Lok Sabha Question No. 76 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-21
Subject: Improved Access to Education and Training to Empower Women
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Dr. Kirsan Namdeo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 76

ANSWERED ON 21.07.2025

## IMPROVED ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING TO EMPOWER WOMEN

76. DR. KIRSAN NAMDEO:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government concurs with the view that improved access to education and training programmes would empower women with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in traditionally male-dominated industries;
- (b) if  so, the details of the initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (c): The Government of India is taking proactive steps to improve employability of the youth  of  the  nation,  including  women,  through  skill  development.  Under  the  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 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 including women, across the country. The SIM aims at enabling youth of India to get future ready and equipped with industry relevant skills.

To encourage participation of women in skill development programs, special provisions have been  made  for  meeting  expenditure  on  conveyance  and  boarding  &  lodging  as  well  as enhanced post placement support. Further, PMKVY 4.0 prioritizes and provides special focus to projects that emphasize women as primary beneficiaries. Training programs in sectors like Electronics, Retail, Healthcare, Beauty & Wellness, Handicrafts and Apparel are structured to attract higher participation from women. Skill Hubs and Special Projects actively encourage women's  enrolment.  Projects  are  designed  to  align  with  local  skill  demands,  creating opportunities for rural women to participate and benefit from skill development schemes. This inclusive approach ensures significant representation and benefit for women in skill training programs across the country. Also, in NAPS Scheme, the introduction of trades in services sector (Optional Trade) has led to the significant improvement in the women participation in apprenticeship.  The  percentage  of  women  apprentices  has  observed  an  increase  from 22.79% in 2024-25 to 25.80% in 2025-26. Under JSS Scheme; the focus is being given to women and  other  vulnerable  sections.  Women  constitute  more  than  80%  of  beneficiaries under JSS. Also, there are 19 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTI) and more than 300 ITIs exclusively for women. Government of India approved 30% reservation of seats for women candidates in all ITIs (Govt. & Private) in all courses and these seats could be filled based on the general reservation policy of each respective State/UTs.

MSDE  in  collaboration  with  MoWCD  has  launched  a  joint  initiative  named  NAVYA -Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls. NAVYA is a pilot  initiative  aimed  at  equipping  adolescent  girls  aged  16-18  years  with  a  minimum qualification of class 10, with vocational training mainly in non traditional job-roles. Further, MSDE in collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform of NITI Aayog, launched the Swavalambini - a Women Entrepreneurship Programme in February 2025 in the North Eastern States of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and also in Uttar Pradesh and Telangana. The programme aims to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among female students through Entrepreneurship Awareness Training (EAP) and Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP). National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Noida and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati are the implementing agencies for the program.

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