Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) was launched in 1993 to provide self-employment to India’s educated youth and women. This scheme offers subsidised financial assistance to set up self-employment ventures in the manufacturing, trading, and service sectors. Beneficiaries may also fund agricultural projects, barring direct agrarian operations.
As per the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India’s unemployment rose to 7.7% in December 2019. This, in tandem with the GDP slipping below 5% in the last two quarters, has heavily impacted the growth of the Indian economy. However, under the PMRY scheme, the Central Government financially empowers eligible candidates to launch viable enterprises. This helps the educated unemployed find a source of livelihood and creates new job opportunities, especially in the micro, small and medium business sector.
To know all about the PMRY scheme in detail, read on.
Features of PMRY
The Central Government sponsors the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Yojana. It assists with projects with an overall cost of Rs. 2 lakh, if in the business sector, and Rs. 5 lakh if in the service or industry sectors.
- The scheme provides a subsidy of up to 15% of the project, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 7,500 per entrepreneur.
- Banks can ask the entrepreneur for 5%-16.25% of the project cost as margin money.
- The subsidy combined with the margin money may amount to 20% of the project costs.
- You can avail of a collateral-free loan of up to Rs. 1 lakh and in case of a partnership, the exemption is Rs. 1 lakh per participant.
- It has a repayment tenor ranging from 3 to 7 years. Also, the PMRY scheme offers a moratorium period, which allows you to earn from your venture before you start repaying over 3 to 7 years.
- You are provided training for a period of 15 to 20 days so that you can successfully set up your business venture.
- Development Commissioner (Small-Scale Industries), under the Ministry of Small Scale, Rural and Agro, Industries, handles the scheme directly.
- The state-level PMRY team monitors the progress of the scheme every quarter.
Eligibility Criteria for PMRY
To apply for this scheme, you need to be eligible under the following criteria:
- Age: You must be an educated applicant in the age bracket ranging from 18 to 35 years. However, if you belong to the SC/ ST category, are a woman, ex-serviceman, or are physically challenged, you enjoy a 10-year relaxation on the age limit. Likewise, for the seven North-Eastern states, the age cut-off is relaxed for up to 40 years, and SC/ ST, women, or physically challenged applicants, and ex-servicemen, the upper age limit is 45 years.
- Education: You should have passed the 8th standard, and preference will be given to individuals with at least 6 months of previous training in any trade in a Government-recognised approved institution.
- Income: Your annual income, including that of your spouse, must not exceed Rs. 40,000. Similarly, your parent’s income must not exceed this limit either.
- Residential status: You must be living permanently in your locality for at least 3 consecutive years.
- Borrower status: You must not have defaulted on a loan in the past or availed of assistance through another subsidy-linked government scheme.
Documents Required for PMRY
You need to submit the following documents while applying for PMRY:
- Proof of birth, such as birth certificate, SSC/ HSC mark sheet
- Proof of being a resident for at least 3 years, like ration card
- Certificate of income, issued by the Mandal Revenue Officer
- Entrepreneurship Development Programme certificate
- Driving license
- Technical and educational certificates
- A copy of your project proposal
Implementation of PMRY Scheme
- The Development Commissioner for Small Scale Industries (DSCSSI), after reviewing factors like the population, rate of unemployment, and economic strength of an area, decides a target for April to March.
- For states, the target is decided by the state government and relayed to the District Industries Centre (DIC).
- PMRY application forms will be available at local banks, DIC offices, and with local Industry Promotion Officers.
- The selected candidates will be provided with the necessary training to ensure that they can successfully set up their venture. The duration of the training is 15 to 20 days for candidates with ventures in the manufacturing sector. Whereas it takes about 7 to 10 days to train for applicants with ventures in the service or business sector.
- Once a candidate completes training, his/ her progress will be monitored by the bodies that will grant the loan under the PMRY scheme.
Modifications in PMRY Scheme
Over the years, the following modifications have been made to the scheme
- If you are an SC/ ST applicant or a woman, you get a relaxation of 10 years on the age limit, 35 years.
- The education qualification has been reduced to standard 8 from standard 10.
- The upper limit of the project cost has been increased to Rs. 2 lakh.
- The scheme now includes agriculture and its associated activities but excludes direct agricultural operations like the purchase of manure or raising of crops.
- If you apply as a group of eligible candidates, you can avail of up to Rs. 5 lakh.
- The age limit has been raised to 40 years for candidates from the North Eastern states.
How Can One Apply for a PMRY Loan?
You can apply for this scheme by following the steps given below.
- Access the PMRY application form and fill it with accurate details.
- Submit the form at a DIC/ bank that come under the PMRY scheme.
- You can use the model application form when applying.
Additionally, when submitting the form at a bank or DIC, you must submit a project idea report. This project profile should include details about raw materials, fixed assets, employee wages, expenditure, production cost, profitability and so on. After your application is scrutinised, you will be called for an interview. You can get up to Rs. 5 crore if you have a good credit score at low loan against property interest rate.
FAQs about the Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana
Who introduced Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana?
The Central Government of India introduced Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana in 1993.
What are the objectives Prime Minister Rozgar Yojana?
The objective of the PMRY scheme is to provide employment opportunities via subsidised financing to the educated unemployed youth and women of the country by setting up a large number of micro-enterprises.
Are there any reservations under PMRY?
The scheme gives preference to economically weaker sections of society and women. There is 22.5% reservation for SC/ ST applicants and 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates.
Is there any income criteria to meet before enrolling for PMRY?
Yes, to qualify for this scheme, your gross annual income, including that of your spouse, must not exceed Rs. 40,000. The same holds for your parent’s annual income.
