A majority of Indian employers are aware of the government’s Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), but awareness has yet to translate into widespread readiness or participation, according to a new report from TeamLease Services, India’s leading staffing conglomerate.
The study, Employer Perspectives on the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, reveals a sharp paradox at the heart of the scheme. While 81% of employers reported some level of awareness, this figure is heavily skewed toward large enterprises (83%). In contrast, awareness among start-ups and micro businesses — the segment that stands to benefit most from hiring incentives of up to ₹3,000 per employee per month — remains a mere 5.4%.
Hiring up, PM-VBRY awareness low
The survey, covering over 1,200 employers across 23 industries, found that while 56% plan to expand their workforce in the second half of FY26, only 60.4% of this growth-focused group are familiar with PM-VBRY, suggesting a missed opportunity to align hiring demand with policy incentives.
Among those aware of the programme, motivation to participate stems more from long-term workforce priorities than short-term financial gains. Skill development emerged as the strongest driver, cited by 51.8% of employers, far ahead of direct hiring incentives (18.6%). About 39.7% valued job-retention incentives, while 29.9% emphasised workforce formalisation to enhance compliance and access to formal credit.
The report also found that awareness varies widely across organisational functions — compensation and benefits teams (71.7%) and talent acquisition professionals (68.4%) lead the pack, while HR generalists lag at 44.4%. Industry-wise, awareness is highest in FMCG (72.2%) and EV infrastructure (64.3%), but lowest in educational services (33.3%), pointing to the need for targeted outreach.
Why awareness gaps matter for workforce transformation
“India’s workforce stands at a pivotal juncture where transformation depends on both awareness and action,” said Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services. “While many employers know of PM-VBRY, 19% remain entirely unaware. Addressing these gaps can unlock disproportionate value, enabling organisations to strengthen capability, improve retention, and shape a resilient, future-ready workforce.”
TeamLease said the findings offer actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders. By focusing on skill enhancement, workforce continuity, and formalisation, it added, the government can drive broader, more inclusive participation and turn policy intent into sustainable employment growth across India’s diverse sectors.