Bengaluru, Jan 22: TeamLease Services, India’s leading staffing conglomerate revolutionising employment, employability, and ease of doing business, has released a new report, Employer Perspectives on the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana. The report highlights a clear paradox at the heart of the initiative. While 81% of employers report some awareness of the scheme, this is largely concentrated among large organisations at 83%. In contrast, start-ups and micro businesses, which stand to benefit most from hiring incentives of up to INR 3,000 per employee per month, show only 5.4% awareness.

This comprehensive survey of over 1,200 employers across 23 industries provides a detailed view of PM-VBRY awareness. It highlights that awareness of the scheme alone does not always translate into readiness or participation. While many employers are familiar with the scheme, alignment with hiring plans remains uneven. Although 56% of surveyed employers plan to expand their workforce in the second half of FY26, awareness among this growth-oriented segment stands at 60.4%, pointing to an opportunity to better connect active hiring demand with the scheme.

Among employers who are aware, participation is driven more by long-term workforce priorities than immediate financial incentives. Support for skill development leads as the strongest driver, cited by 51.8% of employers, well ahead of direct hiring incentives at 18.6%, indicating a focus on strengthening job readiness and productivity. This long-term perspective also extends to workforce stability, with 39.7% of employers valuing job retention incentives to maintain consistent performance. Workforce formalisation is important for 29.9% of respondents, particularly for organisations seeking stronger compliance, structured employment practices, and improved access to formal credit channels.

The report also notes variation across organisational roles. Compensation and benefits teams demonstrate the highest awareness at 71.7%, followed by talent acquisition professionals at 68.4%, while HR generalists report lower awareness at 44.4%. Industry trends mirror this pattern, with higher awareness in sectors such as FMCG at 72.2% and EV infrastructure at 64.3%, and lower familiarity in service-oriented sectors such as educational services at 33.3%, reinforcing the need for targeted outreach.

Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services, said,

“India’s workforce stands at a pivotal juncture where transformation depends on both awareness and action. Our survey highlights that while many employers know of PM-VBRY, while 19% remain entirely unaware, creating uneven engagement across sectors. Addressing these gaps can unlock disproportionate value, enabling organisations to strengthen capability, improve retention, and shape a resilient, future-ready workforce that translates policy intent into sustainable economic and social outcomes.”

The findings from this report provide actionable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and HR professionals seeking to maximise the impact of PM-VBRY. Focusing on structured skill enhancement, workforce continuity, and formalisation can encourage broader participation. This approach enables organisations to fully leverage the scheme and contribute to creating substantial, sustainable employment across India’s diverse sectors.