Only 5.4% of Indian start-ups know about a job incentive scheme they qualify for, despite 81% of employers being aware.

A TeamLease Services report released January 20, 2026, finds that while 81% of Indian employers are aware of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, awareness among start-ups and micro-businesses is just 5.4%, despite their eligibility for up to ₹3,000 monthly hiring incentives. Although 56% of employers plan to expand their workforce, only 60.4% of them know about the scheme. Motivation for participation centers on skill development (51.8%), job retention (39.7%), and workforce formalization, not direct financial incentives. Awareness varies by sector and role, with FMCG at 72.2% and education services at 33.3%, and compensation teams more informed than HR generalists. Experts urge targeted outreach to improve uptake and achieve broader economic impact.