PM VIKAS Scheme 2026: Free Skill Training, Stipend up to ₹3,000 & How to Apply

At a glance

About the scheme

Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a central sector scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs that consolidates five earlier schemes: Seekho Aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, USTTAD, and Hamari Dharohar. The programme focuses on the socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities—Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis—along with economically weaker sections. It delivers modern and traditional craft skilling, open schooling education via NIOS, leadership programmes for women, and market linkages, backed by financial stipend support to help candidates build self-reliant careers.

Benefits

• Monthly stipend of ₹3,000 for trainees in traditional skilling programmes
• Monthly stipend of ₹2,000 for non-residential modern skilling trainees
• Monthly stipend of ₹1,000 for residential modern skilling trainees (up to 12 months)
• Monthly stipend of ₹1,000 for learners under the open schooling education component (up to 6 months)
• Stipend of ₹200 per day for candidates in the women leadership and entrepreneurship component
• Free NSQF-aligned training in traditional crafts and modern job roles
• Formal bridge education support to complete Class 8th, 10th, and 12th through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS)
• Minimum 75% placement assistance for modern skilling certified candidates, with at least 50% in the organised sector
• Credit support, e-commerce onboarding, and market linkages for artisans and women entrepreneurs

Who can apply (eligibility)

• Must belong to one of the six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, or Parsis), or non-minority EWS category (up to 25% in traditional skilling, up to 15% in other components)
• Age must be between 14 and 45 years for skilling and education components
• Age must be between 18 and 45 years for the Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship component
• Educational qualification must satisfy NSQF norms for skilling or NIOS norms for the education component
• Women candidates have earmarked quotas: minimum 33% in skilling, 50% in education, and 100% in women leadership and entrepreneurship
• Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) receive a 3% reservation across all components

Who cannot apply

• Candidates outside the age bracket of 14 to 45 years (or 18 to 45 years for women leadership and entrepreneurship)
• Non-minority applicants who do not belong to the Economically Weaker Section (EWS)
• Applicants failing to meet the relevant NSQF or NIOS educational requirements

Documents required

• Aadhaar card
• Aadhaar-linked active bank account details
• EWS certificate (for non-minority candidates)
• Educational qualification certificates relevant to the chosen course

How to apply

1. 1Visit the official SIDH Portal (skillindiadigital.gov.in) and register as a Learner/Participant or log in to complete your e-KYC.
2. 2Set up your profile password or PIN, verify your mobile number through OTP, and confirm personal details.
3. 3Go to the dashboard and search for PM VIKAS schemes and desired job roles using sector and training mode filters.
4. 4Select up to five preferred training batches and submit your application for review by the training centre.
5. 5Accept the invitation on the portal once approved by the training centre to complete your enrolment.

Frequently asked questions