AI SummaryPradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a central sector scheme by the Ministry of Minority Affairs that brings together five earlier programmes to support six notified minority communities across India. The scheme focuses on skill training, women entrepreneurship, education for school dropouts, and heritage preservation through a single unified platform.
As of 2026, the scheme has begun full implementation with a budget outlay of ₹267.29 crore for 2025-26 (revised estimate ₹200 crore) and a target to train about 1.51 lakh beneficiaries across states and union territories. The ministry has also signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT Patna to strengthen training quality and industry linkages.
Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan - Introduction
PM VIKAS merges Seekho aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, USTTAD, and Hamari Dharohar into one central sector scheme. It aims to provide socio-economic support to Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis through four main pillars: skilling in traditional and modern trades, leadership and entrepreneurship training for women, formal education via the National Institute of Open Schooling, and infrastructure development under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram.
The scheme covers 44 training partners running 506 training centres across 32 states, with 1,264 batches already created and 75,600 candidates enrolled in 69 different job roles. Unlike centrally sponsored schemes, the entire funding comes from the central government, and proposals are invited from central and state agencies, industry bodies, and institutions of national importance to run projects.
Key Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Skills & Employment, Social Welfare & Empowerment, Education & Learning, Business & Entrepreneurship |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual, Artists |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Minority Affairs |
| Tags | Skill Development, Women Entrepreneurship, Education of School Dropouts, Socio-economic Empowerment, Minorities |
Benefits
The scheme provides the following support to enrolled candidates:
- Hands-on skill training in both ancestral crafts and contemporary job roles aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework.
- Education bridging to help complete 8th, 10th, or 12th standard schooling through NIOS with a 40% pass-rate target.
- Specialized leadership training and business support for women entrepreneurs through Biz Sakhis mentoring and career counselling.
- Monthly stipends during training — ₹3,000 for traditional skilling, ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 for modern skilling depending on residency status, and ₹200 per day for women leadership programmes.
- Placement target of 75% for modern skilling graduates, with at least 50% in the organised sector.
- Opportunity to showcase skills at Lok Samvardhan Parv fairs and access credit linkages for self-employment.
Eligibility
To benefit from this scheme, you should meet the following requirements:
You must belong to one of the six notified minority communities. Your age should be between 14 and 45 years for skilling or education components, and between 18 and 45 years for women leadership programmes. For admission, your educational qualifications will follow the standard NSQF or NIOS criteria depending on the specific course you select.
The scheme reserves a significant portion of its seats for women: at least 33% for skilling, 50% for education, and 100% for leadership components. A 3% reservation is also allocated for persons with disabilities. Limited inclusion of economically weaker section candidates from other communities is allowed — 25% in traditional components and 15% in other components.
Application Process
You should complete your online application process via the SIDH portal by following these steps:
STEP 1 - Go to the official SIDH Portal, register as a learner, and verify your profile with e-KYC.
STEP 2 - Set your profile details, secure your account with a PIN, and verify your mobile number.
STEP 3 - Search for Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan and explore available courses using filters like sector and mode.
STEP 4 - Select up to five batches that match your interest and submit your application online.
STEP 5 - Once the training partner reviews your details, accept the enrolment invitation on your dashboard to confirm your spot.
Documents
When preparing for your application, keep the following documents ready:
- Your Aadhaar card and an Aadhaar-linked bank account (mandatory).
- An EWS certificate, if you are applying under the non-minority quota.
- Relevant educational marksheets that prove you meet the eligibility for your chosen programme.
References
PIB Press Release February 2026
FAQ's
What components does the scheme support?
The scheme supports skilling in traditional and non-traditional trades, women leadership and business training, open schooling education for school dropouts, and community infrastructure development through PMJVK convergence.
What topics are covered in the training?
You can train in any skill registered under the National Qualification Register (NQR) and approved by the National Skill Qualification Committee, covering both traditional crafts and modern sectors.
Is there a financial stipend available?
Yes, the scheme provides monthly support based on the training type — ₹3,000 for traditional skilling, ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 for modern skilling depending on residency status, and ₹200 per day for women leadership programmes.
Will I receive placement assistance?
Yes, your training centre is tasked with ensuring at least 75% placement for modern skilling graduates in relevant industries, with at least 50% in the organised sector.
Who is eligible to apply?
Indian nationals from the six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis) are eligible. Limited seats for EWS candidates from other communities are also available — 25% in traditional components and 15% in other components.
Where can I find the official registration link?
You should visit the official SIDH Portal to register and apply for courses.
How do I finalize my enrollment?
After finding a course, apply for a batch on the portal. Once the training partner approves your request, simply accept the invitation from your user dashboard.
What is the budget allocation for PM VIKAS in 2025-26?
The scheme has an outlay of ₹267.29 crore for 2025-26 with a revised estimate of ₹200 crore. The previous year 2024-25 had an outlay of ₹255.43 crore with a revised estimate of ₹30 crore.
What is the training target for 2026?
The ministry has assigned a target to train about 1.51 lakh beneficiaries across states and union territories. Major allocations include Uttar Pradesh (18,080), Jammu & Kashmir (14,960), Punjab (16,800), and Assam (12,020).
What is the Lok Samvardhan Parv?
Lok Samvardhan Parv is a cultural fair initiative under PM VIKAS where artisans and trained beneficiaries can showcase their skills and products. The framework and template for states and UTs to organize these events were released in February 2026.
Has there been any new partnership in 2026?
Yes, the Ministry of Minority Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT Patna in April 2026 to build capacity through modern and traditional skilling, education, entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage preservation.