PMKVY Short Term Training 2026 - Free Skill Course, Stipend, Certificate & Placement Under PMKVY 4.0

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is running Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana Short Term Training (PMKVY STT) under PMKVY 4.0 in 2026, and enrollment is open through the Skill India Digital Hub. Registration is free for young Indians aged 15 to 59 years who want a government-certified skill course, a stipend during training, and placement support after finishing.

Cabinet has extended PMKVY 4.0 till 31 December 2026 with a bigger target of training 3 crore youth. As per official updates, over 2.1 crore candidates have already been trained under the scheme so far. Short Term Training now covers 400+ new-age courses in AI, 5G, cybersecurity, drone technology, green hydrogen and EV servicing, along with on-the-job training (OJT) built into most job roles.

PMKVY Short Term Training 2026 - Latest Update

PMKVY Short Term Training is one of the three main parts of PMKVY 4.0, the flagship skilling scheme run by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). It is a free, government-funded skill training program for school dropouts, college dropouts and unemployed youth who want a fast, industry-linked certification that helps them get a job.

Under Short Term Training, you get NSQF-aligned training in a job role of your choice, followed by an assessment, an NCVET-recognised certificate, and placement support from the training centre. The training also includes soft skills, digital literacy, financial literacy, English and entrepreneurship modules, so you are ready for both an Indian job and a role in the modern digital workplace.

One big change under PMKVY 4.0 is that the earlier pmkvyofficial.in portal has been merged into Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) at skillindiadigital.gov.in. All new registrations, course selection, e-KYC, DigiLocker certificate access and training-centre search now happen on this single portal.

PMKVY Short Term Training Registration on Skill India Digital Hub

Registration is fully online and free of cost. You can apply anytime because there is no last date, and Aadhaar e-KYC is now required for verification. Follow these steps to enroll in a PMKVY 4.0 Short Term Training course.

STEP 1 - Open the official Skill India Digital Hub website at skillindiadigital.gov.in on your phone or laptop and click on the 'Register' button on the top right side of the homepage.

STEP 2 - Enter your mobile number, verify it using the OTP sent by NSDC, and then complete Aadhaar e-KYC by entering your Aadhaar number and OTP received on the Aadhaar-linked mobile number.

STEP 3 - Fill your basic details like name, date of birth, gender, address, education qualification and preferred language, and set a strong password for your SIDH account.

STEP 4 - After login, go to the 'Courses' or 'Explore' section, apply the filter for 'PMKVY 4.0', pick your sector and job role, and shortlist a course as per your interest and eligibility.

STEP 5 - Choose a nearby training centre from the list shown for that course, complete the enrollment form, upload the required documents, and submit your application. You can also visit our detailed guide on PMKVY 4.0 online registration for a step by step walkthrough with screenshots.

Eligibility for PMKVY Short Term Training

Short Term Training is meant for young Indians who are looking for their first job or want to switch to a better-paying job role. Basic eligibility rules are simple and open to almost every unemployed youth in the country.

• Age: You should be between 15 and 59 years of age on the date of enrollment. Under PMKVY 4.0 the upper age limit has been raised from 45 to 59 years so that mid-career workers can also reskill.
• Education: You must be a school or college dropout, or an unemployed person with basic reading and writing skills. Some job roles need a minimum qualification like Class 8, 10 or 12, so check the course page before applying.
• Documents: A valid Aadhaar card and an Aadhaar-linked bank account are required. Without a bank account you will not receive the stipend or completion bonus through DBT.

For example, a 22-year-old college dropout from Bihar can apply for a solar panel technician course, while a 35-year-old auto mechanic in Delhi can enroll in an EV servicing reskilling course under the same scheme.

PMKVY Short Term Training Highlights 2026

Benefits Under PMKVY 4.0 Short Term Training

PMKVY Short Term Training gives you much more than just a certificate. It is a full package of free training, financial support, insurance cover and job help so that you can start earning as soon as possible.

Free skill training: Training, assessment and certification are 100 percent free. Course fee is directly paid by the government to the empanelled training centre, so you pay nothing from your pocket.

NCVET-recognised certificate: After you clear the assessment, you get an NSQF-aligned digital certificate issued by NSDC. It is automatically stored in your DigiLocker account and is also available in the 'My Account' section of SIDH portal, so you can share it with any employer online.

Stipend and travel support: For urban Short Term Training, conveyance support of ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month is paid directly to your bank account. For Special Projects in remote or tribal areas, free boarding and lodging is arranged during the training.

Completion bonus via DBT: Successfully certified candidates get a one-time completion incentive of up to ₹8,000 through DBT payment, depending on the training centre and job role, to help with the first few weeks of the job search.

Kaushal Bima insurance: Every certified candidate gets accidental insurance cover of ₹2 lakh for 3 years, at no extra cost, so you and your family stay financially safe during and after training.

Placement support: Empanelled training centres are required to run placement drives with their employer partners. Post-placement tracking allowance and support for PwD (Persons with Disabilities) candidates is also given.

Required Documents

Keep the following documents ready in soft copy before you register on SIDH portal. All uploads must be clear and readable to avoid rejection during verification.

• Aadhaar card with an active mobile number linked to it, since Aadhaar e-KYC is required.
• Bank account passbook or cancelled cheque with your Aadhaar-seeded bank account details for stipend and DBT payments.
• Educational certificates like Class 8, 10 or 12 marksheet as per the minimum qualification of your chosen job role.
• Recent passport-size photograph and, if applicable, a disability certificate for PwD candidates or a caste certificate for reserved category benefits.

New-Age Courses Added Under PMKVY 4.0

PMKVY 4.0 has added 400+ new courses in emerging technology areas so that Indian youth can match the skill demand of new industries. These are in addition to traditional trades like electrician, plumber, beautician, tailor and welder that were already offered in earlier phases.

Some in-demand courses added under PMKVY 4.0 Short Term Training are Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Drone Technology, 5G Network, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Green Hydrogen, Electric Vehicle (EV) Servicing, 3D Printing and Digital Marketing. Curriculum for these courses is available in Hindi, English and 8 regional languages, so you can learn in your own language.

You can check the complete list of trades and job roles in our detailed post on PMKVY courses list and job roles before choosing a course on SIDH portal. If you want to find the nearest empanelled centre, see the state-wise PMKVY training centres list for phone numbers and addresses. You can also check the sector-wise PMKVY training partners list to know which company is running training in your area.

PMKVY STT Attendance and Assessment Rules

To get your certificate and completion bonus, you must maintain a minimum of 70 percent attendance during the course. Assessment is done by a third-party NCVET-approved assessment agency, and the result is uploaded on Skill India Digital Hub. In case you fail, you can appear for one re-assessment as per the training centre's schedule.

For a complete overview of the parent scheme, benefits and history you can also read our main guide on Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

Official Helpline and Support

For any issue with registration, course selection, stipend or certificate, you can call the Skill India helpline number 8800-55-5555 or use the grievance section available inside your SIDH account. Complaints can also be raised at the district-level Skill Information Centre, or by writing to support@nsdcindia.org.

FAQ's

Is PMKVY Short Term Training really free in 2026?

Yes. Under PMKVY 4.0, training, assessment and NSQF certificate are fully free for eligible candidates. The government directly pays the fee to the empanelled training centre, so you do not have to pay anything for the course.

What is the new age limit for PMKVY Short Term Training?

Under PMKVY 4.0, the age range for Short Term Training is 15 to 59 years. The upper limit has been increased from 45 to 59 years, so mid-career workers can also reskill for new job roles like EV servicing or drone piloting.

How much stipend do I get during PMKVY STT?

For urban Short Term Training, a conveyance support of ₹500 to ₹1,000 per month is paid via DBT. In remote and tribal areas under Special Projects, free boarding and lodging is provided. After successful certification, an additional completion bonus of up to ₹8,000 is paid through DBT.

What is the new official website for PMKVY 4.0 registration?

The old pmkvyofficial.in portal has been merged into Skill India Digital Hub. The new official website is skillindiadigital.gov.in, where all PMKVY 4.0 registration, course selection, e-KYC, certificate download and grievance filing happen.

How many job roles are covered under PMKVY 4.0 Short Term Training?

PMKVY 4.0 covers over 5,000 NSQF-aligned job roles across 36+ sectors, including 400+ new-age courses in AI, 5G, cybersecurity, drone technology, green hydrogen and EV. You can see the full list on skillindiadigital.gov.in after login.

Do I get a job after completing PMKVY Short Term Training?

Placement is not guaranteed, but every empanelled training centre is required to give placement support and run placement drives with employer partners. Post-placement tracking allowance is also paid to eligible candidates.

Where can I download my PMKVY 4.0 certificate?

Your PMKVY 4.0 certificate is automatically issued to your DigiLocker account by NSDC. You can also download it from the 'My Account' section on skillindiadigital.gov.in after logging in with your registered mobile number.

Is PMKVY still active or has it been closed?

PMKVY 4.0 is fully active. Cabinet has extended the scheme till 31 December 2026 under the composite Skill India Programme, with a target of training 3 crore youth. PMKVY 5.0 is expected to be launched in early 2027.