Why in NEWS
The Government of India has launched the NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) scheme to empower girls aged 16–18 years through skill development in non-traditional job roles.
Key Terms & Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| NAVYA Scheme | Vocational training programme for girls aged 16–18 with Class 10 pass |
| Non-traditional job roles | Jobs where female participation is traditionally low (e.g., welding, coding) |
| PMKVY | Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana—flagship skill training scheme |
| PM Vishwakarma Yojana | Scheme for supporting traditional artisans and craftspeople |
| Aspirational Districts | Districts identified by NITI Aayog for rapid transformation |
About the Scheme
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) + Ministry of Skill Development (MSDE) |
| Target Group | Adolescent girls aged 16–18 years with at least a Class 10 qualification |
| Pilot Coverage | 27 districts across 19 states (includes Aspirational and North-Eastern districts) |
| Focus | Vocational training in non-traditional roles to encourage female participation |
| Convergence | Leverages existing schemes like PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma for implementation |
| Alignment | Supports Viksit Bharat@2047, promoting women-led development |
| Objective | Create a skilled, self-reliant and inclusive female workforce |
Other Key Government Schemes for Adolescent Girls
| Scheme/Policy | Objective/Focus |
|---|---|
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Promote survival, protection and education of girl children |
| Mahila Shakti Kendra | Empower rural women through community participation |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | Small deposit scheme for girl child savings |
| Nirbhaya Fund | Fund for projects to ensure safety of women |
| One Stop Centres (OSCs) | Support to women facing violence (medical, legal, counseling, shelter) |
| 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023 | Grants reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislatures |
In a nutshell
Memory Code: “NAVYA empowers NAVYA-nari in Nayi jobs!”
- NAVYA → Vocational scheme
- NAVYA-nari → Adolescent girl
- Nayi jobs → Non-traditional roles
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which of the following correctly describes the NAVYA scheme recently launched by the Government of India?
A. A nutrition initiative for adolescent girls
B. A scholarship scheme for girls below 14 years
C. A vocational training scheme for girls aged 16–18 years
D. A scheme for promoting girl child adoption - NAVYA scheme is a joint initiative between which ministries?
A. Ministry of Education & Ministry of Labour
B. Ministry of Women and Child Development & Ministry of Skill Development
C. Ministry of Health & Ministry of Education
D. Ministry of Rural Development & Ministry of Labour - Which of the following schemes is NOT directly related to the empowerment or safety of adolescent girls?
A. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana
B. One Stop Centres
C. PM Fasal Bima Yojana
D. Mahila Shakti Kendra
Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss how schemes like NAVYA can contribute to bridging the gender gap in the Indian workforce. (10 marks)
- “Skill development among adolescent girls is essential for women-led development.” Examine with reference to recent government initiatives. (15 marks)
Prelims Answers Table
| Q No. | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | C | NAVYA is specifically for vocational training for girls aged 16–18 years |
| 2 | B | Jointly launched by MWCD and MSDE |
| 3 | C | PM Fasal Bima Yojana is a crop insurance scheme, unrelated to adolescent girls |
