Context: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship launches Mahatma Gandhi National Fellowship Programme with IIM Bangalore.

Details of the programme:

• It is a two-year fellowship programme to boost skill development at the district level.
• Designed under Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP).
• It aims to address the challenge of non-availability of personnel for implementation of various programmes at national, state and district levels.
• It has an in-built component of on-ground practical experience with the district administration. 
• Launched on a pilot basis in 75 districts across Gujarat, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• Eligibility: Eligible fellows for the programme have to be in 21-30 years age-group, have a graduation degree from a recognized university and be citizens of India. Proficiency in official language of state of fieldwork will be mandatory.

Implementation:

1. In the course of their training, fellows will work under the close supervision of state skill development missions (SSDM) and will spend time and effort in understanding skilling challenges and gaps in the district.
2. They are expected to enrich skilling programmes by bringing in fresh thinking to local planning, execution, community interaction and outcome management.
3. Fellows will receive a stipend of Rs. 50,000 in the first year and Rs. 60,000 in the second year.
4. On completion of their engagement, they will be awarded a Certificate in Public Policy and Management from IIM Bangalore.

About SANKALP scheme:

What is it? SANKALP is a Centrally sponsored scheme of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). It is an outcome focused scheme marking shift in government’s implementation strategy in vocational education and training from inputs to results.

It will provide market relevant training to 3.5 crore youth.

Objective: To enhance institutional mechanisms for skills development and increase access to quality and market-relevant training for the work force.

Implementation:

1. It provides the required impetus to the National Skill Development Mission, 2015 and its various sub missions.
2. It is aligned to flagship Government of India programs such as Make in India and Swachhta Abhiyan and aims at developing globally competitive workforce for domestic and overseas requirements.

Under SANKALP four key result areas have been identified viz: (i) Institutional Strengthening (at National, State & District level); (ii) Quality Assurance of skill development programs; (iii) Inclusion of marginalised population in skill development; and (iv) Expanding Skills through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs).