The Bihar government has approved the extension of the Kushal Yuva Programme for another five years. The scheme will now continue from the financial year 2026-27 to 2030-31.The government has allocated ₹430.08 crore for the programme in 2026-27. The scheme aims to improve the employability and skills of young people in Bihar.According to Additional Chief Secretary (Cabinet) Md Sohail, the course curriculum will be updated to keep up with developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology.
New courses to be added
The updated training programme will include several new areas. These include:
- Solar energy
- Drone technology
- Networking
- Home nursing
- Multi-skilled laboratory technician training
- Emergency medical technician training
- Beauty and wellness
- Web and information technology
- Digital marketing
- Banking and financial services
- Tally
- Language skills
- Entrepreneurship
The scheme currently has a network of 6,436 training centres. These centres are expected to train around 2.57 lakh youths every year.The government expects the programme to support both employment and self-employment. Trained candidates will be able to use their skills to find jobs or start their own businesses.
Who can apply for Kushal Yuva Programme?
The programme is open to young people aged 15 to 28 years who have passed Class 10.The age limit is relaxed for certain categories:
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST): Up to 33 years
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): Up to 31 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Up to 33 years
Candidates can join the training even if they are pursuing or have already completed a higher education course or degree.Youth aged 20 to 25 years who have opted for and been sanctioned the self-help allowance are also required to complete the training.
What does the Kushal Yuva course cover?
The Kushal Yuva Programme focuses on three main areas:
- Life skills
- Communication skills in English and Hindi
- Basic computer literacy
The complete course is 240 hours long. This includes 40 hours of life skills training, 80 hours of communication skills training and around 120 hours of basic computer literacy training.
When is the Kushal Yuva exam held?
The Kushal Yuva Programme examination is conducted in the last week of every month.The exam is held in four slots:
- First slot: 8 am to 10 am
- Second slot: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
- Third slot: 1 pm to 3 pm
- Fourth slot: 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm
The scheme was introduced to improve skill development opportunities for young people in Bihar by increasing training capacity, expanding access, making courses more relevant and improving awareness about skill-based education and training.Candidates can check the official Kushal Yuva Programme website for more information about registration, training centres, eligibility and examinations.
