Nai Roshni Scheme was a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs for leadership development of minority women. It has now been merged into Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme from the financial year 2022-23, where it continues as the leadership and entrepreneurship component.
Under Nai Roshni, minority women aged 18 to 65 years get training to build leadership skills, learn about financial literacy, health, legal rights and digital skills, and take up leadership roles in their communities. The scheme works with NGOs, civil societies and government institutions across the country.
Nai Roshni Scheme and PM VIKAS
The objective of Nai Roshni Scheme is to help and build confidence among minority women, including their neighbors from other communities living in the same village or locality. It does this by giving knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with government systems, banks and other institutions at all levels.
Helping women is very important in the fight against poverty, for economic growth and for a stronger civil society. Women and children are often the worst sufferers in a poor family and need support. Helping women, especially mothers, matters even more because it is in the home that she nourishes and shapes the character of her children.
The effort would turn minority women to move out of the confines of their home and community and take on leadership roles and assert their rights, both together and alone, in getting services, facilities, skills and opportunities. They can also claim their due share of the development benefits of the government for improving their lives and living conditions. Nai Roshni Scheme works with the help of NGOs, civil societies and government institutions all over the country.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Nai Roshni (Leadership Development of Minority Women) |
| Launched By | Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India |
| Launched Year | 2012-13 |
| Beneficiaries | Minority women aged 18 to 65 years |
| Current Status | Merged into PM VIKAS from FY 2022-23 |
| Official Website | pmvikas.minorityaffairs.gov.in |
Training Modules in Nai Roshni Yojana
Nai Roshni Scheme includes various training modules that help minority women gain confidence and skills. The main modules are given below.
- Leadership of women: This module trains women to take up leadership roles in their community and take part in decision making.
- Educational programs: It creates awareness about the value of education for women and their families.
- Health and hygiene: This module teaches women about good health practices, nutrition and cleanliness.
- Swachh Bharat: It promotes cleanliness and sanitation practices in homes and villages.
- Financial literacy: This module helps women learn how to manage money, use banks and save for the future.
- Life skills: It builds self-confidence, communication and decision making skills among women.
- Legal rights of women: This module makes women aware of their legal rights and how to claim them.
- Digital literacy: This module teaches women how to use digital tools and online services.
- Advocacy for social and behavioral change: This helps women raise their voice against exploitation and bring change in society.
How to Apply Under PM VIKAS
Since Nai Roshni is now a part of PM VIKAS, women who want to apply for leadership and skill training can do so through the PM VIKAS portal. The Ministry of Minority Affairs runs the official website at pmvikas.minorityaffairs.gov.in for scheme details and guidelines.
For skill development training under PM VIKAS, online applications are invited from minority community candidates. The application portal at pm-vikas.iitdh.ac.in accepts applications for free training programs. Candidates need to attach their Aadhaar card, passport size photo, class ten certificate as age proof, graduation certificate, bank passbook and minority community certificate.
Under the PM VIKAS training, 33% seats are reserved for girl students and up to 15% for non-minority candidates from the EWS category. Selected candidates get free training, hostel facilities where needed, certification and a monthly stipend through DBT mode.
For more details on related central schemes, check the Minority Welfare Schemes List and the Seekho aur Kamao Scheme which is also now part of PM VIKAS.
FAQ's
Is Nai Roshni Scheme still running?
Nai Roshni Scheme has been merged into PM VIKAS from the financial year 2022-23. It now continues as the leadership and entrepreneurship component of PM VIKAS.
Who can apply under Nai Roshni?
Minority women aged 18 to 65 years from the six notified minority communities are eligible. Women with an annual income up to ₹2.50 lakh get preference in selection.
What is the official website for Nai Roshni?
The old portal nairoshni-moma.gov.in is no longer in use. The current official portal for the merged scheme is pmvikas.minorityaffairs.gov.in.