The government’s flagship skill initiative, PMKVY 4.0, has made remarkable progress, certifying training for 27.08 lakh youth across 38 sectors in 36 states and 732 districts as of early December 2025. This data from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship spotlights a transformative phase in youth empowerment.
From April 2024, the program targeted critical industries—IT, aerospace, agriculture, rubber, leather, tourism—reaching 7.5 lakh+ youth in 34 states and 670 districts. Evolving from a pilot scheme, PMKVY now embodies a demand-led model, with four phases building a comprehensive skilling framework.
Forward-thinking updates include 77 specialized modules and 102 novel designations in cutting-edge domains like AI, green energy, Industry 4.0, and digital services. Implementation involves 15,500+ centers, prominently 7,000 skill hubs in schools, colleges, ITIs, and newcomers like IITs, IIMs, NITs, and public enterprises.
Budgetary heft backs the effort: Rs 1,652.89 crore expended by September 2025, with Rs 200 crore earmarked for a national trainer-assessor cadre via NCVET protocols on SIDH. Certifications reached 34,505 trainers and 13,844 assessors by November 2025.
Vocational infrastructure booms too—ITIs from 9,977 to 14,682 (adding 4,605), enrollments from 9.5 lakh to 14 lakh+. NSTIs rose to 33 from 25, ITOTs to 120 from 11, with 17,475 seats approved. This ecosystem equips India’s youth for global competitiveness, fueling sustainable development and job creation.