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SAMARTH Scheme — Govt Scheme for UPSC | Vaidra
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SAMARTH Scheme

Ministry of TextilesactiveemploymentLaunched: 2017-01-01

About the Scheme

The SAMARTH (Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector) was launched in 2017 to provide demand-driven, placement-oriented skilling programmes for employment generation in the organized textile and related sectors. It aims to address the skill gap in the industry.

Target Beneficiaries: 10 lakh unemployed youth (9 lakh in organised sector, 1 lakh in traditional sector) across textile value chain with special focus on women, socially backward classes, and 150 aspirational districts

Implementing Agency: Ministry of Textiles, State Government Agencies, Textile Industry Associations, Sectoral Organisations, and training institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Textiles.

Official Website →

✦Key Features

  • Focus on organised textile and related sectors for skilling, including traditional segments.
  • Provision for 'Training of Trainers' (ToT) to ensure quality instruction.
  • Mandatory third-party assessment and certification for all trainees.
  • Aadhaar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) and CCTV recording for transparency.
  • Post-placement tracking of trained individuals for a minimum period.
  • Industry linkage and placement assistance to ensure employment for skilled individuals.

✓Eligibility Criteria

  • Unemployed youth seeking vocational training for entry-level jobs in the textile sector.
  • Existing workers in the textile sector requiring upskilling or reskilling.
  • Artisans and weavers in traditional textile segments.
  • Specific age and educational qualification criteria as defined by individual training programmes.

★Benefits

  • Skill certification recognised by the industry, enhancing employability.
  • Improved employment and livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries.
  • Enhanced productivity and competitiveness for the Indian textile sector.
  • Access to modern machinery and techniques through practical training.

▶Application Process

  • Identification of eligible candidates by empanelled training partners.
  • Registration through designated online portals or physical enrolment centers.
  • Undergoing prescribed skill training modules at approved training centres.
  • Appearing for mandatory third-party assessment and certification.
  • Receiving placement assistance from training agencies and industry partners.

₹ Budget Allocation

250

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Sector Scheme (funded by the Ministry of Textiles)

Exam Relevance

GS Paper: GS3

Prelims Relevance7%
Mains Relevance8%

Syllabus Tags

Skill India MissionNational Textile PolicyMake in India initiativeEmployment Generation SchemesMicro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)Vocational Training and EducationIndian Textile Industry Development

Historical Context

Approved in 2017 to meet the skill requirements of the textile sector following the expiration of the Integrated Skill Development Scheme (ISDS).

Exclusion Criteria

  • Spinning and Weaving in the organized sector (covered under other schemes)
  • Persons below 14 years of age
  • Training programs not resulting in wage employment or self-employment

Sub-Schemes

Skilling in Traditional Sectors

Focuses on traditional sectors like silk, jute, and handlooms.

Industry-Partnered Training

Collaboration with textile industry players for job-oriented training.

Challenges

  • High dropout rates due to migration of labor
  • Limited participation of the organized industry in providing on-site training
  • Mismatch between training modules and the rapidly changing fashion technology
  • Difficulties in post-placement tracking for the mandated period of one year

Reforms & Recommendations

  • Expand coverage to include spinning and weaving to provide holistic skilling
  • Increase the incentive for self-employment post-training
  • Link SAMARTH certification with global accreditation standards to facilitate labor export

Performance Statistics

Metric

1.5 Lakh+

Source: Ministry of Textiles Annual Report

Critical Analysis

SAMARTH addresses the critical skill gap in the Indian textile value chain, excluding spinning and weaving in the organized sector. Its demand-driven model, where industry partners are directly involved in training, ensures high placement rates. However, the scheme's focus on the organized sector might neglect the vast unorganized handloom and handicraft sectors which require different pedagogical approaches and market linkages. The biometric attendance and video recording of sessions are excellent measures for transparency, but the cost-per-trainee remains a point of contention for some small-scale training partners.

SDG Linkages

SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)SDG 5 (Gender Equality - focus on women in textiles)SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

Constitutional Backing

Article 41 (Right to work and to education)

Technology Used

AEBAS (Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System)MIS PortalCCTV Surveillance

Success Stories

Women Empowerment in Tiruppur Garment Cluster

Key Takeaways

  • Target: Skilling 10 lakh persons
  • Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS)
  • Minimum 70% placement mandate for partners
  • Focus on marginalized sections (SC/ST, women)

Probable Questions

Analyze the impact of the SAMARTH scheme on the Indian textile industry's competitiveness in the global market.

MediumMedium

Mains Answer Fodder

Use SAMARTH to discuss 'Employment Elasticity' in the textile sector. It is a key point for GS3 answers on MSMEs, industrial growth, and the 'Make in India' initiative. It demonstrates how sectoral skill missions can complement the broader 'Skill India' framework.

Convergence Schemes

  • Skill India Mission (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana)
  • Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
  • Amended Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (ATUFS)

Sector Tags

TextilesSkillingEmployment