SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has trained 1,22,447 candidates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) over the last three financial years and the current year up to June 30, 2026, with 93,040 candidates certified, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
The figures show that the Union Territory recorded its highest PMKVY activity in 2024-25, when 85,557 candidates were trained and 68,307 certified. This was followed by 28,895 candidates trained and 15,280 certified in 2023-24.
In 2025-26, the number fell sharply to 4,689 trained and 8,523 certified, while 3,306 candidates had been trained and 930 certified in 2026-27 up to June 30.
The Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said PMKVY 4.0, implemented since 2022-23, has introduced more than 600 new-age and futuristic courses in areas including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electronics, green energy, electric vehicles, drones, cybersecurity and robotics.
Across India, around 5.44 lakh candidates had been trained in new-age and futuristic job roles under PMKVY 4.0 as of June 30, 2026.
The Centre said placement tracking was carried out under the first three versions of PMKVY. Of 56.89 lakh candidates certified under the Short-Term Training component between 2015-16 and 2021-22, 24.37 lakh were reported placed, giving an overall placement rate of 42.8 per cent.
For PMKVY 4.0, the government said the focus has shifted towards enabling candidates to pursue varied career pathways, with industry-relevant courses incorporating On-Job Training.
A third-party evaluation of PMKVY 4.0 conducted in 2025 found that the combined share of employed and self-employed Short-Term Training candidates increased from 26.6 per cent before training to 45.4 per cent after training. It also found that 41.4 per cent of STT candidates and 48.9 per cent of Recognition of Prior Learning candidates reported an increase in income following training and certification.
For JK, utilisation of PMKVY 4.0 funds stood at Rs 32.53 crore in 2023-24 and Rs 69.30 crore in 2024-25. It declined to Rs 3.49 crore in 2025-26 and stood at Rs 89 lakh in 2026-27 up to June 30.
The Centre clarified that PMKVY 4.0 is a demand-driven scheme and does not have State-wise fund allocations. Against a combined Budget Estimate of Rs 6,811.30 crore for 2023-24 to 2026-27, the government released Rs 2,392.37 crore.
The Ministry said industry partnerships had been strengthened through the National Skills Qualification Framework, industry-led Sector Skill Councils, mandatory On-Job Training and industry participation in curriculum development and certification.
It added that more than 15 industries had been designated as Awarding Bodies to develop job roles aligned with industry requirements, while the Skill India Digital Hub provides access to employment and apprenticeship opportunities by connecting trained candidates with prospective employers.
