Training schemes and scholarships
If money is the problem, start here. Many government training schemes cost you nothing, some pay a stipend while you learn, and scholarships help with fees if you continue studying. A real skill is what gets you hired, so start with training that leads to a job.
Which one fits you?
| Your situation | Best first step | Where to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Left school early, or find reading hard | Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS): basic reading plus a trade such as tailoring, beauty or electrical work, close to home | Search “Jan Shikshan Sansthan” with your district name, or ask the district skill office |
| From a poor rural family, about 15–35 years old | DDU-GKY: placement-linked training for 3–12 months, many centres residential | Your State Rural Livelihood Mission or block office |
| Want a short course and a certificate quickly | PMKVY (Skill India): short courses at Skill India centres | Skill India Digital Hub (skillindiadigital.gov.in) |
| From a minority community | PM VIKAS: skill training, women’s enterprise, education support and mentoring through partner institutes | Ministry of Minority Affairs (minorityaffairs.gov.in) |
| Finished ITI, diploma or degree | Apprenticeship: learn on the job in a real company and receive a monthly stipend | apprenticeshipindia.gov.in (trades); nats.education.gov.in (diploma and graduates) |
| Interested in solar work | Suryamitra: free solar technician training | Solar PV installer pathway |
| Studying 11th, ITI, diploma, degree or higher, and family income is low | Post-matric scholarship for fees and allowances | National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) and your state scholarship portal |
Skills first. If you need to earn soon, choose a training scheme before a long degree. You can always study further later, part-time or by distance, while you work.
Training schemes in more detail
Jan Shikshan Sansthan
For people with little or no schooling, and school dropouts. Short, practical courses run locally, often for women at home.
DDU-GKY
For poor rural youth. Training is linked to a job at the end. A new round, DDU-GKY 2.0, is starting batches across states from October 2026.
PMKVY
Short courses in solar, electrical, retail, healthcare support, sewing and more, with a recognised certificate at the end.
PM VIKAS
The Ministry of Minority Affairs’ combined scheme for skills, women’s enterprise and education, run through partner institutes in many states.
Apprenticeship
Work in a real company for months to a year, learn the job properly and receive a monthly stipend. Often the surest road to a permanent job.
Suryamitra
Free training for solar technicians, with demand growing across India.
Scholarships if you continue studying
- Post-matric scholarships cover Class 11 up to PhD, including ITI, diploma and professional courses. They help with fees and give a yearly or monthly allowance. Apply on the National Scholarship Portal. Applications usually open around June and close in the autumn.
- State scholarships: every state runs its own schemes and portal. Search your state’s name with “scholarship portal”.
- Trust and community scholarships: many Muslim educational trusts and zakat committees support poor students. Ask at your masjid, madrasa or local welfare committee.
- Renew every year: most scholarships must be renewed, and you need to pass and keep attending. Missing the renewal date stops the money.
Amounts and income limits change. Always check the latest rules on the official portal before you apply.
Keep these documents ready
- Aadhaar card, with your mobile number linked to it
- Your own bank account, linked to Aadhaar (scholarships and stipends are paid only by direct transfer)
- Income certificate from the tehsil or local authority
- Community certificate or minority self-declaration, as the scheme asks
- Marksheets and school leaving certificate
- Admission letter or bonafide certificate from your college or ITI
- Two recent passport-size photos
Stay safe
- Applying for government schemes and scholarships costs nothing. Never pay an agent to apply for you.
- Real schemes pay into your own bank account. Never share your OTP or bank PIN with anyone.
- Use only official websites ending in .gov.in or .nic.in. Fake sites copy their look.
- Some government business loans charge interest. Read Money and Savings and seek advice from a scholar before taking one.
SkilledMuslim never charges anyone. We are a guide: we do not apply for you or arrange admissions.
Found a scheme? Now choose the skill it will train you in.