Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana - Recognition of Prior Learning

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship runs Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 which includes the Recognition of Prior Learning component for workers with existing skills but no formal certificate. The scheme covers 20 lakh youth across 2023 to 2026 period with new age sectors like AI, drones, EV and cybersecurity now part of the training roster.

If you have been working in a trade for years without any paper to show for it, this scheme helps you get assessed and certified. The certification opens up better job options and can also help with career growth in your current role. You do not need to sit through a full course - the assessment checks what you already know.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana - Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a certification component under PMKVY 4.0 that lets Indian workers turn their on-the-job experience into a government recognised skill certificate. The scheme focuses on people working in unorganised sectors who have practical skills but no formal qualification. Project Implementing Agencies including private bodies, government institutions and sector experts run the programme through five models - RPL camps, employer premises, demand based, best in class employers and online RPL.

You get 12 hours of orientation as part of the process. If there are knowledge gaps, the agency may also offer bridge courses of up to 68 extra hours covering domain skills, soft skills and entrepreneurship basics. The maximum duration for RPL including upskilling is 132 hours. All guidelines and any updates are published on the official PMKVY website at msde.gov.in and the Skill India Digital Hub at skillindiadigital.gov.in.

Key Information

Benefits

When you complete the certification, you receive several benefits designed to support your career growth:

• Cash Reward: You get a monetary reward of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 on successful completion of assessment and certification under PMKVY 4.0.
• Accidental Insurance: You receive a 1-year accidental insurance cover with premium of Rs 14.16 paid from the scheme funds.
• Graded Certificate: You get a skill certificate with marksheet showing Grade A (85 percent and above) or Grade B (70 percent to less than 85 percent) based on your assessment score.
• RPL Kit: For RPL camps, employer premises and demand based models, you receive a kit with a standard PMKVY T-shirt or jacket, a cap and study material for your job role.

The scheme runs through five project types. RPL Type 1 runs in camps at locations where workers of a sector gather like industrial or traditional skill clusters. RPL Type 2 happens at employer premises for industrial employees. RPL Type 3A works through District Skill Committees which mobilise 200 candidates per district in one job role at designated PMKK centres. RPL Type 3B uses the Demand Aggregation Portal where any individual can request RPL at an available centre for a job role. RPL Type 4 is for best in class employers where only assessment happens with no orientation module. RPL Type 5 is online RPL open to all skill seekers for specific job roles where theory and practical can be done online with remote proctoring through video link and AI support.

Eligibility

You can participate in Recognition of Prior Learning if you meet these criteria:

• You must be an Indian citizen.
• Your age should be between 18 and 45 years. Special approval from the PMKVY Executive Committee or State Level Empowered Committee is needed for higher age groups.
• You must have prior experience in the specific job role for which you want certification, as defined by the Sector Skill Council for that role.
• You must hold a valid Aadhaar card and have an Aadhaar linked bank account.
• You should meet any additional work experience criteria set by the Sector Skill Council for your chosen job role.

Application Process

STEP 1 - Go to the official Skill India Digital Hub at skillindiadigital.gov.in/pmkvy-landing and register as a candidate. STEP 2 - Choose your preferred job role from the list of available sectors which now include AI, IoT, drone technology, robotics and digital marketing along with traditional trades. STEP 3 - Select the RPL type that fits your situation - camp based, employer premises, demand based through District Skill Committee, demand based through DAP, best in class employer or online RPL. STEP 4 - Complete your registration on the Demand Aggregation Portal at admin.skillindiadigital.gov.in/rpl-dap for Type 3B and Type 5 online RPL. STEP 5 - You will undergo a remotely proctored online assessment using a video link and AI support for online RPL, or visit the designated centre for physical assessment for other types. STEP 6 - On passing with 70 percent or more marks, you receive your graded skill certificate, marksheet, cash reward and insurance cover.

Documents

Keep these documents ready for the registration and assessment process:

• Proof of identity - Aadhaar card
• Proof of address
• Proof of prior work experience as required by the Sector Skill Council for your job role
• Aadhaar linked bank account details
• Passport size photographs

References

PMKVY 4.0 Official Details on MSDE Website

Skill India Digital Hub PMKVY Landing Page

Download PMKVY 4.0 Official Guidelines PDF

Demand Aggregation Portal for Online RPL Registration

FAQ's

How does the assessment work for Online RPL?

For Online RPL Type 5, you appear for a remotely proctored assessment from your location using a video link and AI enabled support. No physical centre visit is needed for this type.

What is the amount of the cash reward?

Under PMKVY 4.0, every candidate who successfully clears the assessment gets a monetary reward of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 depending on the job role and training hours.

Are there any fees for registration?

No, there is currently no registration, assessment or certification fee for candidates under Online RPL Type 5.

Can I apply if I am over 45 years old?

The standard age limit is 18 to 45 years. If you are older, the Project Implementing Agency needs to get special approval from the PMKVY Executive Committee or State Level Empowered Committee.

What is the pass percentage for certification?

You need to score 70 percent or more marks to get the skill certificate. Core NOS gets 70 percent weightage and non-core NOS gets 30 percent weightage in the final score.

Whom should I contact for help?

For programme and policy issues, you can send an email to rplpmkvy3.0@nsdcindia.org. For Skill India Portal issues, raise a ticket through the portal helpdesk.

What are the new sectors added in PMKVY 4.0?

PMKVY 4.0 now covers 30 plus sectors including new age areas like Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, drone technology, robotics, cybersecurity, electric vehicles and digital marketing along with traditional trades.

How long is the RPL training duration?

The minimum orientation is 12 hours. With upskilling, it can go up to 132 hours maximum. Bridge courses up to 68 hours can be added for RPL Type 1 and Type 2 based on need.