PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana

PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana

Why in News? 

Recently the Prime Minister announced the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana during Independence Day celebrations. It aims to support young people getting their first private sector job. The scheme reflects better career opportunities for youth.

What is PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)?

• • The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is a government initiative introduced in August 2025 to encourage employment in the private sector. 
  • It focuses on young individuals who are starting their first job and aims to provide financial support for their early career journey. 
  • The scheme was announced by the Prime Minister during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort in New Delhi. 
  • This program is seen as a part of a larger vision to promote skill-based employment and reduce the gap between education and job opportunities.

• Background: India’s youth population is one of its strongest assets. As per the 2021 census estimates, more than 62% of the population falls within the working-age group of 15–59 years. However, unemployment among fresh graduates remains a pressing challenge. In response to this, the government launched the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana in August 2025. The timing of the launch aligns with the government’s broader employment generation strategies under the Viksit Bharat mission, which envisions India as a developed nation by 2047.

• Purpose: The purpose of the scheme is twofold. First, it provides a direct incentive to youth who secure their first private sector job. Second, it motivates private companies to onboard fresh talent without hesitation. The scheme bridges the financial gap that many fresh employees face when starting work, such as relocation costs or initial expenses before the first salary. The scheme helps in improving job retention rates and building confidence among new recruits.

• Key Features: The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana comes with specific features that make it distinct. 

• It is targeted only at first-time employees in the private sector, meaning individuals who have never worked in any registered company before. 

• The incentive amount is ₹15,000, given as a one-time payment directly into the beneficiary’s bank account. 

• The scheme is fully funded by the central government and implemented through the Ministry of Labour and Employment. 

• A digital application process ensures that eligible candidates can apply without physical paperwork. 

• Verification is carried out using Aadhaar-linked employment records to confirm that the applicant is indeed a first-time employee.

• Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility criteria for the scheme are designed to reach those who need it most. 

• Applicants must be Indian citizens aged between 18 and 25 years. 

• They should have secured employment in a private sector organisation registered with the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). 

• The individual should not have any prior work history in a registered company. 

• Students who have recently completed their graduation, diploma, or vocational training programs form the largest target group. 

• Special focus is given to candidates from rural areas, as they often face greater financial challenges when relocating for work in cities.

• Implementation Process: The implementation of the scheme follows a structured process. Once a candidate joins a private company, the employer uploads the employment details to the EPFO database. The candidate then submits an online application on the government portal for the scheme. The system cross-checks Aadhaar and EPFO data to ensure eligibility. After verification, the government releases the incentive directly to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The process is designed to be completed within 30 days of joining the job. A grievance redressal mechanism is also available for applicants who face issues during verification or payment.

• Incentive Distribution: The incentive amount of ₹15,000 is disbursed as a single payment. This ensures that beneficiaries can use it immediately for essential expenses such as accommodation deposits, commuting, or buying work-related materials.

• The government has set a target of covering over 10 lakh beneficiaries in the first year. 

• Monitoring is carried out using a real-time dashboard accessible to authorised officials. Regular audits ensure transparency in fund allocation and prevent misuse. 

• The scheme also collects feedback from beneficiaries and employers to assess its impact and improve its design for future phases.

Impact and Future Prospects

The introduction of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is expected to encourage young people to actively pursue private sector opportunities. It reduces the hesitation many graduates feel when entering the job market due to financial constraints. Over time, the scheme could lead to better skill utilisation, higher productivity, and increased confidence among first-time workers. The government plans to review the program annually and expand it to include more categories of employment if it proves successful. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of transforming India into a developed economy by 2047 through inclusive employment growth.