♦ Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary launched the ‘Model Skill Loan Scheme’ in New Delhi. The scheme aims to empower the country’s future-ready workforce. Under the scheme, education and upskilling opportunities will be provided to 25 thousand youth across the country.

♦ The new scheme offers collateral-free loans of up to Rs.7.5 lakh and expands eligibility to include Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), NBFC-Micro Finance Institutions (NBFC-MFIs), and small finance banks. This initiative is part of a broader effort to develop a future-ready workforce by facilitating access to high-cost, advanced skill courses essential for meeting emerging industrial demands.

♦ The revised Model Skill Loan Scheme builds upon the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development (CCFSSD), launched in 2015, and aims to ensure a steady flow of affordable finance for low-income youth to pursue specialized skill courses.