Central Government to launch NAVYA initiative for skill development of teenage girls

The combined launch of NAVYA by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship ( MSDE ) will take place on 24 th June 2025 in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. The pilot comes under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision and its aim of putting a particular spotlight on women-led development in terms of skilling.

Why in the news?

• In Viksit Bharat@2047, the MWCD and MSDE have initiated the NAVYA initiative which will offer non-traditional vocational training to girls of aspirational districts aged 1618.
• It facilitates women development as it equips adolescent girls with skills, certification and economic empowerment within 27 districts gained over 19 states.

About NAVYA Initiative

Objective

• To impart vocational training on non-traditional vocations to adolescent girls between the age 16-18 years, particularly those who have at least the Class 10 education.

Target Area

• It has been introduced in the 19 states in 27 districts
• Targeting Aspirational Districts and North- Eastern States

Ministries Involved

• Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)

Key Features

• Converged Model: Uses some of the available programs such as PMKVY ( Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana ) and PM Vishwakarma
• Inclusive Focus: Sub-populations of limited access and vulnerable sub-populations
• Certification: Issue of PMKVY and PM Vishwakarma certificates on launch
• Empowerment-Oriented: Confidence, developing skills, and an economic independence in young women is created

Launch Highlights

• The event was officiated by Ministers Shri Jayant Chaudhary (MSDE) and Smt. Savitri Thakur (MWCD)
• Personal communication with trainees and handing out certification of skills to them
• Formal convergence between the two ministries regarding the institutionalized forms of collaboration is signed

Other similar government schemes 

• PMKVY: This achieves the industry relevant skill training and certification utilized under NAVYA.
• PM Vishwakarma: Aids craftsmen; NAVYA merges its qualification of non-conventional professions.
• Skill India Mission: Gigantic initiative to propagate skill development in sectors.
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao: Advantages girls education as is the case with NAVYA, which targets adolescent girls.
• NEP 2020 (Vocational Component): Uses early vocational education; NAVYA is an expansion of this after Class 10.
• Mahila Shakti Kendra: Offers support to rural women; can support the outreach and implementation of NAVYA.

Conclusion

NAVYA can be seen as the next milestone of the Indian struggle to build gender equality and self-sufficiency. The initiative empowers young girls by giving them access to non-traditional vocational professions hence, laying a solid foundation of a developed and inclusive Bharat by the year 2047.