Why in NEWS
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) launched a new skilling and women entrepreneurship initiative under the PM VIKAS scheme, targeting 150 youth for IoT training and 300 women for entrepreneurship development, with stipends and industry linkages.
Key Terms and Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| PM VIKAS Scheme | MoMA initiative for skilling, entrepreneurship, and leadership training for minorities and artisans |
| IoT (Internet of Things) | Network of physical devices connected via the internet to share data |
| Minority Concentrated Areas | Regions with high population of notified minority communities |
| Biz Sakhis | Women trained under PM VIKAS to mentor and establish businesses |
| NSQF | National Skills Qualification Framework – a structured skill certification framework |
Key Features of PM VIKAS
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Target Group | Six notified minorities – Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Buddhists, Jains, Zoroastrians |
| Components Integrated | Combines USTTAD, Seekho aur Kamao, Nai Roshni, Nai Manzil |
| Implementation | Through Skill India Mission and Skill India Portal |
| Industry Collaboration | Focus on job roles with market relevance and employment potential |
| Credit Support | Through NMDFC-linked financial assistance for trained individuals |
Major Components of the Scheme
| Component | Objective & Coverage |
|---|---|
| Traditional Training | Training in traditional crafts and languishing art forms (USTTAD) |
| Non-traditional Skilling | Market-driven NSQF-compliant training (Seekho aur Kamao) |
| Leadership & Entrepreneurship | Basic entrepreneurial skills and leadership among women (Nai Roshni) |
| Education Support | Bridge courses for school dropouts via NIOS certification (Nai Manzil) |
Collaborating Ministries
| Ministry | Role in Convergence |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Tourism | Promotion of crafts and artisanship |
| Ministry of Women & Child Development | Support for female trainees and entrepreneurs |
| Ministry of Skill Development | NSQF compliance and training standards |
| Ministry of Panchayati Raj | Local governance and implementation support |
| Ministry of Education | Bridge education and certification support |
In a nutshell
PM-VIKAS = Skilling + Entrepreneurship + Heritage
Mnemonic: VIKAS
Value
Indigenous
Knowledge
And
Skills
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following is NOT part of the PM VIKAS integrated components?
A. Nai Roshni
B. SHREYAS
C. Seekho aur Kamao
D. Nai Manzil - Under PM VIKAS, what is the term used for women mentors who promote entrepreneurship?
A. Udyam Sakhis
B. Skill Shaktis
C. Biz Sakhis
D. Mission Shaktis - PM VIKAS is primarily implemented by which Ministry?
A. Ministry of Skill Development
B. Ministry of Women & Child Development
C. Ministry of Minority Affairs
D. Ministry of MSME
Mains Questions
- Discuss the role of PM VIKAS in socio-economic empowerment of minority communities in India. 10 Marks
- How does convergence with schemes like Skill India Mission enhance the impact of minority welfare initiatives like PM VIKAS? 10 Marks (GS2 – Government Schemes, Welfare for Vulnerable Sections)
Prelims Answers and Explanations
| Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | B | SHREYAS is not part of PM VIKAS; it’s a separate higher education-skilling scheme |
| 2 | C | Women mentors trained under PM VIKAS are known as ‘Biz Sakhis’ |
| 3 | C | PM VIKAS is implemented by the Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) |
