Training is often free.Most people never claim it.

Ministry of Skill Development & EntrepreneurshipFree to apply

What you get

Free online courses across hundreds of trades, a digital skill credential that employers can verify, and linked job and apprenticeship listings.

Who qualifies

Any Indian citizen with an Aadhaar-linked mobile number. No age or income limit.

How to apply

Register with your mobile number on the Skill India Digital Hub and start any course free.

Ministry of Labour & EmploymentFree to apply

What you get

Free job matching, free career counselling, and free online courses. Also runs physical job fairs through Model Career Centres.

Who qualifies

Open to every jobseeker. Employers register separately, also free.

How to apply

Register as a jobseeker on the NCS portal, or walk into any Model Career Centre.

Ministry of EducationFree to apply

What you get

One year of paid apprenticeship with an employer, with the government sharing the stipend, plus a certificate recognised across industry.

Who qualifies

Graduates, diploma holders and 10+2 vocational passouts, generally within three years of finishing.

How to apply

Enrol on the NATS portal, upload your qualification, and apply to advertised placements.

Ministry of Labour & EmploymentFree to apply

What you get

A Universal Account Number for unorganised workers, free accident insurance cover, and a single record used to route welfare schemes to you.

Who qualifies

Unorganised workers aged 16 to 59 who are not members of EPFO or ESIC and not income-tax payers.

How to apply

Register free with Aadhaar and a linked mobile number at a CSC or on the e-SHRAM portal.

Ministry of EducationFree to apply

What you get

Free university-level courses from IITs, IIMs and central universities, with optional credit transfer to your degree.

Who qualifies

Open to anyone. Learning is free; only the optional proctored exam has a fee.

How to apply

Create an account on the SWAYAM portal and enrol in any running course.

Ministry of Education

What you get

Finish class 10 or 12 while working, at your own pace, with a board certificate accepted for jobs and higher study.

Who qualifies

Class 10 from age 14, class 12 from age 15. No attendance requirement and no upper age limit.

How to apply

Register online with NIOS for the secondary or senior secondary stream and choose your exam session.

Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship / IBAFree to apply

What you get

Loans from ₹5,000 to ₹1.5 lakh for course fees at a recognised training institute. No collateral and no margin money.

Who qualifies

Anyone admitted to a course run by an NSQF-aligned training partner, ITI, polytechnic or affiliated institute.

How to apply

Apply through the Vidya Lakshmi portal or directly at any scheduled bank with your admission letter.

Ministry of Skill Development & EntrepreneurshipFree to apply

What you get

Free vocational training close to home — tailoring, beauty, food processing, repair trades — aimed at women and school dropouts.

Who qualifies

Non-literate, neo-literate and school-dropout adults aged 15 to 45. Priority to women, SC/ST and OBC candidates.

How to apply

Walk into the Jan Shikshan Sansthan for your district and enrol in a running batch.

Directorate General of Training

What you get

One or two years of hands-on trade training ending in a National Trade Certificate, the qualification most industrial employers ask for by name.

Who qualifies

Usually class 8 or 10 pass depending on the trade, minimum age 14. Government ITI fees are nominal.

How to apply

Apply in your state's ITI admission round, or through the DGT portal for national trades.

Ministry of Corporate AffairsFree to apply

What you get

A twelve-month internship at a large company with a monthly stipend, plus a one-time grant on joining.

Who qualifies

Aged 21 to 24, not in full-time education or full-time work, family income within the scheme's limit.

How to apply

Register on the PM Internship portal, complete your profile, and apply to listed internships.

Ministry of MSME / KVICFree to apply

What you get

Subsidy of 15 to 35 percent of project cost to set up your own micro enterprise, with the bank funding the rest.

Who qualifies

Aged 18 and above. Class 8 pass for projects above ₹10 lakh in manufacturing or ₹5 lakh in services.

How to apply

Apply on the KVIC PMEGP e-portal with your project report; the bank and the district committee decide.

Ministry of FinanceFree to apply

What you get

Bank loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore to start a greenfield enterprise, with hand-holding support through the application.

Who qualifies

SC, ST or women entrepreneurs aged 18 and above, for a first-time manufacturing, services or trading venture.

How to apply

Apply through the Stand-Up India portal or any scheduled commercial bank branch.

Ministry of Skill Development & EntrepreneurshipFree to apply

What you get

Free NSQF-aligned short-term training, assessment and certification, plus completion rewards.

Who qualifies

Indian citizens aged 15–45 who are school/college dropouts or unemployed youth.

How to apply

Enroll through any PMKVY training centre listed on स्वYAM with Aadhaar and bank details.

Ministry of Skill Development & EntrepreneurshipFree to apply

What you get

Government co-funds 25% of the stipend (up to ₹1,500/month) for apprentices.

Who qualifies

Candidates above 14 years with minimum qualification set by the trade.

How to apply

Apply to any NAPS-tagged apprenticeship on the Internships page; the employer registers you.

Ministry of FinanceFree to apply

What you get

Collateral-free loans: Shishu up to ₹50k, Kishor up to ₹5L, Tarun up to ₹10L.

Who qualifies

Non-farm micro enterprises and self-employed skilled workers.

How to apply

Apply at any scheduled bank, NBFC or MFI with your skill certificate and business plan.

Ministry of MSMEFree to apply

What you get

Toolkit incentive of ₹15,000, skill training with stipend, and credit at concessional rates.

Who qualifies

Artisans and craftspeople in 18 traditional trades — carpenter, blacksmith, potter, tailor and more.

How to apply

Register at a Common Service Centre with Aadhaar; verification is done by the ULB/panchayat.

Ministry of Rural DevelopmentFree to apply

What you get

Fully funded residential training with placement guarantee for rural youth.

Who qualifies

Rural poor youth aged 15–35 (up to 45 for vulnerable groups).

How to apply

Enroll through an empanelled project implementing agency in your district.

Ministry of EducationFree to apply

What you get

Pre- and post-matric scholarships covering fees and maintenance allowance.

Who qualifies

Students meeting income and category criteria; varies by state scheme.

How to apply

Apply online on NSP with income, caste and institute verification each academic year.