In Andhra Pradesh State, according to 2001 Census, 35.0 percent of the population belongs to the category of youth. It is felt that there is a need to evolve a comprehensive policy encompassing socio-economic empowerment of the youth. Government of Andhra Pradesh has been striving hard to mitigate the problem of unemployment in a phased manner. Efforts have been made to empower youth with the up gradation of skills and access to investment in potential sectors to widen the employment opportunities. The major efforts of Rajiv Yuva Shakthi programme are to involve youth actively in community development and rural reconstruction works through personality development and reorientation of the existing education and training needs to meet the requirements of the modern economy. Rajiv Yuva Shakthi programme is a micro-credit Programme targeting unemployed youth, both individuals as well as groups. Students of vocational schools, colleges and engineering colleges will also be the beneficiaries under this programme Government facilitates active participation of the educated youth in rejuvenating rural areas. The Major Schemes under Rajiv Yuva Shakthi Programme are Rajiv Yuva Shakthi (Schemes for Individuals)5,000 educated unemployed youth can be considered under this programme for financial assistance and preference would be given to vocationally qualified individuals with minimum educational qualifications of 10th Pass or fail / Vocational etc. A maximum subsidy amount of Rs 20,000/- will be offered to each individual whose Project cost is Rs. 1, 00,000/-. Rajiv Yuva Shakthi (Schemes for Petty Business) he Uneducated unemployed youth (No minimum educational qualification) are eligible for getting financial assistance under this Programme. 20,000 groups will be financed every year. A maximum subsidy amount of Rs10,000/- will be provided to each beneficiary whose Project cost isRs. 1, 00,000/- The schemes like vegetable vendors; coffee machine, mango juice machine etc. can be encouraged under this programme. Rajiv Yuva Shakthi (Schemes for Group of beneficiaries) The educated unemployed youth consisting of 5 members have to form into groups for financial assistance to take up self- employment schemes. 5,000 groups (25,000 nos) will be financed every year. The educational Qualification of any one of the members is 10th pass. A maximum subsidy limit for Industry Sector Rs 60,000, for Service Sector Rs 40,000 and for Business Sector Rs 30,000 whose Project cost is Rs.3, 00,000/-.

Key Words: Yuva Shakhty Programme, DYWO, ANSET, SETKUR, SETVEN, STEP