Skills Outcomes Fund launched to scale outcomes-based financing in India’s skilling ecosystem

Key facts

• Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) Jayant Chaudhary launched the campaign to build the Skills Outcomes Fund on 8 April 2026.
• The fund will be anchored by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
• It aims to mobilise public and private capital to scale outcomes-based financing (OBF) and link investments directly to verified employment outcomes for youth from low-income backgrounds.
• The initiative builds on the success of India’s first OBF initiative, the Skill Impact Bond, launched by NSDC in 2021 with an outlay of approximately ₹130 crore.
• The Skill Impact Bond has trained over 34,000 youth across 21 states in 16 sectors for more than 30 job roles, with 92% certified, 76% placed, and 62% retained in jobs.
• The Skills Outcomes Fund will use a blended finance model, supplementing government funding with private sector funding and focusing on employer-led, demand-driven skilling in sectors such as IT-ITeS, BFSI, automotive, healthcare, logistics, green jobs, and electronics.