PM Modi to Roll Out ₹62,000-Crore Youth Empowerment Schemes on October 4

New Delhi, October 1: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to launch a wide range of youth-focused initiatives worth over ₹62,000 crore on October 4, marking one of the government’s most ambitious pushes toward education, skilling, and employment generation in recent years. The announcement is expected to touch millions of young Indians across states, particularly in remote and tribal regions, while giving a special focus to Bihar.

At the heart of the launch is PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs), a flagship skilling scheme with a proposed investment of ₹60,000 crore. This initiative will completely overhaul 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) nationwide using a hub-and-spoke model. Under this setup, 200 ITIs will serve as hubs with state-of-the-art facilities, while 800 ITIs will function as spokes to expand access and participation.

The scheme aims to shift India’s skilling ecosystem towards an industry-managed, government-owned model, where private sector partners play an active role in curriculum design, placements, and innovation. Global institutions including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank are also set to co-finance the programme, underscoring its international significance.

Vocational Skill Labs for Students

A highlight of the October 4 launch will be the inauguration of 1,200 Vocational Skill Labs across 400 Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools, spanning 34 states and Union Territories. These labs will allow students, even in far-flung tribal belts, to gain hands-on training in 12 high-demand sectors — ranging from IT and electronics to agriculture, logistics, tourism, and automotive technologies.

Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the project includes the training of 1,200 vocational teachers. The effort is expected to give students early exposure to industry-relevant skills, creating a stronger pipeline of employable youth before they enter higher education or the job market.

Bihar in Focus

While the schemes have a national footprint, Bihar stands out as a key beneficiary. PM Modi will unveil the revamped Mukhyamantri Nishchay Swayam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana, under which five lakh young graduates will receive a monthly allowance of ₹1,000 for two years, coupled with free skill training.

In another major boost, the Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme has been redesigned to offer interest-free education loans of up to ₹4 lakh, easing the financial burden on families seeking higher education. More than 3.9 lakh students have already benefited from the earlier version of the scheme, with loans worth nearly ₹7,900 crore disbursed.

The state will also see the formal launch of the Bihar Yuva Ayog, a statutory youth commission to harness the energy and aspirations of individuals between 18 and 45 years of age.

Adding to the educational thrust, PM Modi will inaugurate the Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University, envisioned as a hub for vocational and industry-led courses, preparing Bihar’s youth for a globally competitive workforce.

Boost for Higher Education

The Prime Minister is also set to lay the foundation stone for new academic and research facilities across four key universities in Bihar: Patna University, Bhupendra Narayan Mandal University (Madhepura), Jai Prakash Vishwavidyalaya (Chapra), and Nalanda Open University (Patna). These projects, backed by ₹160 crore under the PM-Usha (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) scheme, will benefit more than 27,000 students by enhancing access to advanced laboratories, hostels, and modern academic infrastructure.

Another milestone will be the formal dedication of the Bihta campus of NIT Patna to the nation. With the capacity to host 6,500 students, the campus includes a 5G use-case laboratory, an academic centre for space research in collaboration with ISRO, and an incubation hub that has already supported several start-ups.

Employment and Scholarships

The October 4 programme will not just focus on long-term projects but also immediate support. PM Modi is scheduled to distribute appointment letters to over 4,000 newly recruited state government employees in Bihar. Additionally, he will release ₹450 crore in scholarships via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to 25 lakh Class 9 and 10 students under the Mukhyamantri Balak/Balika Scholarship Scheme.

A Generational Investment

Together, these initiatives represent a generational investment in India’s young population. By combining skilling, financial support, education reform, and direct employment opportunities, the government aims to prepare a workforce that is resilient, adaptable, and globally competitive.

The October 4 launch is expected to be more than just a ceremonial event — it signals a decisive shift in India’s youth policy, prioritising skills, self-reliance, and opportunity as the cornerstones of national growth.