Bhubaneswar: In a major push to boost employability, the Odisha Cabinet chaired by the Chief Minister on Tuesday approved the Dakshyata Vikas Yojana, a flagship skill development scheme with an outlay of Rs 450 crore for 2026-27 to 2028-29.
The scheme aims to skill 4.20 lakh youth across the state through industry-aligned training, digital skilling, overseas employment support and institutional strengthening.
Under the scheme, placement-linked short-term training will be provided to 1.17 lakh youth, while 3 lakh youth will receive digital skilling in emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics and Cybersecurity.
A key focus is integration of skilling with higher education in line with NEP 2020. Skill Hubs will be set up in Higher Education Institutions to offer placement-linked, NSQF-aligned courses alongside academic programmes.
Recognising demand for skilled workers abroad, the scheme will expand overseas employment initiatives with foreign language training in German and Japanese, along with cultural orientation, certification support, visa assistance, travel support and post-placement services.
The scheme will also cover vulnerable groups including persons with disabilities, jail inmates, transgender persons and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
The Cabinet also approved continuation of the Chief Minister Skill Development Fellowship, under which 40 Fellows will be deployed across districts for demand assessment, skill gap analysis and industry partnerships. A Skilled-in-Odisha Digital Hub will be established for end-to-end candidate tracking and outcome monitoring.
The government said the Dakshyata Vikas Yojana is designed as a comprehensive, outcome-driven initiative to build a skilled, future-ready and globally competitive workforce in line with Viksit Odisha 2036.
