In a bid to address the issue of unemployment among the youth, the Karnataka government, led by the Congress party, has recently launched the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme. This initiative aims to provide a monthly stipend to unemployed graduates and diploma holders who completed their education in the academic year 2022-23 and have remained jobless for more than 180 days after completion.
Scheme Details:
Under the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme, eligible beneficiaries will receive a monthly stipend of ₹3,000 for graduates and ₹1,500 for diploma holders. The scheme is designed to offer financial assistance for two years, or until the beneficiary secures employment, whichever comes first. The state government has allocated ₹250 crore for the scheme in the current financial year, anticipating an annual expenditure of ₹1,200 crore next year and ₹1,500 crore annually from 2026 onwards.
Eligibility Criteria:
To qualify for the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. They must be residents of Karnataka, have completed their degree or diploma in the academic year 2022-23, and have been unable to secure employment within six months of completing their education. Those already benefiting from similar schemes, students pursuing higher education, and self-employed individuals who have availed loans are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must link their Aadhaar to their bank accounts to receive the stipend.
How to apply for the Yuva Nidhi scheme:
Online Application: The online application process involves the following steps:
- Visit the Seva Sindhu Guarantee Schemes Portal.
- Click on the ‘Yuva Nidhi Yojana’ option.
- Select ‘Click here to apply.
- Fill out the application form and upload the required documents.
- Click the ‘Submit’ button to receive an acknowledgment number.
Application Form Download: To download the scheme’s application form, follow these steps:
- Visit the Seva Sindhu Guarantee Schemes Portal.
- Click on the ‘Yuva Nidhi Yojana’ option.
- Choose ‘Click here to download the application.
- Download the ‘Yuva Nidhi Scheme’ application form.
- Complete the form, attach the necessary documents, and submit it to the concerned officials.
Beneficiary Status:
The government will publish the list of beneficiaries on the official Seva Sindhu Guarantee Schemes Portal. Applicants can check their beneficiary status on the portal after applying for the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized that beneficiaries under the scheme would receive skill development training. The two-year duration of the scheme is contingent upon the beneficiary securing employment, whether in the private or government sector. The skill development department will determine the training provided to enhance the employability of the beneficiaries.
Other Congress Guarantees:
The ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme is the fifth guarantee introduced by the Congress government in Karnataka. Previous guarantees include ‘Shakti,’ offering free rides to women in non-luxury government buses, ‘Anna Bhagya,’ providing 10 kg of rice to BPL families, ‘Gruha Jyoti,’ offering free electricity up to 200 units to households, and ‘Gruha Lakshmi,’ providing ₹2,000 monthly to women heads of families with APL/BPL ration cards.
The launch of the ‘Yuva Nidhi’ scheme by the Karnataka government is a significant step towards addressing the issue of unemployment among graduates and diploma holders. By providing a financial safety net for a limited period, coupled with skill development initiatives, the government aims to empower the youth and enhance their employability. The success of this scheme will not only alleviate the financial burden on the unemployed but also contribute to the overall economic development of the state.