Delhi Government Rolls Out Rs 50-Crore Skill Programme for Unemployed Youth
Delhi Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced an exciting new initiative on Monday. The Delhi government plans to launch a Rs 50-crore skill development programme aimed at helping unemployed youth find jobs and revive traditional crafts. This programme will run through the Delhi Khadi and Village Industries Board (DKVIB), focusing on training young people, artisans, and preserving India’s rich handloom heritage.
After a key meeting at the Delhi Secretariat, Sirsa shared details about the programme. It targets unemployed youth and artisans, creating job opportunities while keeping age-old crafts like Khadi alive. "Our government is committed to saving the timeless art of Khadi and village industries," Sirsa said. "At the same time, we’re giving our youth the skills they need for tomorrow."
The scheme prioritizes inclusivity. At least 50% of the training spots will go to SC/ST/OBC/EWS groups and women. It will provide toolkits to 2,500 artisans and organize exposure visits for 500 others. Plus, the government will set up training centres in every Delhi district to make access easier.
Looking ahead to 2025-26, the programme aims to train over 13,900 people. Partners like the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), and NGOs will help make this happen. Sirsa highlighted strong job guarantees: 20% of trainees will get support for self-employment, and 50% will land paid jobs.
What kinds of skills will trainees learn? The courses focus on practical, in-demand areas like apparel merchandising, logistics operations, IT help desk support, self-employed tailoring, and Khadi fashion design. To keep things modern, daily classes will cover AI basics, digital tools, marketing strategies, and soft skills. Trainees will also receive Rs 400 per month for up to five months, along with loan assistance and certificates upon completion.
Sirsa, who has led the revival of DKVIB, stressed how this ties into national goals. "We’re blending traditional heritage crafts with AI and digital training," he explained. "This will help create jobs and promote self-reliance, just like Prime Minister Modi’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision." The programme includes a 10-day Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP), which mixes hands-on skill-building with business basics. It follows guidelines from the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to turn small crafts into successful ventures.
Collaborations with NSDC, NIESBUD, and the Apparel Training and Design Centre (ATDC) ensure top-quality training under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. This aligns with India’s self-reliance push, equipping artisans and youth for both traditional crafts and modern markets.
The initiative links up with major national schemes like the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) interest subsidy certifications. These will offer extra support for loans and grants. It builds on recent DKVIB events, such as a fashion show featuring Vedic styles with special textiles from across states.
For 2026-27, the Delhi government plans to expand the skill development programme. They aim to train 5,750 more youth and 8,625 artisans, introduce new courses, and secure funding from CSR initiatives and the central government. This could be a game-changer for Delhi’s unemployed youth, blending tradition with technology for a brighter future.
