Kerala Issues Guidelines for Prajwala Connect to Work Scholarship Scheme

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has released detailed guidelines for the Prajwala Connect to Work scholarship, aimed at supporting young individuals pursuing skill development courses and seeking employment opportunities. Under the scheme, eligible candidates will receive a monthly assistance of 1,000 rupees for a maximum period of 12 months.

The programme targets youth between the ages of 18 and 30, with an estimated 5 lakh beneficiaries across the state. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had announced the project two weeks ago as part of the government’s broader employment and skill enhancement initiatives.

The beneficiary amount will be directly transferred bank account of beneficiaries, which are Aadhar linked. The applicants annual income should not exceed one lakh and also they shouldn't be receiving any other scholarship from any schemes.

The benefit is open to those undergoing recognised skill development training or preparing for competitive examinations such as the Union Public Service Commission, State Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission, defence, banking, railways or similar recruitment tests. Training programmes run by State and Central government departments, public sector undertakings and government-approved institutions are all covered under the scheme. The financial assistance will be discontinued, once a beneficiary secures employment during the scholarship period.

Applications must be submitted online through the Employment Directorate’s portal, eemployment.kerala.gov.in. The verification of applications will be carried out at multiple levels, with the Employment Directorate overseeing State-level monitoring and the disbursement process. Kerala Social Security Pension Ltd will process and transfer the scholarship amount after completing the verification.