Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana (CMKKY)

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

The Chief Minister’s Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana (CMKKY) is the flagship skill development programme of the Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood (SDEL) Department, Government of Karnataka. Implemented by the Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC), the scheme provides free, short-term, industry-oriented skill training to unemployed youth, school dropouts and workers in the informal sector, enabling them to secure gainful employment or establish sustainable livelihoods. To avail of the skill training under the CMKKY, registration on the official portal is mandatory for all candidates and is completely free of cost.

The Karnataka Government launched CMKKY after the Chief Minister announced it in the 2016-17 State Budget. Before this, different departments ran their own skill training programmes with different syllabi, selection methods and assessment rules. To fix this, the state created a separate SDEL Department and brought all skill training under one umbrella. The main objective of CMKKY is to skill 5 lakh youth every year, with 2.50 lakh youth trained under schemes run directly by SDEL and another 2.50 lakh trained under schemes of other Government departments and bodies. The scheme also aims to standardise course content, syllabus, trainee selection, training providers, assessment and placement across the state.

The CM Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana works on a demand-driven model. KSDC designs short-term courses in consultation with industry as per National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) standards. Fresh job seekers receive training of at least 200 hours, while people already working in an occupation get re-skilling or up-skilling of at least 80 hours. Accredited Training Providers run the courses at registered Training Centres in residential, non-residential, full-time, or part-time mode. 

Candidates do not pay any fee; an independent agency assesses their skills, and successful trainees receive a Certificate of Skill. Training providers must place at least 70% of the successfully assessed trainees in jobs or self-employment, and trainees who remain unplaced get special placement assistance.

The Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Scheme follows an inclusive approach. Apart from general youth, it covers ex-servicemen under Jai Kaushal Jawan, widows of ex-servicemen and war widows, specially challenged persons, juvenile delinquents, jail inmates under Kaushal Karagruha and trainees of short-term agriculture and animal husbandry courses, each with a separate age limit. Candidates need a Karnataka Aadhaar number and a mobile number to register. After online registration, KSDC counsels candidates over the phone and in person at the District Skill Development Office, the YES office in the District Employment Office, or at Kaushalya Mela events, after which accredited training centres select them for batches.

Apart from the Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana (CMKKY), the Karnataka Government also promotes employment and entrepreneurship through initiatives such as the Rajiv Gandhi Entrepreneurship Programme (RGEP), which supports aspiring entrepreneurs in developing innovative business ideas and startups, and the Karnataka Self-Employment Scheme, which provides eligible individuals with financial assistance to establish or expand their own businesses. Interested candidates can explore the complete details of bothe schemes here.

Programmes Running Under CMKKY

Karnataka Skill Development Corporation (KSDC) delivers CMKKY training through the following programmes at present.

1. Yuva Nidhi Plus Programme

This programme trains youth registered under the Yuva Nidhi scheme in job-oriented skills to help them get employment.

2. ILC and Future Skills Programme

Through its Industry Linkage Cell (ILC), KSDC trains Yuva Nidhi beneficiaries and other unemployed youth in skills that industries currently need, along with new-age Future Skills.

3. Learning with Skills Programme

KSDC and the Higher Education Department provide final-year B.A., B.Com, and B.Sc students with skill training of 3 credits (50 hours) with industry partners such as Adobe, Microsoft and Cisco.

4. Traditional and Regional Skills Training

This programme passes endangered traditional and regional crafts to the next generation through short-term training along with toolkits.

Benefits of Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana

The Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana provides the following benefits to candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility criteria.

• Free training: Training providers cannot collect any fee from trainees.
• Free registration: Registration on the official portal is free, and the form is available in English and Kannada.
• Industry-ready courses: Courses follow NSQF standards and are finalised with industry input.
• Flexible learning: Training runs in residential, non-residential, full-time or part-time mode, along with soft skills and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• Certificate of Skill: Trainees who clear the independent assessment receive a certificate approved by KSDC.
• Placement support: Training providers must place at least 70% of assessed trainees in jobs or self-employment.
• Special placement help: Trainees who pass but do not get placed receive special assistance for placement.
• Free email and Digital Locker: Registered candidates get a free email login, and trainees get a free Digital Locker once training starts.

Eligibility Criteria for CMKKY

Candidates must meet the following conditions to register and get training under the Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana.

• The candidate must be a resident of Karnataka with an Aadhaar number linked to Karnataka.
• The candidate should be seeking skill training, employment, entrepreneurship and livelihood, or apprenticeship.
• Unemployed youth, school dropouts, and existing workers, especially from the informal sector.
• The candidate must register on the Kaushalkar portal using Aadhaar and mobile number.
• Only trainees with at least 70% attendance can appear in the final assessment.

CMKKY Age Limit (Category-wise)

The CMKKY scheme has different age eligibility criteria for each category of applicant, as follows:

Special Conditions

• Registration of juvenile delinquents and jail inmates shall be done by departmental officers and kept confidential.
• Training under Jai Kaushal Jawan does not overlap with programmes of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Documents Required for CMKKY Registration

Keep the following information and documents ready before beginning your online registration for the CM's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana.

• Aadhaar number (mandatory)
• Mobile number (mandatory)
• Highest education certificate
• Resume
• Passport-size profile photo
• Any other relevant certificate, if applicable

How to Apply for CMKKY

The CMKKY application process starts online on the KSDC portal and then moves offline through counselling, batch selection, and training at the district level. Follow these steps to register yourself for skill training under CMKKY.

• Visit the official Karnataka Skill Development Corporation website.
• Here on the home page go to Online Services and click on Registration of Candidate for Training.
• Under "What would you like to register for", choose Skill.
• Enter your Aadhaar number and click Next.
• If the portal shows "You are already registered", you do not need to register again.
• Click Yes to continue with the registration.
• Fill in your personal and trainee details.
• Enter your parent/guardian and current/permanent address details.
• Provide your educational qualifications and languages you know.
• Under Past Skill Experience, select No if you have not taken any skill training before.
• Choose up to 5 preferred skills and select your preferred training duration.
• Enter your expected salary for jobs within your district and outside your district.
• Upload the documents: highest education certificate, age proof (Aadhaar), resume, and any other certificate if needed.
• Enter your mobile number, click Send OTP, type the OTP, and click Submit.
• The portal sends a Token Number to your email ID. Save it safely for future reference.

Registration with Help from a Training Centre or District Office

If you face trouble registering on your own, you can visit your District Skill Development Office for guidance. Accredited training providers can also counsel candidates, help them register on the official portal, and select them for training.

What Happens After Registration?

After you register online, KSDC verifies your details and connects you with a training centre through the following process.

• KSDC calls you to verify your details and understand your interest in training and placement.
• KSDC invites interested candidates by SMS for in-person counselling at the District Skill Development Office, the YES office in the District Employment Office, or at Kaushalya Mela events, usually held at taluk headquarters.
• Officials check your qualifications and documents, assess your aptitude, and guide you towards a suitable course.
• An accredited training centre selects you for a job role and batch, and you receive an SMS or email.
• The centre registers your fingerprint for biometric attendance and starts the training.
• After completing training with at least 70% attendance, you appear in an assessment conducted by an independent agency.
• Successful trainees receive the Certificate of Skill, and the training provider helps them get a job or start self-employment.

Information for Training Providers

Organisations that want to deliver training under CMKKY must register and get accredited on the official portal.

• Eligible applicants include NSDC/DDU-GKY providers, government institutes, recognised institutions, societies, trusts, and registered companies.
• The non-refundable accreditation fee is ₹50,000. Government organisations are exempt, while eligible reserved-category entities receive a 50% concession.
• Accreditation is valid for 3 years and renewable for another 3 years with a ₹50,000 fee.
• Providers can offer up to 10 job roles and 2 batches per role per centre annually.
• Sub-contracting and franchise-based training are not allowed.
• Centres must maintain biometric attendance, CCTV, photo/video records, and GPS tracking for mobile centres.

Relevant Links

• Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana Registration
• Karnataka Skill Development Corporation
• SDEL Department, Karnataka
• Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana Notification
• Guidelines of Chief Minister's Kaushalya Karnataka Yojana

Contact Information

• KSDC State Skill Office Contact Details
• KSDC District Skill Office Contact Details