Patna: Bihar is expanding the Kushal Yuva Programme (Digital Mitra) under Saat Nischay-3, with 871 Digital Mitra centres set to be allocated in the first phase. Online applications for the centres will begin on October 6, 2026.
The initiative comes under the first resolution of Saat Nischay-3, “Double Employment, Double Income”, and aims to expand opportunities for skill development, employment and income generation among young people.
The first phase will cover the 871 Kushal Yuva Programme operators who were still running centres when the previous Saat Nischay-2 period ended. Each eligible operator will receive an opportunity to get one Digital Mitra centre.
871 Existing Operators to Get One Centre Each
According to the Youth, Employment and Skill Development Department, all 871 eligible operators will be considered in the first phase.
Each operator will be allocated one Kushal Yuva Programme (Digital Mitra) centre. The move is intended to expand the reach of the programme by using an existing network of operators with experience in running skill-development centres.
The expansion is expected to strengthen the delivery of skill-oriented programmes at the local level while creating opportunities for operators to continue their association with Bihar’s skill-development ecosystem.
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Second Phase to Provide Additional Centres
The allocation will take place in more than one phase.
In the first phase, every eligible operator will receive one centre. The department has also planned a second phase for operators who had previously been running two or more centres.
Such operators will be eligible for the allocation of one additional centre in the second phase, according to the department’s plan.
This phased approach will allow the initial allocation to cover all 871 eligible operators before additional centres are considered.
Online Applications Begin on October 6
The online application process for the first phase will start from October 6, 2026.
Eligible operators can submit their applications through the Bihar Skill Development Mission portal. Detailed information regarding the application process and requirements will be made available on the portal.
Applicants who need assistance with the process can also contact the department’s dedicated helpline at 18002965656.
The application process is therefore expected to provide an online route for eligible operators to apply for centre allocation without relying on a fully manual process.
Cabinet Approved Digital Mitra Programme in August
The expansion follows the Bihar Cabinet’s approval for operating the Kushal Yuva Programme (Digital Mitra) on August 12, 2026.
Following the approval, the Bihar Skill Development Mission issued an approval order on August 19, 2026, outlining the process for operating the centres.
The department said approval for centre operations will follow the applicable provisions of the Bihar Finance (Revised) Rules, 2024, along with the standard operating procedure prescribed by the governing body of the Bihar Skill Development Mission.
This framework is intended to establish a defined system for the enrolment and operation of Digital Mitra centres.
Focus on Skills, Employment and Income
The Digital Mitra expansion has been linked with the broader objective of Saat Nischay-3’s “Double Employment, Double Income” resolution.
Skill development is an important part of improving young people’s access to employment and income opportunities. By expanding the network of centres, Bihar aims to create a wider local platform through which skill-development activities can reach more communities.
The model also provides continuity to operators who were already associated with the Kushal Yuva Programme. Instead of creating an entirely new network, the first phase uses the existing pool of 871 operators.
For local communities, a larger network of skill-development centres can potentially make training and employment-oriented programmes more accessible closer to where young people live.
What the Expansion Means for the Skill Ecosystem
The allocation of 871 Digital Mitra centres represents a significant expansion of Bihar’s skill-development infrastructure.
For existing operators, the first phase offers a structured opportunity to continue operating under the Digital Mitra framework. For the government, the existing operator network provides a ready base for expanding programme delivery.
The second phase could further widen the network by allowing eligible operators with experience of managing multiple centres to receive an additional centre.
The success of the initiative will depend on effective implementation, adherence to the prescribed operating standards and the ability of centres to deliver meaningful skill-development opportunities to young people.
A Local Network for Bihar’s Employment Push
Bihar’s decision to expand the Kushal Yuva Programme through Digital Mitra centres reflects the state’s focus on linking skill development with its wider employment and income-generation goals.
With applications beginning on October 6, the first phase will focus on the 871 operators eligible for one centre each. The planned second phase will then address additional centre allocations for qualifying operators.
If implemented effectively, the expanded network could strengthen Bihar’s local skill-development infrastructure and provide young people with better access to employment-oriented training opportunities.
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