Special Initiatives and Budgetary Support for Employment of SC, ST, and OBC
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has announced significant budgetary allocations for various schemes aimed at enhancing the employability of marginalized communities in the financial year 2025-26. With a focus on Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and minority communities, the government is implementing initiatives like the “Welfare of SC/ST Jobseekers Scheme” and the newly approved Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme. These efforts are designed to improve job opportunities and vocational training for these groups, reflecting the government’s commitment to employment generation across all sectors.
Budget Allocations for Employment Schemes
The budget for the Ministry of Labour and Employment for the financial year 2025-26 includes specific allocations for various schemes targeting SCs, STs, OBCs, and minority communities. Notably, the “Welfare of SC/ST Jobseekers Scheme” has been allocated Rs. 20.61 crore. This scheme operates through a network of 25 National Career Service Centres, providing vocational guidance, career counseling, and training to enhance the employability of SC/ST jobseekers. Regular monitoring meetings are held with implementing agencies to ensure the effective execution of these initiatives.
The government has also reported the number of jobseekers registered with Employment Exchanges, highlighting a growing trend in registrations among SC, ST, and OBC communities. For instance, in 2023, provisional data indicates that there were approximately 1,072,000 SC jobseekers, 480,400 ST jobseekers, and 1,780,000 OBC jobseekers. This data underscores the increasing engagement of these communities in seeking employment opportunities.
Employment Linked Incentive Scheme
In a bid to bolster youth employment, the Union Government has introduced the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, which aims to generate jobs and enhance employability across various sectors, particularly in manufacturing. Under this scheme, first-time employees can receive a wage subsidy of up to Rs. 15,000 for one month, while employers can benefit from incentives for creating additional jobs for a period of two years. The ELI Scheme, part of the Union Budget 2024-25, has a total outlay of Rs. 2 lakh crore, with Rs. 99,446 crore specifically allocated to incentivize the creation of over 3.5 crore jobs, including 1.92 crore jobs for first-time job seekers.
This initiative reflects the government’s strategy to stimulate job creation and support economic growth, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which is seen as a critical area for employment generation.
Skilling and Education Initiatives for Minorities
The Ministry of Minority Affairs (MoMA) is actively implementing various skilling and education schemes aimed at the socio-economic development of minority communities. The flagship scheme, Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), focuses on skill development, entrepreneurship, and leadership among minority women, as well as providing educational support for school dropouts. For the fiscal year 2025-26, the PM VIKAS scheme has received a budgetary allocation of Rs. 267.29 crore.
Additionally, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is enhancing skill training through flagship programs like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). These initiatives aim to provide skilling, re-skilling, and upskilling opportunities to all sections of society, ensuring that individuals are equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of the job market.
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