New Delhi, Jan 20 (NationPress) Approximately 81 percent of employers in India reported their awareness of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY), with large businesses comprising 83 percent of this recognition, according to a report released on Tuesday.

The staffing firm TeamLease Services highlighted in the report that merely 5.4 percent of start-ups and micro enterprises, which could gain significantly from hiring incentives of up to Rs 3,000 per employee monthly, were aware of the initiative.

Under PM-VBRY, the government extends a direct incentive of up to Rs 15,000, disbursed in two phases, to employees entering the formal workforce and newly registered with EPFO.

The scheme also provides an incentive of up to Rs 3,000 per month for every new additional employee hired and sustained for a minimum of six months.

Despite 56 percent of surveyed employers expressing plans to grow their workforce in the latter half of FY26, only 60.4 percent of these employers were aware of the scheme.

Greater awareness was observed in sectors like FMCG at 72.2 percent and EV infrastructure at 64.3 percent, while lower recognition was found in service-oriented sectors such as educational services at 33.3 percent, emphasizing the need for targeted outreach.

“Approximately 19 percent of employers remain completely unaware, resulting in uneven engagement across sectors. Bridging these gaps can unlock significant value, allowing organizations to enhance capabilities, boost retention, and cultivate a resilient, future-ready workforce that translates policy intentions into sustainable economic and social outcomes,” stated Balasubramanian A, Senior Vice President, TeamLease Services.

The survey, which included over 1,200 employers across 23 industries, revealed that awareness of the scheme alone did not equate to readiness or participation, as many employers familiar with the initiative showed uneven alignment with hiring plans.

Among those aware, participation was driven more by long-term workforce goals than immediate financial incentives, as noted in the report.

Support for skill development was the leading factor for enrolling in the scheme, mentioned by 51.8 percent of employers, significantly ahead of direct hiring incentives at 18.6 percent.

“This long-term vision also pertains to workforce stability, with 39.7 percent of employers emphasizing job retention incentives to ensure consistent performance,” the report observed.

About 29.9 percent of respondents prioritized workforce normalization, particularly organizations aiming for stronger compliance, structured employment practices, and better access to formal credit channels, it added.

Compensation and benefits teams exhibited the highest awareness at 71.7 percent, followed by talent acquisition professionals at 68.4 percent, while HR generalists showed lower awareness at 44.4 percent.