The NAVYA (Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls) initiative, jointly launched by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Ministry of Women & Child Development (MWCD) in June 2025, aims to empower adolescent girls (AGs) aged 16–18 years in aspirational districts. The program focuses on equipping girls with market-relevant skills to achieve socio-economic independence and bridge the gap between education and livelihood.
Objectives of NAVYA
The initiative is designed to:
- Provide demand-driven vocational training aligned with both traditional and non-traditional sectors.
- Facilitate holistic development through modules on health, nutrition, hygiene, financial literacy, life skills, and legal awareness.
- Promote employability and self-employment, along with forward linkages such as internships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities.
- Strengthen gender-inclusive skilling ecosystems by ensuring a safe and supportive training environment.
- Address the needs of adolescent girls in underserved and remote areas, thereby bridging the gap between education and livelihood opportunities.
Coverage
As of now, 19 States and 27 districts have been covered under the NAVYA initiative (details provided in the Annexure).
Training Under PMKVY 4.0
Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, NAVYA has set a target to train 3,850 adolescent girls in non-traditional and emerging job roles. These include:
- Digital Marketing
- Cybersecurity
- AI-enabled Services
- Green Jobs
- Other Modern Sectors
In addition, participants are being trained in life skills, financial literacy, and digital competence, ensuring they are equipped to meet both current workforce demands and future opportunities.
