Government Launches NAVYA to Skill Adolescent Girls in Non-Traditional Sectors

In an unprecedented step towards India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, the Government of India will launch NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh on June 24th, 2025. This joint effort between the Government of India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) offers adolescent girls aged 16-18 years vocational skills, particularly in non-traditional sectors.

The NAVYA initiative will serve as a joint Pilot initiative, to skill young girls for vocational training, with particular focus on aspirational districts and the North-East with the aim of the government to take a more inclusive approach. This would be a significant step under the overall women’s development plan under the Viksit Bharat@2047 Mission, lead by women.

Aim and Objectives

• To skill adolescent girls (16-18 years) with minimum Class 10 qualification.

• To empower young women through vocational training in non-traditional job roles.

• To formalize institutional collaboration between MWCD and MSDE.

• To bring confidence, independence and economic empowerment among adolescent girls.

Implementation Process

• Pilot initiative to roll out in 27 districts, across 19 states, including aspirational districts and North-Eastern districts.

• Skilling through the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and other flagship programmes.

• The event will include girl trainees, certificate distribution for PMKVY/PM Vishwakarma certificates.

Key Features

• It aims to target non-traditional job roles to help shift employment patterns from conventional gendered employment.

• Digital skilling modules may be included, to be more relevant to modern employment.

• It will help girls from underserved communities to bridge the gap between education and employability.