Skill development programmes in rural India have been designed to enhance employability, improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, and promote inclusive growth by equipping rural youth, women, and disadvantaged groups with market-relevant skills. These programmes aim to bridge the gap between education and employment, address underemployment in agriculture, and enable diversification of rural occupations. The Government of India, in collaboration with state governments, private institutions, and non-governmental organizations, has implemented several schemes focusing on vocational training, entrepreneurship, and capacity building. One of the flagship initiatives is the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, which provides short-term skill training and recognition of prior learning to rural and urban youth. In rural areas, this programme focuses on trades such as agriculture-related skills, construction, retail, tailoring, plumbing, electrical work, and other locally relevant vocations. Training is aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework to ensure standardized certification, and financial incentives are provided to encourage participation among economically weaker sections. The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana is a major programme specifically targeted at rural youth from poor households. It emphasizes placement-linked skill training, ensuring that trainees secure wage employment after completing the course. The programme covers a wide range of sectors such as manufacturing,