Employability Outcomes of PMKVY Beneficiaries: An Urban–Rural Comparative Study of Lucknow and Kanpur

Abstract

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) represents India’s flagship skill development initiative under the Skill India Mission, aimed at improving employability and workforce readiness. Despite large-scale implementation, empirical evidence on its effectiveness across urban and rural contexts remains limited. This study examines the employability outcomes of PMKVY beneficiaries through a comparative analysis of Lucknow and Kanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh. Using primary survey data collected from 768 beneficiaries, the study evaluates skill development, employment and entrepreneurial outcomes, training quality, curriculum relevance, post-training support, and institutional and media influence. To ensure analytical rigor and suitability for Scopus-indexed journals, the study consolidates multiple dimensions into four core hypotheses. One-sample proportion Z-tests and chi-square analysis were applied. The results confirm that PMKVY has significantly enhanced skill development and employability outcomes; however, curriculum relevance and certain institutional mechanisms require improvement. The study contributes policy-relevant insights for strengthening public skill development programs in emerging economies.