PM VIKAS Scheme: Full Form, Objectives, Features

PM VIKAS scheme is a Central sector scheme under the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA). It aims to provide skill development, entrepreneurship, and leadership training to minority and artisan communities across India. PM VIKAS scheme has four key components and is expected to benefit approximately 9 lakh candidates during the 15th Finance Commission Cycle (2025-26).

PM VIKAS Scheme Full Form

The full form of the PM VIKAS scheme is Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan. The scheme highlights the government’s focus on preserving traditional arts and crafts while supporting the growth and development of minority communities.

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What is the PM VIKAS Scheme?

The PM VIKAS Scheme (Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan) is a government initiative aimed at skilling, entrepreneurship, and leadership training for minority and artisan communities across India. It focuses on preserving traditional arts and crafts while providing opportunities for socio-economic development.

PM VIKAS scheme consolidates five pre-existing initiatives:

1. Seekho aur Kamao
2. USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development)
3. Hamari Dharohar
4. Nai Roshni
5. Nai Manzil

By merging these schemes, PM VIKAS aims to provide comprehensive support to minority and artisan communities. Further, it integrates with the Skill India Mission and works in collaboration with other ministries such as Tourism, Women & Child Development, Panchayati Raj, and Education for holistic development in minority-concentrated areas.

PM VIKAS Scheme Objectives

The primary objectives of the PM VIKAS Scheme are:

• Skill Development: To provide targeted skill training in need-based courses, enhancing the employability and livelihood opportunities of minority and artisan communities.
• Educational Support: To offer formal education and certification up to 8th, 10th, and 12th grades for school dropouts from these communities through open schooling, improving literacy rates.
• Leadership and Entrepreneurship: To empower women from minority and artisan communities and train 2 lakh women, with 10,000 becoming business mentors (‘Biz Sakhis’).
• Cultural Preservation: To preserve and promote traditional arts and crafts, including the propagation of literature, documents, and manuscripts, ensuring their continuity and relevance in contemporary markets.
• Infrastructure Development: To create model, sustainable art and craft villages that integrate arts with tourism and commerce, generating livelihood, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities for these communities.

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PM VIKAS Scheme Components

The PM VIKAS Scheme comprises four main components:

Component 1: Skilling and Training 

1. Traditional Training sub-component (previously known as USTTAD and Hamari Dharohar).
2. Non-traditional Skilling sub-component (previously known as Seekho aur Kamao). 

Component 2: Leadership and Entrepreneurship (previously Nai Roshni).

Component 3: Education (previously Nai Manzil).

Component 4: Infrastructure Development (through Hub and Spoke Villages).

PM VIKAS Scheme Features

The PM VIKAS Scheme includes several key features:

• Targeted Beneficiaries: The scheme focuses on minority and artisan communities, with a special emphasis on women and youth, ensuring inclusive growth.
• Comprehensive Skill Development: Offers traditional and non-traditional skill training as per market demands.
• Credit Linkages: Facilitates connection to loan programs offered by the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) to aid beneficiaries in securing financial assistance.
• Educational Support: Provides formal education and certification for school dropouts (up to 8th, 10th, and 12th standards).
• Market Linkages: Proposes market linkages through the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) to enhance livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries.
• Art & Craft Village Model: Will establish Vishwakarma Villages using a 'Hub and Spoke' model to support artisans and their crafts.

These features collectively ensure that the PM VIKAS Scheme not only addresses immediate socio-economic needs but also lays a foundation for sustainable development and cultural preservation.

In conclusion, the PM VIKAS scheme is a comprehensive initiative aimed at uplifting minority and artisan communities through skill development, education, leadership, and entrepreneurship.