On flagship skill scheme blacklist: Empty centres, claims, counter-claims, few takers (178 PMKVY centres blacklisted, 41 FIRs filed after multi-layered checks), Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship blacklisted 178 skill training centers under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 in October 2025 for non-adherence to norms.
• 41 FIRs were registered due to serious irregularities like falsification of attendance records.
• The PMKVY 4.0 has trained approximately 27.08 lakh candidates across 38 sectors.
• The blacklisting has affected not only the centers but also several Skill Sector Councils (SSCs).

Detailed Insights:

• The blacklisted centers represent a small fraction of the 12,840 functioning under PMKVY 4.0, but highlight structural challenges in the skilling initiative.
• Common issues include show-cause notices, de-branding orders, withheld payments, and FIRs, leading to the closure of many centers.
• Some centers claim that discrepancies were due to inspector errors, trainer illness, or unforeseen circumstances like floods.
• The All India Training Providers Association (AITPA) reports confusion due to the blacklisting process, affecting Training Partners (TPs) with multiple centers.
• A key challenge for NSDC partners is ensuring consistent daily attendance, with inspectors noting low attendance and weak capacity-building as common problems.
• The monitoring guidelines issued before the launch of the fourth version of the scheme in 2022 states that a final decision on cases of blacklisting or suspension is taken by NSDC’s internal monitoring committee as per the “approved penalty grid.”

Key Concepts Involved:

• PMKVY (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana): A flagship skill development scheme by the Indian government to provide vocational training.
• NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation): An organization that implements PMKVY and promotes skill development.
• SSC (Skill Sector Council): Autonomous, industry-led bodies set up by the NSDC to identify skill gaps and develop training programs.