Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday distributed over 51,000 appointment letters to newly recruited youth across various government departments and organisations under the ongoing Rozgar Mela initiative.
The event, organised across 40 locations in India, marked the 17th National Rozgar Mela. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister also launched the "Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY)", a massive employment scheme aimed at creating 3.5 crore jobs over the next two years.
Addressing the gathering through a video message, PM Modi said that employment fairs have become a "powerful medium for fulfilling the dreams of India's youth." He noted that since the launch of Rozgar Melas in October 2022, over 11 lakh appointment letters have been issued nationwide.
"India's progress toward a Viksit Bharat depends on its youth. Our government considers the energy, innovation, and skill of young Indians as the country's greatest strength," the Prime Minister said.
At the Delhi venue, hundreds of recruits received their joining letters, while similar distribution events were held in states including Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Odisha.
The newly launched Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) has been approved with an outlay of ₹99,446 crore, targeting job creation in both government and private sectors.
According to the Ministry of Labour & Employment, the scheme aims to create 3.5 crore new jobs between August 2025 and July 2027, including 1.9 crore first-time employees in the formal workforce.
Key features include:
Direct incentives of up to ₹15,000 for first-time employees joining the formal workforce.
Employer incentives of up to ₹3,000 per month per new hire for one year to encourage fresh recruitment.
Priority for the manufacturing sector, MSMEs, and startups that create net new jobs.
Digital registration through the official portal pmvbry.epfindia.gov.in and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for transparent disbursal.
The incentives will be linked to EPFO registration, ensuring social security coverage for all beneficiaries. Youth earning up to ₹1 lakh per month will be eligible under the employee component of the scheme.
Highlighting the broader employment ecosystem, PM Modi mentioned government initiatives such as the Skill India Mission, Steel India Campaign, National Career Service (NCS) platform, and Pratibha Setu Portal, which together aim to connect skilled youth with emerging job opportunities.
Through the NCS portal alone, information on over 7 crore vacancies has been shared with job seekers nationwide.
"Our government is not only creating jobs but also ensuring that youth have the right skills to seize those opportunities," the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said India's foreign policy and international MoUs now also include provisions for youth training and employment exchanges, reflecting a global approach to job creation.
He added that the country's economic diplomacy now integrates "skilling, upskilling, and job mobility" as key areas for cooperation with partner nations.
Under the PM-VBRY, digital verification through Aadhaar-linked EPFO accounts and face authentication on the UMANG app will be used to ensure that benefits reach genuine beneficiaries.
The Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana is part of the government's larger goal to make India a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India) by 2047, where inclusive growth and employment generation are key pillars.
Officials said that the initiative is expected to boost formal sector employment by 6-8% in its first phase, particularly across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
The Prime Minister concluded his address by urging the newly appointed recruits to dedicate their efforts toward nation-building. "Each appointment letter represents a new hope for a stronger and self-reliant India," he said.