CAG exposes critical flaws in MeitY skill schemes: Multiple enrolments, low placements, data gaps

New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on Thursday exposed glaring deficiencies in skill development initiatives under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), uncovering multiple registrations of candidates with similar demographic details, dismal placement rates, and pervasive data validation mismatches.

In its report tabled in Parliament, CAG flagged a low enrolment rate in deep-skilling paid courses under Future Skills Prime (FSP) and a stark lack of industry recognition for its certifications, severely denting learners' motivation. The audit scrutinized three key programs: skill development in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM-I and II), skill development of youth in aspirational districts (SDYAD), and Future Skills PRIME (FSP).

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"In the ESDM schemes, while overall enrolment and certification numbers were significant, issues were noted in maintaining the uniqueness of beneficiaries due to instances of multiple registrations of candidates with similar demographic details," the report stated bluntly.

CAG highlighted that ESDM schemes were run by a Programme Management Unit (PMU) via affiliated Training Partners (TPs), yet 33 out of 40 TPs failed to collect mandatory registration-cum-certification fees. "Delays were observed in the conduct of assessments and in the issuance of certificates, affecting the timely progress of beneficiaries. Placement levels remained modest, and delayed implementation of the ‘Place and Train’ model limited the placement support available to candidates certified previously," the report added.

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Further lapses included tracking trainees for just three months instead of the mandated one year, with TPs' reimbursement claims lingering unpaid for months due to processing delays.

In SDYAD, CAG found Training Partners (TPs) absent in several districts, leaving zero registrations there. "The registration portal lacked provision for uploading supporting documents, which led to data validation gaps, including multiple registrations and invalid entries. Placement outcomes were low compared to the number of trained and certified candidates," the report noted.

Despite substantial outreach and training coverage, CAG concluded that implementation gaps, weak monitoring, and fund management failures undermined timely certification and employability gains across these schemes.

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