Samarth Scheme - Objectives, Features, Benefits, Expected Outcomes And Facts

Samarth Scheme is the flagship skill development scheme of the Ministry of Textiles, which is a continuation of the integrated Skill Development Scheme under the 12th Five Year Plan. Also known as the Scheme for Capital Building in the Textile Sector (SCBTS) was introduced in 2017. It is to train an untrained labor force of 10 lakh and place them in various industries in the textile sector, including Handloom, jute, and many more. Samarth targets the skill development of unemployed youth in the value chain of the textile sector in India.

Samarth Scheme

In this article by Testbook, we will learn in detail about the various aspects of the Samarth scheme, including its objectives, expected benefits, outcomes, strategy, and other facts and figures. 

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What is Samarth Scheme?

The Ministry of Textiles has implemented the Samarth Scheme, an initiative to build capacity in India's textile sector. Launched in 2017, the scheme is known as the Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector (SCBTS). The primary objective of the Samarth scheme is to ensure a continuous supply of skilled workforce in the labor-intensive textile sector of India. The scheme's target is to develop the skills of 10 lakh youth in the organized sector of the entire textile value chain, excluding spinning and weaving. With a budget outlay of 13000 crores, the Samarth scheme incorporates advanced features such as Training of Trainers (ToT), Aadhar-enabled biometric attendance, CCTV recording of training programs, dedicated call centers with helpline numbers, online monitoring of the training process, and a management information system (MIS) based on a mobile app.

Current Status of Samarth Scheme

The scheme is currently in the implementation phase under the Ministry of Textiles in collaboration with the State and UT administrations.

To read about the Stand Up India scheme click here!

Objectives of the Samarth Scheme

The main objectives of the Samarth Scheme are listed below.

• To provide a demand-driven placement-oriented skill program in compliance with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).
• To assist in enhancing the job creation initiative of the textile sector.
• To enhance the training of youth using Training of Trainers.
• To induce the self-employment capability of youth and reduce the dependence and unemployment rate.
• In addition to the skill development of new people, skill upgradation exercises are also being promoted in traditional sectors, such as Handloom.
• To enable the provision of sustainable livelihood to all.
• To incentivize and support the efforts of the textile industry in employment generation.

Read about the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana here!

Major Features of the Samarth Scheme

• The government will provide training to master trainers to improve their facilitation skills.
• Aadhaar-enabled biometric attendance system will be used to ensure the credibility of the trainers and the beneficiaries.
• Training institutes will be fitted with CCTVs to avoid major conflicts in the functioning of the scheme.
• A dedicated call center with a helpline number will be set up.
• A mobile app-based Management Information System (MIS) will monitor the training processes.
• The training processes will be monitored online.
• The central government has approved the scheme with a total outlay of Rs.1300 crores.
• Concessional credit to beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana for self-employment.
• Aadhar-enabled biometric attendance system.
• Only certified trainers with Training of Trainers (ToT) certificates from RAS or SSCs will be allowed to provide training.
• The authorities will randomly inspect all training centers.
• The courses must be aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSFQ).
• A minimum of 80% attendance is required for assessment.
• A helpline number will be available for feedback collection.

Read about the Ujala Scheme here!

Expected Outcomes of the Samarth Scheme

The major expected outcomes of the Samarth Scheme are:

• The Samarth scheme is expected to enhance the quality of textiles produced in India.
• As a result of the better material quality, there will be an increased global demand for Indian textiles, thus increasing exports.
• The expected job creation in the textile sector is due to the above outcomes.

Benefits of the Samarth Scheme

The Samarth Scheme has the following benefits:

• Textile-related skill training for the benefit of youth.
• To empower individuals, the Government of India has signed MoUs with 18 States under which 4 lakh people will receive training benefits.
• Training target of 3.6 lakh beneficiaries in the traditional and organized sectors.
• The Samarth scheme will benefit the socially backward classes and 150 aspirational districts because they are given special preference.
• The robust strategy and monitoring mechanism of the Samarth scheme will ensure the proper and timely completion of training.
• The concessional monetary assistance through Mudra Yojana will benefit India's entrepreneurship development and employment generation ecosystem.

Study the article on the Cotton textile industry in India!

A Brief Overview of the Indian Textile Sector

Textile and apparel are one of the earliest developed industries in India whose present status can be understood based on the following points.

• The textile sector contributes approximately 2% to India’s GDP.
• In 2020-21 the share of textile Exports in total exports of India was 11.4%.
• India is one of the world's top producers of cotton, jute, and silk.
• The textile and apparel industry provides direct employment to 45 million people and around 100 million in allied sectors.
• India recently became the world's second-largest producer of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
• India’s share in the global textile and apparel trade is 5%.

Also, read the article on PM Kisan Sampada Yojana here!

Other Schemes of the Textile Sector

The below mentioned are some of the major scheme of Textile Sector

• Technology Upgradation Fund Scheme (TUFS): Provides financial help to the textile industry for the upgradation of technology.
• Scheme for Integrated Textile Cluster Development (ITCD): Provides financial help to the states for the development of textile clusters.
• Scheme for Restructuring and Revival of Sick Textile Undertakings (SRRSU): Provides financial help to the states for the restructuring and revival of sick textile undertakings.
• Scheme for Development of Khadi and Village Industries (KVIC): Provides financial help to the KVIC for the development of khadi and village industries.
• Scheme for Promotion of Technical Textiles (SPTT): Provides financial help to the textile industry for the development and promotion of technical textiles.
• Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP): Provides financial help to the states for the development of integrated textile parks.
• Scheme for Sustainable Production of Textiles (SPoT): Provides financial help to the textile industry for the adoption of sustainable production practices.
• Scheme for Textiles Export Promotion (TEXPRO): Provides financial help to the textile industry for the promotion of exports.
• Scheme for Capacity Building in Textiles (SCBT): Provides financial help to the textile industry for the upgradation of skills and the development of new capabilities.
• Scheme for Technology Upgradation for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (TUF for MSMEs): Provides financial help to (MSMEs) in the textile sector for the upgradation of technology.

Study the article on the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM)!

Samarth Scheme: Facts and Figures for UPSC

Overview
Name	Samarth
SAMARTH Full Form	Scheme For Capacity Building in the Textile Sector (SCBTS)
Launch	2017
Ministry	Ministry of Textiles
Target Sector	Organized and Traditional Textile Sector, excluding Spinning and Weaving.
Initial Budget Outlay	1300 Crore
Scheme Target / Objective	To Train 10 lakh youth in the Textile value chain.

Study the article on the Sahakar Mitra Scheme!

Concluding Remarks

The lack of a skilled workforce is a long-standing problem in almost every sector of the Indian economy, which results in arrested economic growth. The Samarth scheme aims to rectify this persistent problem in the Textile sector of the country by providing skill training. The need of the hour is the correct and timely implementation of the scheme to ensure better goal achievement. Furthermore, there is a need for more such sector-specific skill development schemes in every sector of the economy in order to make India the Global Factory.

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