Government Schemes for Unemployment in India | Lucent for GK - UPSC PDF Download

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)

The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana was introduced to encourage self-employment among individuals. This scheme provides collateral-free loans of up to Rs. 10 lakh to small and micro business enterprises, enabling them to establish or expand their business activities. By facilitating easy access to credit, PMMY empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to realize their business dreams.

Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana

Initiated by the Ministry of Labor and Employment in 2016-17, the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana aims to incentivize employers to create new job opportunities. Under this scheme, the government pays the entire employer's contribution (12% or as admissible) towards the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) and Employees' Provident Fund (EPF) for eligible new employees for a period of three years from the date of their registration. This financial support encourages employers to hire more workers, thereby reducing unemployment.

Skill India Mission

The Skill India Mission, implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, focuses on skilling one crore people through Short Term Training (STT), Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), and Special Project (SP) across the country over four years, with an outlay of Rs. 12,000 crore. The scheme offers skill development training to candidates, including those belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, preparing them for better employment opportunities and economic upliftment.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY)

The PMGKY was introduced to alleviate the financial burden faced by employees and employers during the pandemic. Under this scheme, the government contributed both the employer's share and the employee's share (12% each) under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) for the wage month from March to August 2020 for organizations having up to 100 employees, with 90% of such employees earning less than Rs. 15,000. This measure aimed to support businesses and retain employment during the challenging times.

PM SVANidhi

Launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, the PM SVANidhi scheme focuses on providing affordable working capital loans to street vendors affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. Street vendors can avail working capital loans of up to Rs. 10,000, repayable in monthly installments over one year, to help them resume their livelihoods and regain financial stability.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

The MGNREGA, initiated in the 10th five-year plan in 2005 under the Ministry of Rural Development, is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing at least 100 days of unskilled manual work in rural areas to any member above 18 years of age from a rural household. The scheme is a powerful tool to create employment opportunities and improve the economic condition of rural communities.

National Career Service (NCS)

Envisioned to transform the National Employment Service, the NCS provides various employment-related services such as job matching, career counseling, vocational guidance, information on skill development courses, apprenticeships, and internships through an online portal. This one-stop solution, implemented by the Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour & Employment, connects job seekers and employers, fostering a dynamic job market.

National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)

The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-NRLM was launched by the Ministry of Rural Development to promote self-employment and organize the poor in rural areas. This ambitious scheme aims to cover 7 crore households, 600 districts, 6000 blocks, 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, and 6 lakh villages across the country through self-help groups, enabling them to improve their livelihoods and standard of living.

National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM)

Previously known as the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY), the NULM is a scheme initiated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. It targets cities with a population of one lakh or more and aims to decrease poverty, promote self-employment, skilled wage employment, and establish strong grassroots-level institutions. The NULM endeavors to provide essential services and shelter to the urban homeless.

Conclusion

Unemployment poses significant challenges to India's economic growth and social stability. To counter this crisis and boost job creation, the government has launched several welfare programs targeting different sectors of the population. These initiatives not only generate employment but also empower individuals to become self-reliant entrepreneurs. By continuously improving and implementing such schemes, the government strives to build a robust and inclusive economy that benefits all citizens.