SKILL TRAINING

Skill Development Training Policy, 2026 

1. Background:

1.1    As per the Main Objects of NSFDC’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association [Clause-III(A)(2)], the mandate of NSFDC is, inter-alia, “to upgrade skill and process used by SCs, to setup, run and manage production, training, quality control, process development, technology and common facility centres or units and to collaborate or tie-up with other agencies, firms and enterprises for the purpose.”

1.3    The NSFDC Skill Development Training Policy was last revised in 2011 and 2016, and since then it has provided the framework for skill development activities of the Corporation, with modifications from time to time. 

1.3    The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSD&E) has notified Common Norms for Skill Development Schemes being implemented by various agencies of the Government of India, which are effective from 1^st April, 2016 and amended from time to time. The Common Norms pertain to post training placement, standards for inputs/ output, funding/ cost norms, third party certification and assessment cost, etc. 

1.5    These Common Norms have been incorporated in the NSFDC Skill Development Training Policy 2026, and it will supersede the Skill Development Training Policy, 2016. 

2. Aims and Objectives: 

2.1    To adopt an integrated outcome – based approach for fulfilling skilling needs of the Scheduled Castes Persons and improve their socio-economic conditions through employability. Further, measures would be taken for continuous improvement in the quality of the skill development programmes by adopting National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) – a competency based framework. 

2.2    To Mobilize additional financial resources for skill training from profit making Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), Philanthropic Organizations and other Organizations out of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds and/or  from any other funds.

3. Eligibility: 

3.1    The person should be from Scheduled Castes Community. There is no annual family income criterion.

3.2    The age of the candidate should be between 18 to 45 years as on the date of Selection.

4       Policy Framework for Skill Development: 

The framework outlines paradigms and enablers to achieve the objectives.

4.1    Quality:

The following parameters shall be adopted by NSFDC for improving the quality of skill development training and to ensure that the national standards are met:

4.1.1 Adoption of Common Norms for Skill Development Schemes implemented by Government of India:

NSFDC shall adopt the major provisions of the Common Norms subject to applicability of norms of SDS and availability of resources for implementation of skill development training programmes.

4.1.2 Adoption of the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF):

All the courses/training programmes shall be National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant and employment oriented until and unless there are some exemption (in case of MSME Courses) with appropriate directives of the Government.

4.1.3 Curriculum / Courses :

To ensure  that  the curricula  is  in  sync  with emerging market demands and aligned to latest National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Qualification Packs (QPs) for various Job Roles, NSFDC would be implementing Government of India and Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) approved courses so that persons are accordingly trained. 

4.1.4   Outcome of Skill Development Training Programmes:

The most critical outcome of skill training is employment, whether self or wage- employment. To assess quality of skill training, this critical outcome will need to be monitored objectively. NSFDC would be following the placement norms as prescribed in the Common Norms issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, from time to time. Post-completion of training, tracking of trainees for at least six months, will be made for all skill development training programmes.

4.2    Selection of Training Institutes/Providers:

The Training Institutes will be selected out of the Government / Semi-Government / Autonomous Institutions and Universities/Deemed Universities for conducting its sponsored skill development training programmes.

4.3    Quantum of Assistance:

Under Skill Development Training Scheme, NSFDC would provide financial assistance in the form of grants to cover the entire operational expenses of the training programmes. In addition, (i) in case of Non-Residential Training Programmes, stipend @ Rs.1,500/- per month per candidate would be provided during the training programme to meet their incidental expenses, subject to overall 80% attendance. The Stipend would be paid to the eligible trainees through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), (ii) in case of Residential Training Programmes, the Boarding and Lodging Cost shall be included in training cost of the Training Institutes.  The cost of the training programmes, (including On the Job Training, if any) and Boarding & Lodging cost shall be governed by the Common Norms issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Govt. of India, from time to time.

Further, for OJT, if any, the Training Institutes will be paid 50% of the applicable base hour cost per candidate.

4.4    Training Programmes/Job Roles:

Employment oriented NSQF compliant Job Roles or the courses having potential for employment and exempted from NSQF by any appropriate Government directives, shall be considered for sponsoring by the NSFDC. Further, skill gap analysis conducted by National Skill Development Corporation shall also be factored into for selection of the courses.

4.5    Duration of the Training Programmes:

The Duration of the Skill Development Training Programmes would be as per National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)/National Occupation Standards (NOS) issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Govt. of India, from time to time.

4.6    Sanction of Training Programmes:

Every Year, based on available funds/annual targets, proposals will be invited from the preferred Training Institutes. A Project Appraisal Committee (PAC), duly constituted for the purpose, will examine and assess the proposals, make recommendations based on the suitability of Training Programmes, Locations and funds available etc. The recommendations of the PAC will be submitted to the Competent Authority for approval. Upon approval, the Financial Sanction Letters containing the Terms & Conditions of the sanction and other details viz. Number of Trainees, State/UT, Location/District of Training Programmes, Name of the Training Programmes, Duration of the Training Programmes, Total Training Cost etc. would be issued to the Training Institutes for implementation of sanctioned SDTPs in letter and spirit.

4.7    Release of funds to the Training Institutes:

The funds will be released to the Training Institutes on mile-stone basis, as per the Common Norms issued by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, from time to time.

4.8    Channelizing Agencies:

Channelizing Agencies (CAs) of NSFDC will continue to play an important and effective role in proper selection of the trainees. Further, post-training, the CAs can also support the trainees by providing them access to financial assistance under NSFDC Schemes for setting-up micro enterprise level start-ups for their Self-employment on sustainable basis. 

4.9    Promotion of skilling amongst Women:

NSFDC shall endeavor to cover 40% women candidates in its sponsored skill development training programmes for the target group. 

5       Funds for implementation of Skill Development Training Programmes:

NSFDC shall mobilize funds for sponsoring of employment oriented Skill Development Training Programmes from the its own sources i.e. @ 10% of the Excess of Income Over Expenditure (EoIOE) of the previous financial year. 

6. Monitoring of the Skill Development Training Programmes:

Concurrent monitoring of the Training Programmes will be carried-out by the Staff/Officers of the NSFDC by visiting the Training Centers and/or using Video Conferencing.

7. Evaluation for implementation of Skill Development Training Programmes: 

Third Party Evaluation Studies, on sample basis, would be commissioned every year for ascertaining the relevance and outcome of skill development training programmes and its impact on the socio-economic condition of the candidates covered.