In a significant move towards women-led development under the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision, the central government has announced the launch of NAVYA—Nurturing Aspirations through Vocational Training for Young Adolescent Girls—in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh. This joint pilot initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) aims to empower girls aged 16 to 18 who have completed at least Class 10, by providing targeted vocational training, especially in non-traditional sectors. The programme emphasizes inclusivity by focusing on aspirational and underserved districts across 19 states, including many in the North-East, and seeks to open new employment avenues for young women, fostering confidence and economic participation.
The scheme will leverage existing national initiatives like PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and the PM Vishwakarma scheme to ensure high-quality skill development and institutional convergence. The launch event, attended by senior ministers Jayant Chaudhary and Savitri Thakur, will feature interactions with girl trainees and the distribution of certificates, symbolizing the programme’s commitment to enhancing employability and instilling ambition. NAVYA aspires to play a transformative role in shaping India’s socio-economic landscape by enabling adolescent girls to participate actively in emerging economic sectors and contribute to the nation’s inclusive growth.
