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Skill Development Allowance Scheme

SDA

Published: Oct 2026

8 min read

Reviewed by Navin, Editor · First published: 10 Oct 2026

Skill Development Allowance Scheme
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Written by Navin · Editor, tsmpb.inUpdated: 17 Oct 2026 · How we verify scheme facts

About this skills scheme

The Department of Labour & Employment, Government of Himachal Pradesh introduced a scheme of granting Skill Development Allowance to the unemployed youth aims at providing allowance to educated unemployed persons for their Skill upgradation.

The Department of Labour & Employment, Government of Himachal Pradesh introduced a scheme named "Skill Development Allowance Scheme" also known by the name of โ€œThe Himachal Pradesh Payment of Skill Development Allowance to Educated Unemployed Persons Scheme, 2013" with the aim of granting Skill Development Allowance to the unemployed youth aims at providing allowance to educated unemployed persons for their Skill upgradation.

Objective:

  • This scheme intends to provide allowance to eligible educated unemployed Himachali youth for

their skill upgradation.

  • This in turn will enable such youth to develop their skill which in turn will enable them to take up

employment or self-employment in the Sector of their choice, since this scheme empowers the youth

to choose the Sector in which they would like to develop their skill, at the training institute of their

choice.

Key features of this scheme:

  1. Financial Assistance: The scheme provides financial allowances to eligible candidates, covering expenses such as tuition fees, study materials, transportation, and living costs during the training period. This financial support reduces the financial burden on individuals and encourages them to pursue skill development programs.
  2. Enhanced Employability: By promoting skill development aligned with industry requirements, the scheme equips participants with relevant skills and knowledge. This increases their employability prospects, making them well-prepared to meet the demands of the job market and secure gainful employment.
  3. Access to Quality Training: The scheme facilitates access to reputable training institutions and programs, ensuring that participants receive high-quality training. This exposure to quality education and skill-building opportunities enhances the overall learning experience and improves the effectiveness of the training received.
  4. Sector-specific Skill Development: The scheme focuses on various sectors such as healthcare, tourism, agriculture, IT, and manufacturing, recognizing the specific needs and demands of different industries. By targeting sector-specific skill development, the scheme aligns the training with the current and future workforce requirements, increasing the chances of participants finding suitable employment.
  5. Economic Growth and Development: By nurturing a skilled workforce, the scheme contributes to the economic growth and development of Himachal Pradesh. The availability of skilled individuals attracts investments, encourages entrepreneurship, and leads to the creation of more job opportunities within the state, ultimately bolstering the overall economic prosperity of the region.

Benefits at a glance

Scheme nameSkill Development Allowance Scheme (SDA)
Launched byLabour and Employment Department, Himachal Pradesh
Launch year2013
Benefit typeCash (money paid to your bank account)
CategorySkills
Level / StateState ยท Himachal Pradesh
Official portaldget.nic.in (link at the end of this page)

Key facts

Scheme forIndividual
Application modeOffline
Last dateOngoing (no last date notified)
Age16 to 36 years

Who can apply (quick check)

  • ๐Ÿ‘คAll genders
  • ๐ŸŽ‚Age 16 to 36 years
  • ๐Ÿ“Offline

Quick check from official data. Full conditions are in the Eligibility section.

What you receive

Allowance shall be payable to each educated unemployed applicant for a maximum period of two years; subject to fulfilling eligibility criteria & timely submission of attested copies of 8th/matriculation marks sheet/certificate to ascertain age and educational qualification and Affidavit as per form โ€˜Cโ€™, at the following rates:

1. For Physically Challenged person who have minimum 50% permanent disability recorded in her/his

Employment Exchange record (X-I), @ Rs. 1,500/- per month.

2. For all other categories of Persons :- Rs. 1000/- (Rs. One Thousand) per month.

Note:

  • The Allowance shall be credited to the recipient by RTGS/NEFT/ECS through Banks as mentioned in

Application Form, on monthly basis at the cost of the Government.

  • This would be on bank accounts which are verified by Aadhaar number by the bank.

Who qualifies

Subject to the provisions of this Scheme, all educated unemployed applicants shall be eligible for the

grant of Skill Development Allowance, who fulfill the following criteria:

  1. She/He should be unemployed (i.e. neither employed in Govt. sector nor in private sector nor self employed) and should be a Bonafide Himachali.
  2. She/He should have passed minimum 8th from any Board/University/Institution recognized by H.P Govt. There will be no requirement of minimum qualification for admissibility of allowance under the Scheme when applicant wants to pursue training in Sectors such as masonry, carpentry, blacksmithy or plumbing etc.
  3. She/He should be registered with any Employment Exchange in Himachal Pradesh as on the date of application.
  4. Her/His annual family income for the Financial Year immediately preceding date of application, from all sources including that of spouse should be less than Rs. 2.00 Lakh (Rs. Two Lakhs).
  5. She/He should be above 16years and below 36 years of age and in case of widow less than 45 years of age as on the date of application.
  6. She/He should not be self-employed.
  7. The employment under MGNREGA will not be counted as employment.
  8. She/He should not be a dismissed Govt. employee.
  9. She/He should not be convicted of any offence resulting in imprisonment for a period of 48 hours or more.
  10. She/he should be enrolled in a skill development training.

Who is not eligible

The following categories of persons shall not be eligible to receive Skill Development Allowance under this Scheme:

  1. State/Central Government employees and also those of the Public Sector Undertakings, Local Bodies and Quasi-Government Institutions who have been dismissed from service and persons who have been imprisoned for 48 hours or more.
  2. A person who had any income of his own or whose family income from all sources was Rs. 2 lakh or more during the year immediately preceding the date of application and also the period for which Skill Development Allowance is claimed.
  3. A person who is not a Bonafide Himachali.
  4. A person who has not attained the age of 16 years and who has attained the age of 36 years and in case of widow who has attained the age of 45 years.

Papers to keep ready

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Registration walkthrough

Offline

For applying to this scheme, the applicant must ensure that She/He should be registered with any Employment Exchange in Himachal Pradesh as on the date of application.

Application process:

  1. An educated unemployed applicant may make an application on his/her being eligible for the grant of Allowance along with documents mentioned in form โ€˜Aโ€™ to that Employment Exchange in H.P., where his/her name is registered or the Employment Exchange in H.P., in whose jurisdiction the applicant is obtaining training.
  2. A duly completed application form may be sent by post or be delivered at that Employment Exchange in H.P., where his/her name is registered or be delivered at the Employment Exchange in H.P., in whose jurisdiction the applicant is obtaining training against a receipt, as per form โ€™Bโ€™.
  3. After the initial filing of claim in the prescribed form โ€˜Aโ€™, every claimant to the Allowance shall be required to submit Affidavit, as per form โ€™Cโ€™, in the subsequent month of March to the Employment Exchange where his/her name is registered.

Important dates

Launch / start01 Jan 2013

Terms used in this scheme

Definition 1

โ€˜Skill Development Trainingโ€™ means any Training which aims at enhancing the skill &

employability of the applicant.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Skill Development Allowance Scheme?

Any unemployed youth between the ages of 18 and 35, who is a resident of Himachal Pradesh, and has a minimum educational qualification of 10th standard or equivalent, is eligible to apply.

What is the maximum duration of the skill development training under this scheme?

The maximum duration of the skill development training can vary depending on the specific course or program. However, generally, it ranges from 3 months to 1 year.

How much skill development allowance can I receive?

The skill development allowance amount depends on the duration of the training program. For programs up to 3 months, the allowance is Rs. 1,000 per month, and for programs longer than 3 months, it is Rs. 1,500 per month.

Can I apply for multiple skill development courses under this scheme?

Yes, eligible candidates can apply for multiple skill development courses as long as they meet the eligibility criteria and requirements for each course.

Is there any placement assistance provided after completing the skill development training?

Yes, the scheme aims to provide placement assistance to the candidates upon successful completion of their skill development training to help them secure suitable employment opportunities.

Can I apply for the scheme if I am already employed but want to enhance my skills?

No, the scheme is specifically designed for unemployed youth seeking skill development training to improve their employability.

How can I apply for the Skill Development Allowance Scheme?

To apply, candidates need to fill out the application form available on the official website of the Himachal Pradesh government or visit the designated employment exchange office to obtain the application form.

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