PM-VBRY awareness high among large enterprises; low among startups and microbusinesses: TeamLease survey

The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), a government scheme focusing on generating employment, enhancing employability and promoting formalisation of the workforce, has seen very little awareness among startups and microbusinesses, according to a new report from TeamLease Services,

The survey of over 1,200 employers across 23 industries, aimed at providing a detailed view of PM-VBRY awareness, found that startups and microbusinesses, which stand to benefit most from hiring incentives of up to Rs 3,000 per employee per month, show only 5.4% awareness.

The report: Employer Perspectives on the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana highlights this paradox – awareness of the scheme is largely concentrated among large organisations at 83%.


While 81% of employers report some awareness of the scheme, the survey highlights that this 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%. There is 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, 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.”