Work track · Field guide
Beauty and wellness
Salons, bridal work and home services offer steady income, and the work is well suited to women serving women. Barbers serve men in every neighbourhood.
420 hoursnational Beautician course
10th passto start
Home-basedservices are possible
Salon owneris the next step
Checked 13 October 2026 · rules and figures change, so confirm with the official links below
What this field is
Beauticians provide skin care, hair care, threading, mehndi and bridal services. Barbers cut and style men’s hair and beards.
Many start by serving women at home, then open a small salon and train others.
It suits you if:
- You have good taste and steady hands.
- You enjoy working with people.
- You want to work from home or start a small business.
Routes, time and cost
| Route | Who it suits | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beautician — Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council, NSQF Level 3 | 10th pass; or 8th pass with experience | 420 hours | Varies; sometimes free under schemes |
| PM Vishwakarma — Barber trade | Traditional barbers, age 18+, one member per family | Short basic training | Free training with ₹500/day stipend; toolkit support up to ₹15,000 |
| Learn in a salon | Anyone willing to start as an assistant | 6–12 months | You may earn a small wage |
Choose services that fit your values. Many Muslim women run women-only salons and home services, which are in high demand.
How to start
- Join a certified Beautician course on Skill India Digital.
- Practise on family and friends.
- Work as an assistant in a salon to learn customer service.
- Build a photo portfolio (with consent).
- Start home services, then a small salon.
Where it can lead
- Assistant
- Beautician or barber
- Senior therapist or bridal specialist
- Salon owner who trains and employs others
Hygiene and trust
- Never use products without checking for allergies first.
- Never reuse unclean tools — sterilise every time.
- Never share clients’ photos without permission.
Take the first step this week. If you’re unsure where to begin, ask us.
Sources and official links · checked 13 October 2026
Learn online, free
Online learning helps you understand. Only practice makes you skilled. Use free government lessons alongside your training.
- Before you join: watch lessons on salon work to see which part interests you.
- While you train: on Bharat Skills, use the Cosmetology trade material and mock tests.
- After you qualify: learn new styles online, but practise on real clients only under a trainer, with hygiene rules.
Can’t afford training?
Money should not stop you. These routes cost little or nothing:
- Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS): very low-cost local courses, open even if you left school early. Search “Jan Shikshan Sansthan” with your district name.
- Skill India (PMKVY): look for a short course such as Assistant Beauty Therapist at a Skill India centre near you, usually at no cost. Search on skillindiadigital.gov.in.
- Government ITI: fees at government ITIs are very low, and many states give extra support. Choose the one-year Cosmetology trade.
See all training schemes and scholarships →
Applying costs nothing. Never pay an agent to get you into a government scheme.