Jayant Chaudhary on Wednesday launched a national campaign to build a first-of-its-kind Skills Outcomes Fund, aimed at creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for youth from low-income backgrounds by directly linking skilling investments to verified employment outcomes.
The proposed fund will be anchored by National Skill Development Corporation under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, with support from industry and philanthropic partners. It seeks to mobilise public and private capital to scale outcomes-based financing (OBF), positioning India as a global leader in this model, as highlighted at the Outcomes Finance Alliance Summit 2026.
Addressing a funder roundtable hosted by British Asian Trust, Chaudhary said the initiative marks a shift towards ensuring skills translate into “real opportunities, sustained employment, and dignity of work.” Officials noted that the model moves beyond enrolment-based metrics to focus on job placement, retention, and career growth.
The initiative builds on the success of the Skill Impact Bond, which trained over 34,000 youth across 21 states, achieving strong placement and retention outcomes exceeding national benchmarks.
In Guwahati, the fund could boost demand-driven skilling in sectors like logistics, healthcare, and services, aligning youth training with local industry needs. Experts believe such outcome-linked financing can improve employability and support regional economic growth by bridging skill gaps in Assam’s expanding urban market.