Credibility and Acceptance of Skill Certification

2025-07-30 Information

Under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM) , the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres / institutes under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Sikhshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the society across the country. The SIM aims at enabling youth of India to get future ready, equipped with industry relevant skills.

Government has implemented the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) component under PMKVY to assess and certify individuals who have acquired skills through informal means or on-the-job experience. The aim is to align these skills with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) standards, thereby improving employability.

RPL ensures formal recognition of workforce capabilities without requiring formal education or long-term training. It includes orientation, bridge courses, and assessments by third-party agencies. State-wise and year-wise details of candidates trained under RPL component of PMKVY during last five years up to 2024-25 are given at Annexure.

To ensure credibility and industry relevance of certifications, PMKVY follows a rigorous process involving orientation, standardised assessments by third-party assessors, and digital certificate issuance aligned with NSQF levels. Certificates are embedded with QR codes and issued via the Skill India Digital platform, enabling real-time verification by employers.

The curriculum and assessments are developed in consultation with Awarding Bodies and Industry bodies. Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems are in place to assess implementation quality. These steps collectively ensure that the certifications are trusted by employers and meet industry-accepted standards.

The Ministry actively engages with other Central Ministries/Departments, State/UT Governments, Industry Associations, and employers to increase awareness and acceptance of PMKVY certifications. The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) enables easy verification of candidates’ credentials, enhancing transparency and trust. Additionally, regular dialogues with industry associations, employer outreach programmes, and promotion through Rozgar Melas are organised.

NSQF alignment of job roles and third-party assessment ensures the industry’s confidence in certified candidates. Emphasis is also placed on sectors with high employer demand, thus strengthening labour market linkages.

A centralized and robust digital ecosystem exists through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). All skill certifications under government schemes are recorded in SIDH, which enables secure and real-time verification by employers. The certificates contain unique IDs and QR codes that can be accessed and authenticated instantly. This system significantly enhances employer confidence and reduces instances of fraudulent claims. The platform is continuously updated and integrated with DigiLocker to provide long-term accessibility to candidates and recruiters alike, supporting transparent and efficient hiring practices.

Annexure

State-wise and year-wise details of candidates trained under RPL component of PMKVY during last five years up to 2024-25

State/UT

2020-21

2021-22

2022-23

2023-24

2024-25

A & N Islands

400

346

Andhra Pradesh

65,959

8,035

352

2,693

1,760

Arunachal Pradesh

22,955

7,431

1,652

228

Assam

2,50,526

23,366

795

7,737

10,399

Bihar

94,053

7,147

572

1,826

3,653

Chandigarh

1,885

439

Chhattisgarh

13,224

3,889

1,486

Delhi

52,110

7,816

1,065

3,067

4,086

Goa

1,771

153

101

178

Gujarat

50,630

16,758

784

4,543

10,727

Haryana

71,572

8,014

648

3,597

8,858

Himachal Pradesh

13,775

3,219

352

752

1,558

Jammu & Kashmir

71,743

5,600

3,103

3,661

19,169

Jharkhand

61,523

6,264

1,045

1,419

2,726

Karnataka

44,326

11,126

1,293

3,157

6,828

Kerala

28,585

2,674

1,185

734

389

Ladakh

137

Madhya Pradesh

94,862

8,190

1,053

4,972

15,928

Maharashtra

2,08,206

18,588

2,980

5,291

13,914

Manipur

17,658

1,832

524

392

Meghalaya

2,618

1,120

571

761

2,035

Mizoram

1,705

1,621

171

344

1,018

Nagaland

3,934

1,528

1,958

217

1,757

Odisha

82,906

5,788

346

3,292

4,913

Puducherry

1,278

1,072

172

295

Punjab

27,483

6,776

224

865

7,395

Rajasthan

1,90,506

14,762

756

2,883

13,529

Sikkim

226

175

Tamil Nadu

1,05,690

9,699

3,341

6,893

7,075

Telangana

35,083

4,306

425

2,814

4,530

DNH & DD

940

Tripura

32,634

2,863

532

1,342

4,044

Uttar Pradesh

3,22,492

23,865

3,264

11,439

39,346

Uttarakhand

19,000

3,276

249

3,168

3,917

West Bengal

79,934

6,838

868

3,603

4,801

Overall

20,71,838

2,24,236

30,672

81,387

1,97,417

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today