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PM-DAKSH Yojana 2026: Free Skill Training and Monthly Stipend for SC, OBC, EWS, DNT Candidates

Updated: October 22, 2026By Sarkari Yojana Team100 views
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Scheme for: Individual Scheme category: Skills & Employment Tags: Skill, Training, Employment, Stipend, Scheduled Caste, Other Backward Class, Economically Weaker Section
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हिन्दीमराठीবাংলাગુજરાતીதமிழ்తెలుగుಕನ್ನಡമലയാളംਪੰਜਾਬੀଓଡ଼ିଆঅসমীয়া

PM-DAKSH Yojana of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment gives free skill training and a stipend to SC, OBC, EWS, DNT community members, Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers. Department of Social Justice and Empowerment said in a report on 22 October 2026 that the scheme was subsumed under PMKVY from 2024-25, as its job roles were already covered there. From 2020-21 to 2023-24 it trained 1,87,305 candidates and placed 96,162. Registration runs online through Skill India Digital Hub and pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in.

Full name of the scheme is Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi. Candidates aged 18 to 45 years can join short-term courses, up-skilling programmes, long-term training or entrepreneurship development programmes. Training cost is fully paid by the government and a stipend of ₹500 to ₹2,500 is given based on category and course type.

PM-DAKSH Yojana 2026 Details

PM-DAKSH scheme was launched in 2020-21 by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to give better job and business skills to SC, OBC, EWS and DNT community members along with Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers. Under this scheme, four types of skill training are run: short-term training, up-skilling or re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), long-term training, and entrepreneurship development programme. Total budget outlay of about ₹450 crore was approved for the scheme period, with target to train more than 2.71 lakh candidates.

Training courses match the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF), so the certificate you get is accepted by industry. Popular courses include tailoring, food processing, furniture making, computer courses, plumbing, electrical work, beauty and wellness, and many local trades. For sanitation workers and waste pickers, courses focus on safe waste handling and occupational health. This scheme works along with other skill schemes like PMKVY 4.0 to give more options to candidates from weaker sections.

Training Categories and Stipend Under PM-DAKSH

Different training tracks give different stipends based on category. Here is how the payments work.

Up-skilling and Re-skilling (RPL) is made mainly for Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers, and also for SC, OBC, EWS and DNT candidates who are already working in a trade. RPL training runs for around 35 hours to fit around your regular work. For Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers, stipend is ₹500 to cover wage loss during training. For SC, OBC, EWS and DNT candidates in the up-skilling programme, payment is ₹2,500 per person per programme.

Short-Term Training is for candidates looking for a job or self-employment in high demand fields. Non-residential trainees get a monthly stipend of ₹1,500 for SC candidates, ₹1,000 for OBC, EWS and DNT candidates, and ₹1,500 for Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers. For residential courses, free boarding and lodging is given within CCN norms, and Safai Karamcharis get ₹500 per month on top of that.

Long-Term Training is for deeper skill training in trades that need more time to master. Stipend pattern is same as short-term training. This helps candidates get proper industry-level skills for stable jobs.

Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) is run through National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and other partner institutes for candidates who want to start their own small business or self-employment work.

PM-DAKSH Yojana Highlights

Detail Information
Scheme Name PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi)
Launched By Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India
Launched In 2020-21
Who Can Apply SC, OBC, EWS, DNT candidates, Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers
Age Group 18 to 45 years
Training Cost Free (fully paid by government)
Monthly Stipend ₹500 to ₹2,500 based on category and course
Application Mode Online
Official Website pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in
Registration Portal skillindiadigital.gov.in

Who Can Apply for PM-DAKSH 2026

To apply for training under PM-DAKSH, candidates must meet the below basic conditions.

  • You must be an Indian citizen aged between 18 and 45 years to enrol in any training programme.
  • You should belong to SC, OBC, EWS, DNT community, or be a Safai Karamchari, waste picker or their dependent to qualify.
  • For OBC and EWS candidates, family income should be below ₹3,00,000 per year. No income limit is fixed for SC, DNT and Safai Karamchari candidates.
  • An Aadhaar card and a bank account linked to Aadhaar are required for stipend payment through DBT.
  • Registration on Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is required before applying to any course.

You must keep at least 70% biometric attendance during training to appear for the final assessment. If you fail on the first attempt, one free re-assessment chance is given. Each candidate can take this government-sponsored training only once in a lifetime.

How to Apply Online for PM-DAKSH Yojana 2026

Registration for PM-DAKSH is fully online through Skill India Digital Hub. Follow the steps given below to register and pick a course near you.

STEP 1 - Go to Skill India Digital Hub at skillindiadigital.gov.in and click on the Register button given at the top-right corner of the homepage.

STEP 2 - Select the Learner or Participant option from the choices shown on screen, enter your 10-digit mobile number and click Continue.

STEP 3 - Verify your mobile number using the OTP received on your phone and set a strong password of your choice for future login.

STEP 4 - Log in with your mobile number and password, then finish e-KYC using your Aadhaar to complete profile verification on the portal.

STEP 5 - Visit the PM-DAKSH student portal at pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in/student, search available courses near your area, check duration and stipend details, then click Apply on the course you want and submit the form. Course start date and other updates will come on the portal and your registered mobile number.

Documents Required for PM-DAKSH Registration

Before you start registration, keep the following documents ready in scanned or clear photo format.

  • Aadhaar card as identity and address proof
  • Recent passport size photograph
  • Caste or community certificate issued by competent authority
  • Income certificate (only for OBC and EWS candidates)
  • Age proof such as birth certificate or school leaving certificate
  • Educational qualification certificates
  • Occupation certificate for Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers
  • Bank passbook of an Aadhaar-linked bank account

Helpline and Official References

For any question, help with registration or complaint about training, candidates can contact the implementing agency listed on the official PM-DAKSH portal or write to the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment through socialjustice.gov.in. Complete scheme rules can be checked from the official Scheme Guidelines PDF on the ministry website.

FAQ's

Is PM-DAKSH Yojana running in 2026?

As per the department's report of 22 October 2026, PM-DAKSH was subsumed under PMKVY from 2024-25. Its job roles are covered under PMKVY, so check training batches on skillindiadigital.gov.in.

Which ministry runs PM-DAKSH Yojana?

Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment runs this scheme through Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, along with implementing agencies like NBCFDC, NSFDC, NSKFDC and NIESBUD.

What is the age limit for PM-DAKSH?

Candidates between 18 and 45 years can apply for training under PM-DAKSH.

How much stipend is paid under PM-DAKSH?

Monthly stipend is ₹1,500 for SC candidates, ₹1,000 for OBC, EWS and DNT candidates, and ₹1,500 for Safai Karamcharis in non-residential short-term training. Up-skilling programme pays ₹2,500 per person to SC, OBC, EWS and DNT candidates and ₹500 to Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers.

Is PM-DAKSH training free of cost?

Yes, training is fully free. Full cost is paid by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through grant-in-aid to partner institutes.

What is the official website of PM-DAKSH?

Official portal is pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in. Registration first happens on Skill India Digital Hub at skillindiadigital.gov.in.

Can I take PM-DAKSH training more than once?

No, a candidate can take this government-sponsored training only once in their lifetime.

What is the minimum attendance required?

You need at least 70% biometric attendance during training to appear for the final assessment.

Who issues the Occupation Certificate for Safai Karamcharis?

Local revenue officers, municipal officers, gazetted officers or heads of government departments can issue the Occupation Certificate for Safai Karamcharis and waste pickers.

Is there a re-assessment chance if I fail?

Yes, one free re-assessment chance is given to candidates who do not clear the assessment on the first attempt.

Related Latest Updates

22 Oct, 2026, 6:03 PM PM-DAKSH trained 1.87 lakh candidates, now merged with PMKVY from 2024-25

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment said in a report released on 22 October 2026 that PM-DAKSH trained 1,87,305 candidates between 2020-21 and 2023-24, and 96,162 of them got jobs or started work. From 2024-25, the government subsumed the scheme under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), because its training job roles were already covered there.

Spending in those four years was ₹309.5 crore against ₹276.47 crore allotted. PM-DAKSH gave free skill training to SC, OBC, EWS and DNT candidates, plus sanitation workers and waste pickers. It ran through three corporations: NSFDC, NBCFDC and NSKFDC.

Training institutes had to place at least 70% of trained candidates in a job or self-employment. Missing that target meant losing the third instalment, which was 30% of the training cost. Candidates looking for training now can check batches on skillindiadigital.gov.in.

21 Oct, 2026, 2:44 PM PM-DAKSH Aadhaar authentication rules reported; alternative ID allowed for enrolment

A Gazette notification dated 16 October 2026 from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reportedly sets out Aadhaar-based authentication rules for enrolment under the Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (PM-DAKSH) scheme. The reported rules cover identity verification for applicants whose Aadhaar authentication fails, and for those who have not been assigned an Aadhaar number. Official sources have not turned up the Gazette document so far. So the exact provisions still need to be confirmed.

PM-DAKSH is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020-21. It gives free skill training, upskilling and entrepreneurship programmes to eligible people from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, EWS families, De-Notified Tribes and sanitation worker communities such as waste pickers. The ministry lists the general age group as 18 to 45 years. OBC and EWS applicants need an annual family income below ₹3 lakh, while SC, Safai Karamchari and DNT applicants have no income limit.

Identity verification is not the same as eligibility. An applicant who clears authentication through another document still has to meet the category, age and income rules. The list of accepted documents, the verifying authority and the safeguards should be checked in the Gazette text before anyone relies on a particular document. Scheme details are on the PM-DAKSH page on the ministry website, and registration is done on the PM-DAKSH portal.