Vidya Kaushal

Vidya Kaushal a first of its kind is developed to enable any Indian individual to apply for financial assistance/loan to pursue skill development training courses.

Vidya Kaushal

Vidya Kaushal is an initiative of National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) The unique skill platform aims to provide truly seamless access to skill loan funding aligned with the national vision of developing a skilled India, creating greater employment opportunities and employable skills. The objective is to enable candidates to pursue vocational or technical education without getting restricted by funds or affordability.

Vidya Kaushal is a one-stop platform for students in need of loan for skill development. It facilitates skill development loans to students pursuing courses by Training Partners (TPs) under National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). It gives multiple skill financing options to students via the common portal. Just by filling up one single form, a student would be able to apply for a skill loan offered by multiple Non-Banking Financial Institutes (NBFCs).

Skill Financing

India, today is in a unique position with more than 50% of its population below the age of 25 providing the nation with a great opportunity to create a highly-skilled workforce.

However, with the advent of newer technologies, the job market is getting more competitive and students are finding it difficult to get hold of the right job. Alternatively, globalisation and competition have intensified the need for a highly-skilled workforce especially in a developing country like India. So, students are vying for skilled focused courses to enhance their competencies. 

In recent years, the Government has also kept a sharp focus on Youth Skill Development and has launched many skill development schemes and programs. Skill financing plays an extremely important role in this scenario, as it provides simplified access to funding for students who aspire to pursue Skill development courses. Thus, Vidya Kaushal platform provides this option for availing a loan to cover the cost of the program.

Features of Vidya Kaushal

Vidya Kaushal portal provides a single window for students to access information and make an application for skill loans provided by NBFC's. Vidya Kaushal Platform provides the following broad features for various stakeholders

For Individuals

• Access to wide range of skill loan financing options
• Access to wider range of courses and centres
• Easier way to select training centre as per their needs
• Help in decision making in choosing a career path
• Online status tracking of application
• Online grievance management system

For Training Partners and Centres

• Enabling better conversion of candidate
• Better mobilization of candidates
• Will provide pan India visibility
• Will increase access to fee based enrolments
• Better methods and tools for assessment of a student
• Better monitoring and control on candidate application

For Financial Institutions

• Platform provides leads of authenticated loan applicant profiles
• Opportunity to contribute to skill India mission.
• Availability of verified/authenticated data
• High level dashboard
• Segregation of applications can be customized (based on TP/TC/course etc.)

Eligibility for Vidya Kaushal

Any individual who is willing to pursue skill development training course and is eligible for the said course can apply for financial assistance/loan.

Apply Skill Loan

• Interested candidates need to register on the Vidya Kaushal portal https://www.vidyakaushal.com/Vidyakaushal/registerStudent
• Documents required– including, but not limited to proof of identity, proof of address, proof of income (of self or guardian, if available)
• Post successful registration, candidate can select their preferred sector/ role/ centre
• Visit the centre of your choice for counselling
• Raise loan request through centre, if required
• Evaluate and accept/ reject loan offers based on preference
• Disbursement of loan directly to partner/ centre post confirmation

Source: Vidya Kaushal Portal