Pradhan Mantri Virasat ka Samvardhan

The Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs which converges five erstwhile schemes viz. ‘Seekho Aur Kamao’, ‘Nai Manzil’, ‘Nai Roshni’ and ‘USTTAD’ & ‘Hamari Dharohar’ schemes and focuses on socio-economic empowerment of six notified minority communities (Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis) through the following: i. Skilling and Training (Non-traditional and traditional) ii. Women Leadership and Entrepreneurship iii. Education (through National Institute of Open Schooling) iv. Infrastructure Development (through Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram) Scheme Objectives: The initiative aims to empower minority communities through targeted skill training, formal education via open schooling, and improved livelihood opportunities. It promotes the preservation cultural heritage and traditional arts and crafts. Women from minority communities are empowered through leadership and entrepreneurship support. Market and credit linkages are provided to enhance employability and enterprise. Salient Features: 1) Aims at holistic development of minority communities through skilling, education, entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage preservation. 2) Merges five earlier schemes: Seekho aur Kamao, USTTAD, Hamari Dharohar, Nai Roshni, and Nai Manzil. 3) Focuses on traditional and modern skill training, women’s leadership, education for school dropouts, and infrastructure development. 4) Special emphasis on women, youth, and persons with disabilities from six notified minority communities. 5) Provides financial support, market linkages, and credit access through convergence with other government schemes. 6) 100% central funding for training, education, and entrepreneurship; infrastructure support via Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) on a cost-sharing basis. Target Beneficiaries: 1) Indian nationals belonging to the six notified minority communities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Parsis with following: a. Minority individuals aged 14–45 years for skilling and education; 18–45 years for women leadership and entrepreneurship. b. Women beneficiaries: Minimum 33% in skilling, 50% in education, and 100% in women leadership and entrepreneurship component. c. Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): 3% reservation across all components. 2) Up to 25% non-minority (EWS) candidates may be included in Traditional Skilling and 15% in other components to promote inter-community solidarity. Benefits: 1) Provides skill development in both traditional crafts and modern sectors to enhance employability of minority youth. 2) Empowers minority women through leadership and entrepreneurship training, including support to start enterprises. 3) Offers bridge education for school dropouts to complete classes 8th, 10th, and 12th via open schooling. 4) Facilitates access to credit, market linkages, and e-commerce platforms for artisans and entrepreneurs. 5) Promotes preservation and promotion of traditional arts, crafts, and cultural heritage. 6) Ensures inclusive development by converging with other government schemes and leveraging existing infrastructure.