In response to concerns about employment trends in the country, the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has provided insightful data through the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted since 2017-18. The latest Annual PLFS Reports reveal a positive trajectory in employment indicators.

Positive Employment Trends:

According to the available data, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR), an indicator of employment, has shown a consistent upward trend, reaching 56.0% in 2022-23. Simultaneously, the Unemployment Rate (UR) has displayed a declining trend, reaching 3.2% during the same period.

Government Initiatives:

The Government of India is dedicated to prioritizing employment generation and enhancing employability. Various measures have been implemented, targeting both rural and urban areas.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package: The Aatmanirbhar Bharat package, with a fiscal stimulus exceeding Rupees Twenty Seven lakh crore, encompasses a range of long-term schemes, programs, and policies. These initiatives aim to make the nation self-reliant and create substantial employment opportunities.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY): Launched from October 1, 2020, ABRY incentivizes employers for creating new jobs and restoring those lost during the Covid-19 pandemic. As of January 19, 2024, the scheme has benefited 60.49 lakh beneficiaries.

PM SVANidhi Scheme: The Prime Minister Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbharNidhi (PM SVANidhi Scheme), initiated since June 1, 2020, has provided collateral-free working capital loans to 83.67 lakh street vendors affected by the pandemic.

Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY): PMMY, facilitating self-employment, has sanctioned collateral-free loans up to Rs. 10 lakh to micro/small business enterprises and individuals. State-wise data is available for reference.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: With an outlay of Rs. 1.97 lakh crore over five years starting from 2021-22, the PLI scheme has the potential to create 60 lakh new jobs.

PM GatiShakti: The transformative PM GatiShakti approach, driven by seven engines including Roads, Railways, Airports, Ports, Mass Transport, Waterways, and Logistics Infrastructure, aims at creating vast job and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Encouraging State and UT Projects: The government is actively encouraging various projects involving substantial investment and public expenditure under schemes like Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), and Deen Dayal Antodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM). State and UT-wise details are provided in the annexures.

Skill Development Initiatives: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is implementing schemes such as the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme, and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) to enhance the employability of the youth.

Flagship Programs: Flagship programs like Make in India, Start-up India, Stand-up India, Digital India, Housing for All, among others, are geared towards generating employment opportunities.

In conclusion, the government remains committed to addressing employment challenges through a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach, expecting these initiatives to collectively generate employment in the medium to long term through multiplier effects.