About this skills scheme
The scheme aims to certify the existing skills of experienced candidates. Through this scheme, free assessment, upskilling, certification, and insurance are provided to Indian candidates.
Implemented between FY 2022-2026 under the "Skill India Programme", the scheme component "Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 – Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)" by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India aims to certify candidates who already possess prior-learning experience or skills, with emphasis on upskilling and horizontal skilling within the same NSQF level, so that they obtain industry-relevant skill certification. Through this scheme component, pre-screening, mandatory orientation/training, assessment, and a graded skill certificate, along with one-year accidental insurance and a T-shirt, are provided to candidates with prior learning experience or skills who are willing to get assessed and certified. The scheme is implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the implementing arm of MSDE, through Recognition of Prior Learning Project Implementing Agencies (RPL-PIAs) responsible for overall execution, with assessment and certification by NCVET-approved Awarding Bodies (ABs) and Assessment Agencies (AAs).
Benefits at a glance
| Scheme name | Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 – Recognition Of Prior Learning (PMKVY - RPL) |
|---|---|
| Launched by | Ministry Of Skill Development And Entrepreneurship |
| Launch year | 2015 |
| Benefit type | Composite (cash plus goods or services) |
| Category | Skills |
| Level / State | Central · All India |
| Official portal | pmkvyofficial.org (link at the end of this page) |
Key facts
| Scheme type | Central Sector Scheme |
|---|---|
| Scheme for | Individual |
| Application mode | Offline / Online |
| Last date | Ongoing (no last date notified) |
| DBT (direct bank transfer) | Yes |
| Age | 18 to 59 years |
Who can apply (quick check)
- 👤All genders
- 🎂Age 18 to 59 years
- 📝Offline / Online
Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.
What you receive
- Industry-relevant skill certification for candidates with prior learning experience or skills, through due assessment.
- Mandatory training/orientation of a minimum of 30 hours in a classroom setting, with the maximum duration of RPL being 132 hours.
- Pre-screening of candidates by certified trainers to assess their existing level of learning; no payment is charged to the candidate for pre-screening.
- Assessment and Certification, with a payout of Rs. 600 per candidate per assessment provided to the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) / Awarding Bodies for overseeing and facilitating final assessments.
- Accidental Insurance with one year of coverage, paid from the scheme (as per prevailing rates, Rs. 14.16).
- A T-shirt is provided to the trainee by the RPL-PIA at its own cost.
- A graded Skill Certificate and Marksheet on passing, with the grade awarded as Grade A (85% and above) or Grade B (70% to less than 85%).
Conditions associated with the benefits:
- The pass percentage for a Qualification Pack (QP) is 70%; a candidate must achieve marks greater than or equal to 70% to be awarded the Skill Certificate.
- Marks scored in the Core National Occupational Standards (NOS) of a QP are given 70% weightage, and the remaining 30% weightage is from the Non-Core NOS.
- Certification is at the same NSQF level as determined during pre-screening.
- AEBAS-based compulsory attendance is applicable, and more than 70% biometric attendance is required to appear for the assessment.
Indicative average unit (per-candidate) cost by RPL type
- RPL with upskilling (30 hours) at an Accredited and Affiliated Training Centre: Rs. 3,126.18 per candidate.
- RPL with upskilling (30 hours) at Industry premises: Rs. 2,826.18 per candidate.
- RPL with upskilling (60 hours) at an Accredited and Affiliated Training Centre: Rs. 3,962.88 per candidate.
- RPL with upskilling (60 hours) at Industry premises: Rs. 3,662.88 per candidate.
(Note on the base cost: a fixed cost of Rs. 2,000 per candidate applies for RPL at an Accredited and Affiliated Training Centre and Rs. 1,700 for RPL at Industry premises for 12 hours of training; the reduction of Rs. 300 at Industry premises is owing to availability of infrastructure and lower mobilisation cost. Additional hours beyond 12 are paid at the discounted Common Norm of Rs. 27.89 per hour.)
Mode of disbursement: Funds are transferred directly to the RPL-PIA's bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
Frequency / time of disbursement: Payment is made in two tranches: Tranche 1 — 80% on assessment results being uploaded by the assessing body; Tranche 2 — 20% on submission/uploading of the Monthly Performance Report (MPR) and proof of certificate handover (with or without the distribution ceremony).
Who qualifies
- The applicant should be an Indian national.
- The applicant should possess a valid Aadhaar.
- The applicant should be in the age group of 18 to 59 years.
- The applicant should be a candidate with prior learning experience or skills, willing to get assessed and certified.
- The applicant should have prior experience in the job role for which RPL certification is being sought, as specified in the job role.
- The applicant should fulfil the eligibility criteria of the respective job role.
- The applicant should not be enrolled again in the same job role in which he/she was already trained earlier.
- The applicant, if already certified once under PMKVY, opting for a lower NSQF-level course in the same sector, shall be discouraged; however, a higher job role in the same sector is permitted.
- The applicant may enrol not more than twice in the same sector, with a six-month gap between the certification date of the first course and the batch start date of the subsequent course.
Who is not eligible
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Papers to keep ready
- Aadhaar Card (for eKYC and mobile-based One-Time Password (OTP) profile verification).
- Supporting Documentation and Evidence of Prior Experience / Prior Learning (the personal information required and the supporting documentation available for the job role are specified by the respective Sector Skill Council).
Registration walkthrough
Offline
The interested candidate can contact the nearest Training Center to apply.
Training Center:
https://www.pmkvyofficial.org/trainingcenter
Online
The applicant first registers on the Skill India Digital (SID) platform or the mobile application developed for the purpose; profile verification is completed through mobile-based OTP / eKYC, and a de-duplication check is carried out.
The applicant is counselled by the PIA/trainer on areas including a brief about MSDE, the Skill India programme, and RPL processes; eligibility for RPL certification; benefits and how to avail them; possible career progression (vertical and horizontal); and employment opportunities. The Induction Video on RPL is also shown at this stage.
Stage 1: The applicant is pre-screened by the Awarding Body through a robust process to ascertain the existing level of prior learning. This includes Part 1 (collection of supporting documentation and evidence from the candidate) and Part 2 (assessment of the candidate's previous knowledge). No payment is charged for pre-screening.
Stage 2: The candidate's experiential learning outcomes are categorised as equal to or more than 70% of the qualification learning outcomes, or as less than 70%.
Stage 3: The applicant undergoes a minimum of 30 hours of classroom orientation, either General Orientation (with modules for Employability Skills, Career Progression, Opportunities for formal education, etc.) or Orientation with NOS (with modules for NOS, Employability Skills, Career Progression, etc.). The maximum duration of RPL is 132 hours.
Stage 4: The applicant undergoes assessment (Theory and Practical), conducted by the Awarding Bodies, equivalent to STT assessment, with AEBAS-based compulsory attendance.
Stage 5: On passing with at least 70% marks, the applicant is awarded a graded (A/B) Skill Certificate and Marksheet, issued via DigiLocker, an email/phone download link, and the SID profile page.
Important dates
| Launch / start | 15 Jul 2015 |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) under PMKVY 4.0?
RPL is a component under which candidates who already have prior learning experience or skills are certified through due assessment, enabling them to obtain industry-relevant skill certification. The emphasis is on upskilling and horizontal skilling within the same NSQF level.
Who is eligible to apply for RPL?
An Indian national possessing a valid Aadhaar, in the age group of 18 to 59 years, who has prior learning experience or skills and is willing to get assessed and certified. The applicant must have prior experience in the job role for which RPL certification is sought and must fulfil the eligibility criteria of that respective job role.
Is there any mandatory training under RPL?
Yes. All candidates under RPL must undergo mandatory training of a minimum of 30 hours in a classroom setting. The maximum duration of RPL is 132 hours.
What are the stages involved in the RPL process?
There are five stages:
Stage 1 — Pre-Screening by the Awarding Body;
Stage 2 — categorisation of the candidate's experiential learning outcomes (equal to or more than 70%, or less than 70%, of qualification learning outcomes);
Stage 3 — Orientation/training (General Orientation or Orientation with NOS, minimum 30 hours);
Stage 4 — Assessment (Theory and Practical); and
Stage 5 — Certification on passing with at least 70% marks.
Do I have to pay for pre-screening?
No. Certified trainers pre-screen candidates to assess their existing level of learning, and no payment is charged to the candidate for pre-screening.
What is the pass percentage and how is the score calculated?
The pass percentage for a Qualification Pack (QP) is 70%. Marks scored in the Core National Occupational Standards (NOS) carry 70% weightage in the total score, and the Non-Core NOS carry the remaining 30%.
What certificate will I receive on passing?
On achieving at least 70%, the candidate is awarded a graded Skill Certificate and Marksheet — Grade A (85% and above) or Grade B (70% to less than 85%). Certification is at the same NSQF level determined during pre-screening, and a QR-code-based digital certificate is issued through DigiLocker, an email/phone download link, and the Skill India Digital profile page.
Is attendance mandatory during RPL?
Yes. AEBAS-based (Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System) compulsory attendance is applicable, and more than 70% biometric attendance is required for a candidate to appear in the assessment.
What support or benefits do I get under RPL?
The candidate receives free assessment and certification (with Rs. 600 per candidate per assessment paid to the SSCs/Awarding Bodies), accidental insurance with one year of coverage, and a T-shirt provided by the RPL-PIA at its own cost.
Where do I register to apply for RPL?
Candidates register on the Skill India Digital (SID) platform or the mobile application developed for the purpose. Profile verification is done through mobile-based OTP (eKYC), followed by counselling by the PIA/trainer and the pre-screening process.
Submit your application yourself on the official portal; it costs nothing. Treat anyone demanding money to "get you approved" as a scam.
- Online link skillindia.nsdcindia.org
- Official Website www.msde.gov.in
tsmpb.in is not affiliated with any government department. Apply only on the official portal and never pay anyone for an application.
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