New Delhi: To foster inclusive development and further the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), launched the ‘NAVYA’ programme in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh.
The programme, NAVYA: Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls, was unveiled by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development.
Designed for adolescent girls aged 16 to 18, NAVYA seeks to provide vocational training in emerging and non-traditional sectors, empowering them with skills that can lead to economic independence and entrepreneurial ventures.
Speaking at the launch, Chaudhary underlined that NAVYA is a transformative step, particularly for girls in tribal and aspirational districts like Sonbhadra.
“It’s not just about jobs—it’s about building confidence and enabling self-reliance,” he said.
The programme will use short-term training courses under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), enabling girls identified by MWCD to pursue self-employment or launch small businesses.
Thakur highlighted that NAVYA is a key milestone in empowering young girls to lead lives of dignity and self-belief. In its pilot phase, the programme is being implemented across 27 districts in 19 states, including the Northeastern region and other identified Aspirational districts. Each district will have designated training centres offering vocational courses aligned with market demands.
Skills being imparted under NAVYA include graphic design, telecom and financial services, smartphone and drone assembly, solar PV and CCTV installation and hand embroidery. The programme is being executed through existing platforms such as PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma Yojana.
The launch event also featured certificate distribution for PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma graduates and included interactive sessions with beneficiaries who shared their personal stories of empowerment through skill training.
