The National Career Service Centre (NCSC) for SC/ST, Guwahati, operating under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, offered free and stipendiary skill development training programmes for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) youth for the 2026-27 academic session. The application window for these programmes closed on May 31, 2026.
This initiative aimed to enhance the employability and technical skills of unemployed SC/ST youth in Assam, addressing a critical need for skilled manpower and providing pathways to gainful employment. The programmes covered a range of technical skills, including emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence, aligning with national efforts to boost skill development among marginalized communities.
What was announced
The National Career Service Centre for SC/ST, Guwahati, invited applications from eligible SC/ST jobseekers for various free skill development and training programmes for the 2026-27 session. The announcement was made by the Centre, which functions under the Directorate General of Employment, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
The training programmes were designed to enhance employability, technical skills, and career opportunities for unemployed youth from SC/ST communities. These courses were scheduled to commence from July 1, 2026, at various training centres.
Why it matters
The skill development programmes are crucial for bridging the employment gap faced by SC/ST youth in Assam and across India. Such initiatives align with the government’s broader objective to enhance career and employment opportunities, provide vocational guidance, and increase the participation of the labour force in various sectors.
According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data for 2023-24, Assam’s overall unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 3.9 percent, which is above the national average of 3.2 percent. Urban areas in Assam faced higher stress, with an unemployment rate of 7.4 percent, and urban women were particularly affected, recording a rate of 11.8 percent. The number of registered educated job-seekers in Assam also saw a sharp rise, reaching 21.16 lakh in 2024, indicating a significant disparity between educational attainment and available job opportunities.
The NCSC programmes aim to equip these jobseekers with demand-driven skills, making them more acceptable to employers in both public and private sectors. By offering free training and stipends, the government seeks to remove financial barriers that often prevent marginalized youth from accessing quality skill education.
Background
The National Career Service Centres (NCSCs) for SC/STs, formerly known as Coaching-cum-Guidance Centres for SC/STs, were established based on recommendations from the Elayaperumal Committee in 1969. The committee suggested that State Directors of Employment and Training should organize various training courses to improve the employability of Scheduled Caste applicants.
These centres function as subordinate offices of the Directorate General of Employment (DGE) in various parts of the country, with 25 such centres currently operational, including one in Guwahati. Their primary objective is to enhance the employability of educated SC/ST jobseekers through counselling, coaching, and training.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment, through the DGE, has been actively implementing schemes like the National Career Service (NCS) project, launched in 2015, to bridge the gap between job-seekers and employers. The NCS portal provides a one-stop solution for job matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, and information on skill development courses.
Other significant government initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), which provides free training to youth across various sectors, and PM-DAKSH, specifically designed for SC/ST communities, offering free skill training and a monthly allowance with a job placement guarantee. The PM-DAKSH scheme aims to train up to 40 lakh young people, with over 25 lakh already trained by 2026, and boasts an 80 percent successful job placement rate.
Key details
The programmes offered by NCSC Guwahati for the 2026-27 session included a range of one-year courses and a specialized two-month foundation course.
The one-year courses were:
- Special Coaching Scheme
- ‘O’ Level Software Training
- Computer Hardware Maintenance Training
- Office Automation, Accounting and Publishing Assistant
- Computer Application and Business Accounting Associate
- Cyber Secured Web Development Associate Programme
Additionally, a two-month foundation course on Artificial Intelligence Technology was introduced.
Eligibility criteria for applicants included being between 18 and 30 years of age and having passed the Higher Secondary (10+2) examination. Candidates from families with an annual income of up to ₹3 lakh were eligible. Selected candidates for most courses were to receive a monthly stipend of up to ₹1,000, along with free books and stationery, as per government norms. However, the Artificial Intelligence Foundation course, while free of cost, did not include a stipend facility.
The application deadline for these programmes was May 31, 2026.
What’s next
With the application window now closed, the National Career Service Centre for SC/ST, Guwahati, will proceed with the selection process for the candidates. The training programmes are scheduled to commence from July 1, 2026. These selected youth will embark on their training, which is expected to significantly enhance their skills and improve their prospects in the competitive job market. The Ministry of Labour and Employment continues to monitor and implement various skill development initiatives to support marginalized communities across the country.