Director PM VIKAS reviews Education, Non-Traditional Skilling initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Director, Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS) Scheme, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, Neha Giri, undertook field visits to PM VIKAS training centres in Bijbehara, Anantnag and Karan Nagar, Srinagar, on 11–12 November 2026, to review implementation of the various components of the Scheme.

Director, PM VIKAS visited the Education Component Centre at Darul Aloom Noori Irfam, Guree, Bijbehara, District Anantnag, being run by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD).

During the visit, she interacted with trainees, trainers and centre staff and reviewed the learning activities being undertaken under the Education Component. She emphasised the importance of open-school learning in enabling school dropouts to resume and complete their education and encouraged the trainees to make effective use of the opportunity available under PM VIKAS Scheme.

The trainees also shared their learning experiences and aspirations for continuing their education. Under the Education Component of PM VIKAS Scheme, eligible school dropouts are provided an education bridge programme to facilitate open schooling at the Class VIII, X and XII levels, with assessment and certification through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) or other institutions approved by the Ministry.

The visit was attended by officials of the Social Welfare Department, including Mushtaq Ahmad Maqdoomi, Deputy Director, Social Welfare, Kashmir, and Aadil Iqbal Lone, District Social Welfare Officer, Anantnag. NIESBUD was represented by  Aabid Nisar Shah, State Head, J&K, along with the Centre Coordinator, trainers and other officials. The Director also visited the PM VIKAS Training Centre at Karan Nagar, Srinagar, being run by ITI Limited under the Non-Traditional Skilling Component.

She inspected the training facilities and interacted with trainees undergoing training in the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned job role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Technocrat. The Director emphasised the growing importance of industry-relevant technical and practical skills in emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence and encouraged the trainees to make optimum use of the training opportunity to enhance their employability and career prospects.

The Non-Traditional Skilling Component of PM VIKAS focuses on NSQF-aligned, placement-linked training in non-traditional and emerging sectors, with emphasis on industry exposure, assessment, certification, On-the-Job Training and employment linkages. Training is provided free of cost to eligible beneficiaries with financial support from the Ministry of Minority Affairs.

The trainees shared their experiences and the skills acquired during the programme. The Director encouraged them to successfully complete their training, assessment and practical exposure and to utilise the opportunities provided under the Scheme for their professional advancement.

The Srinagar visit was attended by Mukhtar Ahmad, District Social Welfare Officer, Srinagar. ITI Limited was represented by  Ashfaq Ahmad, Coordinator, along with trainers and centre staff. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) was represented by Kahkashan Anjum, State Engagement Officer for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

The two-day field visit provided an opportunity for the Ministry to interact directly with trainees, trainers, Project Implementing Agencies and officials of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and review implementation of PM VIKAS interventions at the field level.

PM VIKAS is an integrated Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, aimed at promoting the socio-economic and educational development of minority communities through skilling and training, education, women leadership and entrepreneurship, and infrastructure development.