Govt Focuses on Skilling Youth for a Viksit Bharat: Minister Highlights Textile Ministry Initiatives

New Delhi: The Government of India is unwavering in its commitment to equipping the nation’s youth with skills and tools to drive India towards becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, stated Minister of State for Textiles, Pabitra Margherita. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, the Minister outlined transformative initiatives by the Ministry of Textiles, including the SAMARTH Scheme, which aims to enhance employability in the evolving textile sector.

Margherita emphasized the success of the SAMARTH Yojana, under which:

• Training Provided: 3.48 lakh individuals trained, with 79% placed in jobs.
• Women Beneficiaries: 3.6 lakh women have received training under the program, accounting for 88% of the total beneficiaries.
• Inclusivity: The scheme has reached marginalized communities, with 26% Scheduled Caste (90,320 individuals) and 12% Scheduled Tribe (42,857 individuals) beneficiaries.

The Ministry is also advancing the Dakshta Aur Kushalta Vikas initiative to boost skills in technical textiles, supported by a grant of ₹6.27 crore for 12 startup projects.

Margherita highlighted the role of the National Technical Textiles Mission in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in technical textiles. Startups are encouraged to undertake research and develop solutions in this field, aligning with the Ministry’s vision of empowering the industry through advanced technology and innovation.

The Minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership for consolidating India’s skilling ecosystem under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Key achievements since 2014 include:

• Establishment of 36 Sector Skill Councils representing 40,000 companies.
• Expansion of ITI infrastructure with dual training systems and CSR-driven skilling initiatives.
• Growth in startups, with India now hosting the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, featuring 118 unicorns valued at $354 billion.

The textile industry, the second-largest employer after agriculture, employs approximately 4.5 crore people. The Ministry aims to double this figure to 10 crore jobs by 2030 while targeting an industry market size increase from USD 165 billion to USD 350 billion.

The Minister detailed the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, which provides comprehensive support to artisans and craftspeople across 18 trades. Drawing from the scriptures, Margherita reiterated the government’s commitment to honoring India’s traditional skills and craftsmanship.

The Minister also spotlighted the recently launched PM Internship Scheme, with a financial outlay of ₹2 lakh crore, set to provide 1 crore internships to Indian youth. He emphasized the importance of leveraging India’s demographic advantage, with the nation’s median age of 28.7 years presenting significant opportunities for economic growth and global leadership.

Highlighting the government’s aim to achieve a $30 trillion economy by 2047, Margherita stressed the importance of fostering skill development, promoting startups, and advancing India’s position as a global leader in textiles and beyond.