Question 66 from UPSC CSE 2018 - Current Affairs/ Schemes

Question

With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements:
1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labor and Employment.
2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy.
3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. 2 and 3 only

Strategy: - **Statement 1:** Incorrect. The scheme falls under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, not the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
- **Statement 2:** Correct. PMKVY's training components encompass soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial, and digital literacy.
- **Statement 3:** Correct. The scheme is designed to align with the National Skill Qualification Framework.
- Therefore, only Statements 2 and 3 are accurate.

Key Info: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a flagship skill certification scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) via the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). Its primary objective is to enable Indian youth to acquire skills, become employable, and contribute to productivity and economic growth.

Key features of PMKVY include:
*   **Short Term Training:** Provided to school/college dropouts and unemployed individuals, with curriculum aligned to the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
*   **Skill Standardization:** Aims to standardize and certify skills in the unregulated workforce, ensuring alignment with NSQF for industry and government recognition.
*   **Comprehensive Modules:** Training Centres (affiliated with Sector Skill Councils) must include modules on soft skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and digital literacy, in addition to core technical skills.
*   **Nodal Ministry:** The Union MSDE is the nodal ministry, not the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
*   **Additional Features:** Includes Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for existing workers, special projects for unique skilling requirements, and performance-based incentives for training partners.
*   **NSQF Alignment Benefits:** Ensures national mobility of certificates, enhancing employability, career progression, and industry acceptance.
*   **Skill India Mission:** Supports India's broader Skill India Mission by enhancing workforce competence in response to market demands.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 and 3 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: 2 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 1, 2, and 3