NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Minority Affairs convened an implementation review and stakeholder consultation in New Delhi on November 4, 2026, announcing new institutional partnerships to scale vocational training and job placement for minority youth under the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) scheme.
Gathering over 80 participants at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, officials and Project Implementing Agencies (PIAs) reviewed ongoing training outcomes while executing fresh Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) targeting specialized industry needs and traditional crafts.
Under the newly formalized agreements, the Pithampur Auto Cluster (PAC) will train 2,400 individuals in Madhya Pradesh for technical roles, including electric vehicle service technicians, CNC milling programmers, and supply chain executives. Concurrently, the Centre of Excellence for Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) will deliver skill programs to 6,300 candidates across seven states—including Maharashtra, Telangana, and West Bengal—focusing on positions such as AI technocrats, warehouse supervisors, and business analysts.
In Uttar Pradesh, a tie-up with the Institute for Entrepreneurship Development (IED) will prepare 900 candidates to work as solar PV installers under the green energy expansion. Additionally, the Ministry finalized a specialized agreement with the Central University of Kashmir on November 3 to preserve traditional heritage by training 120 artisans in willow craft across Jammu and Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Speaking at the event, Shri Shyama Prasad Roy, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs, emphasized the operational objective of the initiative. “Its theme is ‘Growth through Inclusion,’ and this isn’t just a slogan. It’s our expectation that every beneficiary, whether a girl, a school dropout, or an apprentice, completes skills training, receives a certificate, gets a job, and moves on to a brighter future,” Roy stated.
Deliberations centered on improving verified job placements, post-training monitoring, and operational accountability. Director Neha Giri detailed progress metrics and urged implementing bodies to tighten employer linkages. “We expect all our PIAs to prioritize timely reporting of placement results, employer contacts, and verified placement data,” she remarked.
To strengthen quality control, independent evaluations are being conducted by the Quality Council of India (QCI) alongside the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore. The Ministry is also assessing digital integration through the EkStep Foundation, incorporating automated candidate feedback systems and placement tracking software to improve transparency.
According to an official statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Delhi.
