Government data reveals a sobering truth: less than 15 % of the 1.6 crore candidates trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) since 2015 have secured employment just 24.3 lakh placements. Initially, about 56.9 lakh individuals certified under the Short-Term Training phase saw 43 % job placement a disparity tied to evolving program structure and tracking.

PMKVY 4.0 has shifted its emphasis from direct placement to broader career empowerment supporting self-employment, entrepreneurship, and diverse career paths via initiatives like the Skill India Digital Hub, Rozgar Melas, and Apprenticeship Melas.

To address persistent gaps between training and real-world job demand, the government is conducting district-level skill-gap studies and launching state-specific training programs. Tools like the National Credit Framework, on-the-job training models, and third-party evaluations have been introduced to monitor quality and inform future adjustments.

This growing dissonance between skill-building and actual employment outcomes underscores the urgent need for recalibrating the PMKVY’s mandate ensuring it truly equips youth for the changing job landscape.