Performance Audit on Skill Development under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship

Findings

1. Across three phases against an outlay of ₹14,449 crore, ₹10,194 crore was released and ₹9,261 crore spent; against a target of 1.32 crore candidates, 1.10 crore were certified.

   “During three phases of PMKVY against total scheme outlay of ₹14,449 crore, ₹10,194 crore was released of which ₹9,261 crore was utilised and against total targets of 1.32 crore candidates, 1.10 crore were certified.”Executive Summary

2. Of the 56.14 lakh candidates certified under the short-term training and special project components, 23.18 lakh — 41 per cent — were placed. In Kerala, training partners produced incorrect placement documents as proof of placement.

   “Analysis of PMKVY data also revealed that out of the total candidates certified under STT/SP components of PMKVY (i.e., 56.14 lakh), 23.18 lakh candidates (i.e., 41 per cent) were placed. In Kerala, incorrect placement documents were produced by Training Partners as proof of placement of candidates.”Executive Summary

3. There was no micro-level skill-gap information, no long-term implementation strategy and no National Skill Development Plan, and the trainings actually run were not in line with the skill-gap studies that did exist.

   “For PMKVY implementation, there was an absence of micro-level skill-gap information, long-term implementation strategy, and National Skill Development Plan. Further, sectoral, and State-wise trainings under PMKVY were not in line with skill-gap studies.”Executive Summary

4. Candidates were enrolled ignoring the age, education and work-experience criteria the guidelines prescribe, and there was no mechanism to verify that those enrolled were the unemployed youth and school or college dropouts the scheme targets.

   “Analysis of PMKVY data revealed that candidates for skill training under PMKVY were enrolled by ignoring their age, education, work experience related specific criteria prescribed in the guidelines/qualification packs. Mechanism for onboarding/verifying targeted beneficiaries i.e., unemployed youth and school/college dropouts was also not available.”Executive Summary

5. After the audit pointed it out, the ministry recovered ₹12.16 crore of interest retained by the National Skill Development Corporation, which had also overcharged ₹24.13 crore in administrative expenses in the scheme's first phase.

   “After being pointed out by Audit, Ministry recovered interest of ₹12.16 crore retained by NSDC. Further, in respect of PMKVY 1.0, NSDC had overcharged administrative expenses of ₹24.13 crore from the Ministry.”Executive Summary

6. Under the Recognition of Prior Learning component, the Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system was not being followed, and in 24 inspected training centres biometric devices were either not installed or not working.

   “In respect of RPL component of PMKVY, Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) was not being followed. Inspection of Training Centres (TCs) revealed that, in 24 TCs, biometric devices were either not installed or were not working.”Executive Summary

Fact-checks citing this report

• ◑Lacks contextWe will take up skill development on a mission mode, at an unprecedented scale — launch a 'National Multi-skill Mission'.
• ✕Not supported by auditSkill Development: We will formulate a 'National Policy for Reskilling and Upskilling' to evolve a flexible and industry-responsive workforce which is capable of accessing new opportunities and to insulate it from technological shocks.