Unemployment among educated youth has been one of the most pressing challenges for governments across India. While education equips young people with knowledge and skills, a lack of suitable employment opportunities often leads to frustration, under-utilization of talent, and social insecurity. Recognizing this issue, the Government of Haryana launched the “Educated Youth Allowance and Honorarium Scheme (EYAHS)” in 2016, popularly known as the Saksham Yuva Yojana (SYS).
This ambitious scheme was designed to support unemployed youth who have completed at least 10+2 education, by providing them with monthly unemployment allowance and opportunities to earn an honorarium through honorary assignments in government departments, boards, corporations, registered societies, and even private companies.
Vision and Objectives of the Scheme
The Saksham Yuva Yojana is not merely about giving financial assistance. Its vision is broader: to create an ecosystem where educated youth can prepare themselves for meaningful employment and entrepreneurship.
Key Objectives
- Financial Assistance to Educated Youth
Provide monthly unemployment allowance to eligible youth who are struggling to find jobs despite being qualified. - Skill Upgradation through Honorarium Work
Offer opportunities to engage in honorary assignments in various departments and organizations, enabling youth to gain real-world experience. - Flexibility in Career Choices
Empower youth to select sectors where they would like to develop skills, giving them agency over their career development. - Transition to Employment or Self-Employment
By providing financial aid and work exposure, the scheme aims to bridge the gap between education and employment, ultimately leading to either job placements or self-employment.
Key Definitions (Simplified)
To understand how the scheme functions, let’s break down some important terms:
- Aadhaar: Unique identity number issued by UIDAI, used for authentication and direct benefit transfers.
- APBS (Aadhaar Payment Bridge System): A system that ensures direct transfer of allowance/honorarium into the beneficiary’s bank account.
- Eligible Applicant: An educated unemployed youth who is a domicile of Haryana and fulfills eligibility conditions.
- Allowance: Monthly unemployment financial assistance.
- Honorarium: Payment made for honorary assignments (up to 100 hours per month).
- Employment Exchange: Government-run centers for job registration and matching.
- Live Register: Database of individuals registered with employment exchanges.
- Honorary Assignment: Temporary or part-time work offered by government/private organizations, not considered formal employment (labour laws don’t apply).
Components of the Scheme
The scheme has two main sub-schemes:
- Unemployment Allowance Component
- Honorarium Component
1. Unemployment Allowance Sub-Scheme
This component ensures monthly financial support to unemployed youth who fulfill eligibility conditions.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a domicile of Haryana.
- Age: 21 to 35 years.
- Educational qualification: Minimum 10+2 (Intermediate) from recognized boards, graduates, or postgraduates.
- Should be registered in the Live Register of any Employment Exchange in Haryana:
- 10+2 or Graduate applicants must have been registered for at least 3 years as of 1st November of a given year.
- New applicants can register online at.
- Annual family income should not exceed ₹3 lakhs.
- Should not be employed in government, private, or self-employment.
- Should not be dismissed from government service.
Rates of Unemployment Allowance
| Qualification Level | Monthly Allowance (₹) |
|---|---|
| 10+2 or equivalent | 900 |
| Graduate or equivalent | 1,500 |
| Post-Graduate or higher | 3,000 |
2. Honorarium Sub-Scheme
This component offers opportunities to work for up to 100 hours per month in government departments, boards, corporations, societies, or private enterprises, in exchange for an honorarium of up to ₹6,000/month.
Honorarium Details
- The maximum honorarium: ₹6,000 per month.
- Payment Model in Government Assignments:
- 25% of honorarium (₹60/hour) paid by the Employment Department.
- 75% paid by the indenting department (where the youth is engaged).
- Payment Model in Private Companies:
- Entire honorarium paid by the concerned private enterprise.
- From April 2018 onwards, unemployment allowance for those deployed in private companies is also paid by the companies themselves.
Eligibility for Honorarium Assignments
- Domicile of Haryana.
- Registered in Employment Exchange (or registered online).
- Educational Qualification:
- 10+2 (regular mode, from schools recognized by HBSE, CBSE, ICSE, located in Haryana or Chandigarh).
- Graduate/Postgraduate (regular courses from recognized universities in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, or Punjabi University, Patiala).
- Age Limit:
- 18–35 years (for 10+2).
- 21–35 years (for graduates/postgraduates).
- Should not be a regular student, self-employed, or employed elsewhere.
- Family income not exceeding ₹3 lakhs annually.
- Maximum duration: 3 years (36 months) or till the applicant reaches 35 years of age, whichever is earlier.
How the Scheme Works
- Registration
- Eligible youth must register at their Employment Exchange or online through.
- Verification
- Documents such as Aadhaar, educational certificates, domicile certificate, and income proof are verified.
- Allowance Disbursement
- Eligible candidates receive monthly unemployment allowance directly in their bank accounts via DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
- Honorary Assignment
- Based on departmental requirements, youth are assigned up to 100 hours of honorary work per month.
- Work may include office assistance, project support, data entry, outreach programs, etc.
- Honorarium is credited based on hours worked.
Benefits of the Scheme
- Financial Security – Provides a safety net to unemployed educated youth.
- Skill Development – Work exposure enhances employability and confidence.
- Flexibility – Youth can choose sectors of interest, from government departments to private companies.
- Social Contribution – By engaging in honorary assignments, youth contribute to public welfare and organizational activities.
- Bridging the Gap – Reduces the transition period between education and gainful employment.
- Women Empowerment – Helps female graduates/postgraduates remain engaged and financially supported.
Challenges and Limitations
While the scheme is progressive, there are some challenges:
- Temporary Nature of Work – Honorary assignments are not permanent jobs, and labour laws don’t apply.
- Limited Financial Support – Allowances may not fully cover living costs in urban areas.
- Awareness Gaps – Many eligible candidates remain unaware of the scheme.
- Dependence on Government Vacancies – Availability of assignments depends on departmental requirements.
Impact of the Scheme
Since its launch in 2016, the Saksham Yuva Yojana has benefitted lakhs of unemployed youth across Haryana.
- Thousands of youth receive allowances every month, ensuring financial assistance during unemployment.
- Honorary assignments have given practical exposure, helping many candidates transition to permanent jobs in both government and private sectors.
- By linking financial assistance with work contribution and skill development, the scheme avoids creating dependency and encourages productivity.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official website.
- Create an account with Aadhaar and mobile authentication.
- Upload documents – educational certificates, income proof, domicile, etc.
- Select scheme type – unemployment allowance and/or honorarium.
- Submit application – receive acknowledgment.
- Track application status online.
- Receive allowance/honorarium directly in linked bank account after approval.
Future Prospects
The Haryana Government continues to amend and update the scheme based on youth needs. Some potential future directions include:
- Linking the scheme more closely with Skill Development Missions.
- Offering apprenticeship-like modules for better employability.
- Increasing the honorarium amount to match inflation.
- Expanding partnerships with private enterprises for wider work exposure.
