UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ​​​​​​​Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship completes 12 Years of Skills, Scale and Transformation; Building One of the World's Largest Skilling Ecosystems

Q1. Which one of the following is the principal implementing agency of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, set up as a Public-Private Partnership (Section 8 company) to catalyse private sector participation in skill training?

  • A. National Skill Development Agency (NSDA)
  • B. National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)
  • C. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
  • D. Directorate General of Training (DGT)

Q2. With reference to the institutional evolution of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), consider the following statements: 1. Prior to MSDE's creation, skill development schemes were being implemented in a scattered manner across more than 20 Union ministries and departments. 2. MSDE was carved out as a full-fledged Ministry in November 2014, the same year in which the National Skill Development Mission was launched. 3. The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of MSDE concurrently holds charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Education. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Prior to MSDE's creation, skill development schemes were being implemented in a scattered manner across more than 20 Union ministries and departments.
  2. MSDE was carved out as a full-fledged Ministry in November 2014, the same year in which the National Skill Development Mission was launched.
  3. The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of MSDE concurrently holds charge as Minister of State in the Ministry of Education.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. In which year was the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) notified by the Government of India to function as the overarching regulator of the vocational education, training and skilling ecosystem?

  • A. 2014
  • B. 2015
  • C. 2018
  • D. 2020

Q4. With reference to the restructured 'Skill India Programme (SIP)' approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2025, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is implemented as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a fixed Centre-State cost-sharing pattern.
  2. Under its Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) component, the Central Government contributes 25 per cent of the prescribed stipend, subject to a ceiling of Rs. 1,500 per month, paid directly to the apprentice through Direct Benefit Transfer.
  3. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, PM-NAPS and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan scheme have all been subsumed as components of the composite Skill India Programme.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The Central Sector Scheme 'Skill India Programme', whose continuation and restructuring was approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2025 with an outlay of Rs. 8,800 crore, is administered by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Education
  • B. Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • C. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • D. Ministry of Rural Development

Q6. In the context of the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), the component 'Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A long-duration residential training course for first-time entrants to the workforce who have no prior vocational exposure
  • B. Assessment and certification of individuals already possessing informal skills or work experience, through orientation or bridge courses
  • C. Mandatory on-the-job apprenticeship contracts between industry establishments and ITI pass-outs
  • D. Cross-recognition of foreign vocational certificates obtained by Indian migrant workers at Skill India International Centres

Q7. Which one of the following is the flagship short-term skill training scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, launched on 15 July 2015 (World Youth Skills Day) and currently in its 4.0 phase?

  • A. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY)
  • B. Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)
  • C. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
  • D. Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme

Q8. Which of the following is the nodal Union Ministry for the implementation of the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)?

  • A. Ministry of Labour and Employment
  • B. Ministry of Education
  • C. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • D. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Q9. Which of the following is the apex statutory body constituted under the Apprentices Act, 1961 that recommends revisions in the stipend payable to apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)?

  • A. National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)
  • B. Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC)
  • C. National Skill Development Agency (NSDA)
  • D. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)

Q10. The National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Upgradation (PM-SETU), approved as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, envisages co-financing of 50% of the Central share equally by which one of the following pairs of multilateral institutions?

  • A. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and World Bank
  • B. Asian Development Bank and World Bank
  • C. Asian Development Bank and International Finance Corporation
  • D. Asian Development Bank and New Development Bank

Q11. Which one of the following is the designated implementing arm for ethical and transparent international recruitment of skilled Indians under the Skill India International Mission?

  • A. NSDC International Limited
  • B. Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
  • C. Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC)
  • D. Protector General of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs

Q12. The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme, in its original form launched in 1967, was known by which one of the following names?

  • A. Shramik Vidyapeeth
  • B. Saakshar Bharat Mission
  • C. National Adult Education Programme
  • D. Nehru Yuva Kendra

Q13. Which one of the following is the nodal Union Ministry currently responsible for implementing the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme?

  • A. Ministry of Education
  • B. Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
  • C. Ministry of Rural Development
  • D. Ministry of Labour and Employment