Key Takeaways:
- The PMVBRY scheme has benefitted more than 2.07 million first-time employees since its launch on 15 August, according to the Ministry of Labour and Employment Year‑End Review 2025.
- The programme has enrolled 1,63,994 employers and 2,35,459 establishments on the PMVBRY portal, with an outlay of
99,446 crore to create over 35 million jobs in two years. - First-time employees receive one months wage (up to
15,000) while employers gain incentives for up to two years, with extended benefits for the manufacturing sector. - The ministry is developing a social security framework for gig and platform workers and has onboarded 12 major aggregators to date.
New Delhi ndash; More than two million first-time employees have benefited under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) since the scheme was launched on 15 August, the Ministry of Labour and Employment said in its Year‑End Review 2025. The government said 2,070,135 first-time workers enrolled under the scheme, while 1,63,994 employers and 2,35,459 establishments have registered on the PMVBRY portal.
PMVBRY scheme expands employment and social security
Designed to boost employment generation, enhance employability and strengthen social security across sectors, the PMVBRY scheme was proposed in the Union Budget 2024-25 with a particular focus on manufacturing. The scheme carries an outlay of
99,446 crore and aims to incentivise the creation of more than 35 million jobs over two years, including 19.2 million first‑time entrants to the workforce.
The government outlined the key financial incentives under the programme. First‑time employees are eligible for one months wage up to
15,000. Employers who generate additional employment receive incentives for up to two years, with further benefits extended for an additional two years in the manufacturing sector. These measures aim to reduce the cost of hiring and encourage formal sector absorption of new workers.
Officials said the portal registrations indicate early private sector engagement, with more than 2.35 lakh establishments signing up. The ministry highlighted that employer participation will be critical to meeting the schemes ambitious job creation targets and that monitoring mechanisms are in place to track outcomes against targets.
Beyond direct wage subsidies and employer incentives, the ministry is advancing a framework to extend social security coverage to gig and platform workers. The Year‑End Review notes that 12 major aggregators have already been onboarded as part of efforts to bring non‑traditional workers under a protective social security umbrella.
Analysts say the PMVBRY scheme addresses two pressing challenges for the Indian labour market: generating sufficient demand for new workers and improving formalisation of employment. By subsidising initial wages and offering employer incentives, the programme seeks to lower hiring barriers and create pathways for long‑term, formal employment.
Caveats remain. Implementation at scale will require tight coordination between central and state authorities, accurate monitoring of employment additionality, and timely disbursal of incentives. The government has signalled plans to refine operational guidelines and strengthen data systems to ensure that targeted beneficiaries receive promised support.
With employment generation high on the policy agenda, the PMVBRY scheme represents a significant fiscal commitment to catalyse job creation and extend social protection. The Year‑End Review suggests early traction, but much will depend on sustained employer participation and effective implementation over the coming months as the government seeks to meet the schemes two‑year targets.
