The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is implementing skill development, education and rehabilitation schemes to promote socio-economic mobility and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and disadvantaged communities across the country. Programmes target Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis through specialised implementing corporations and empanelled training institutes.

Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana, or PM-DAKSH, provided skill training and placement support through the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation and the National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation, with training institutes required to secure at least 70 per cent placement before release of final instalments. From 2024–25 PM-DAKSH has been merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Evaluations of SHRESHTA and PM-AJAY showed improved retention, reduced dropout rates and higher pass percentages among Scheduled Caste students, with narrowed caste and gender gaps. The SHRESHTA evaluation covered 41 districts across six regions and found that during 2023–24 a total of 15,816 beneficiaries were covered nationally, including 4,135 under Mode?I and 11,681 under Mode?II. Districts such as Dhenkanal and Khordha in Odisha recorded high enrolment and consistent pass rates.

Since 2007–08 a total of 911 hostels have been sanctioned under the hostel component of PM-AJAY for 74,749 beneficiaries, with 177 hostels sanctioned for 14,634 beneficiaries in Odisha and 774 hostels completed nationwide. A small number of sanctioned hostels were cancelled and amounts refunded by state governments, and the ministry provided annexures detailing trained and placed candidates for 2021–22 to 2023–24.

Third-party evaluations of PM-DAKSH reported strong relevance of training, high learning effectiveness and positive long-term livelihood outcomes, with over 90 per cent of beneficiaries reporting alignment with career goals and local labour market needs and noting gains in confidence and social recognition. The ministry supplied the information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.