76.23% of RSETI-trained rural youth in Dakshina Kannada launch enterprises, Parliament told

Of the 2,957 persons trained by the Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI), Ujire, in Dakshina Kannada during the last three financial years and up to June this year, 2,254 (76.23%) have settled or established their enterprises, the Union government has informed Parliament.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha on Monday, Jayant Chaudhary, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said the trainees participated in Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDPs) conducted by RSETI. The reply was to an unstarred question raised by MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta.

The RSETI scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) to provide skill development for rural poor youth and eradicate poverty across the country. It is a poverty alleviation programme under DAY-NRLM targeting rural youth aged 18 to 50. The objective is self-employment and micro-enterprise development, with a mandate to achieve at least 70% settlement (including up to 10% wage employment). The scheme also facilitates credit linkage and provides hand-holding support to trainees for up to two years after training completion. RSETI has been operational since 2008-09, the Minister noted.

The Minister also provided details on other skill development initiatives in the district. Under the National Livestock Mission Entrepreneurship Development Programme, implemented by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, three projects have been approved in Dakshina Kannada during the last three years and the current year. This credit-linked, demand-driven scheme provides capital subsidy for livestock-based enterprises and is expected to benefit 65 farmers and generate 14 employment opportunities.

Under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), 1,270 persons in the district received entrepreneurship development training during the same period. PMEGP is a central sector scheme that assists prospective entrepreneurs in setting up new micro-enterprises in the non-farm sector, primarily in rural areas.

Additionally, under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), 1,959 candidates were trained in Dakshina Kannada during 2024-26, of whom 1,550 were certified. The scheme focuses on empowering trainees to choose varied career paths through industry-relevant skill courses embedded with on-job training, the Minister said.