Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a component of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) Scheme in which individuals with prior learning experience or skills are assessed and certified.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) in the year 2015. This Scheme was further extended in the year 2016. The objective of this Skill Certification Scheme was to enable a large number of Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a component of PMKVY Scheme. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) largely refers to an assessment process used to evaluate a person's existing skill sets, knowledge and experience gained either by formal, non-formal or informal learning.

Significant Features of RPL

• No fee is charged from a candidate for participating in the RPL program
• RPL recognizes the value of learning acquired outside a formal setting and provides a government certificate for an individual’s skills
• Every successfully certified candidate receives INR 500
• Candidate receive exposure to concepts of digital and financial literacy
• Candidate receive an accidental insurance coverage for three years at free of cost

Objectives

• It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the standardized National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF).
• To enhance the employability opportunities of an individual as well as provide alternative routes to higher education.
• To provide opportunities for reducing inequalities based on privileging certain forms of knowledge over others.

Eligibility Criteria

Project Implementing Agency

PIA can be any legal entity such as SSC, Industry Association, Training Partner, Government Body, NGO and Corporate, except Assessment Agency.

RPL Candidate

RPL is applicable to any candidate of Indian nationality who

• On the date of enrolment, fits the minimum age criteria as per the Qualification Pack (QP) requirements
• Possesses an Aadhaar Card [verifiable alternate IDs, such as PAN or Voter ID may be applicable for Jammu & / Kashmir (J&K) and certain states in the North-East Region] and a bank account, and
• Fits the pre-screening criteria defined by SSC for the respective job role

Delivery Channels

RPL under PMKVY can be implemented via the following four modes. Process of implementation largely remains the same in all four modes.

• RPL at Camps
• RPL at Employer's Premise
• RPL at Centres
• RPL with Best in Class Employers

Process of RPL

RPL under PMKVY involves a 5 step process:

Mobilization

Mobilization involves activities related to the mobilization of potential candidates who are skilled but uncertified.

Counselling and Pre-screening

Potential candidates are counselled about PMKVY, what is RPL, and how the skill certification will assist them in transforming their life. After counselling, a pre-screening test is conducted to ascertain the job role which matches the prior knowledge and existing skill sets of the potential candidates. Pre-screening test involves the collection of supporting documentation/evidence from the candidates and a candidate self-assessment.

Orientation

All candidates are mandatorily provided an orientation of 12 hours. This orientation includes 6 hours of domain-specific training, 4 hours of training on soft skills and entrepreneurship, and 2 hours on familiarization with the assessment processes and methods. Knowledge gaps identified during the counselling stage are also addressed during the orientation delivery.

Final Assessment

Assessment of candidates is conducted by the assessment bodies accredited by the Sector Skill Councils (SSCs). Under PMKVY RPL, the candidate is assessed on both core as well as non-core National Occupational Standards (NOS) of a Qualification Pack (QP). Core NOSs carry 70% weightage and non-core NOSs carry 30% weightage in the total assessment score of the candidate. SSCs may choose to conduct offline as well as online assessment depending upon the characteristic of the sector and availability of online modules.

Certification, Mark Sheet and Pay-Out Distribution to Candidates

SSC upon approving the result issues the certificate to the successful candidate. Pass percentage in the assessment exam for job roles of NSQF level 1, 2, 3 is 50% and for job roles of NSQF level 4 and above is 70%. A candidate who achieves greater than or equal to the pass percentage for a QP is awarded the PMKVY RPL certificate, mark sheet and a candidate pay-out of INR 500. A candidate who achieves less than the pass percentage mentioned for a QP, but at least 30% or above of the total score, receives only mark sheet and candidate pay-out of INR 500. A candidate who scores less than 30% of the total score, shall receive only the mark sheet and be encouraged to undergo Short Term Training under PMKVY.