The central government has approved a new scheme that will help provide jobs to millions of young people. This scheme is called the Employment Linked Incentive, or ELI Scheme.

With the launch of this scheme, the youth will no longer need to go from place to place looking for jobs. Under this scheme, the government will give ₹15,000 or an amount equal to one month’s salary as a subsidy. Not only this, the government will also give incentives to companies that provide jobs under this scheme, and this benefit will continue for two years.

Let us now understand how young people will get jobs under the ELI Scheme and who is eligible to apply.

What is the ELI Scheme?

The ELI Scheme (Employment Linked Incentive Scheme) is an important program launched by the Modi government. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced this scheme in the Budget 2024-25.

To support the scheme, the cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a budget of ₹99,446 crore on 1 July 2025.

The main goal of the ELI Scheme is to increase job opportunities in the private sector. This scheme encourages private companies to hire more people. In return, the government will give them financial support or subsidies. The scheme is a major step toward improving the country’s economy and helping unemployed youth find jobs.

How Many Jobs Will Be Created?

  1. The ELI Scheme has two parts — one for employees (especially first-time workers), and one for employers (companies providing jobs).
  2. This scheme will be active for jobs created between 1 August 2025 and 31 July 2027.
  3. The government expects that over 3.5 crore jobs will be created in these two years.
  4. In the first year, about 1.92 crore people will get jobs.
  5. In the second year, around 2.60 crore more jobs will be added across various sectors.

₹15,000 Incentive for First-Time Employees

Under this scheme, people who get a job for the first time will receive an incentive of ₹15,000 from the government.

This amount will be paid in two parts:

  • The first ₹7,500 will be given after 6 months of joining the job.
  • The second ₹7,500 will be given after completing 12 months of service.

This amount is in addition to the employee’s salary, but the employee must be registered with EPFO (Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation).

Who Will Get ₹15,000?

Not everyone will get the ₹15,000 incentive. Only those employees who earn up to ₹1 lakh per month will get this amount.

  • If the salary is more than ₹1 lakh, the employee will not be eligible.
  • The ₹15,000 incentive will be sent directly to the employee’s bank account.

Benefits for Companies

  1. The ELI Scheme will also give benefits to companies that create more jobs.
  2. For every new employee who stays for at least 6 months, the government will give the company up to ₹3,000 per month for two years.
  3. In the manufacturing sector, this benefit may continue for the third and fourth years as well.
  4. Small companies with less than 50 workers must hire at least 2 new employees continuously for 6 months to qualify.
  5. Companies with 50 or more employees must hire at least 5 new employees. All companies must be registered with EPFO to get these benefits.

Who Can Apply?

There is no separate application process for this scheme. Anyone who gets a new job and is registered with EPFO can benefit. Once the employee is registered in the EPFO system, the government will automatically receive the data. Based on this, the government will send benefits to the employee or the company.

At present, there are no special eligibility rules set for this scheme. So, any unemployed person who joins a job can get the benefits under the ELI Scheme. This scheme is especially helpful for youth starting their careers and for companies helping to grow employment in the country.