National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) was launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (MHUPA), Government of India in 23rd September, 2013 by replacing the existing Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY).The NULM will focus on organizing urban poor in their strong grassroots level institutions, creating opportunities for skill development leading to market-based employment and helping them to set up self-employment venture by ensuring easy access to credit. The Mission is aimed at providing shelter equipped with essential services to the urban homeless in a phased manner. In addition, the Mission would also address livelihood concerns of the urban street vendors.

The broader objective of the Employment through Skills Training & Placement (EST&P) Program is :

• 1. To provide an asset to the urban poor in the form of skills for sustainable livelihood
• 2. To increase the income of urban poor through structured, market-oriented certified courses that can provide salaried employment and / or self-employment opportunities which will eventually lead to better living standards and alleviation of urban poverty on a sustainable basis
• 3. Ensure inclusive growth with increased contribution of skilled urban poor to the National Economy.

Each successful candidate undertaking training under EST&P component of NULM should be awarded a certificate issued by a competent agency which has acceptability in the industry. Assessment of the skills gained should be done by an independent certifying agency. The training agency should not be entrusted with the assessment and certification of the trainees to ensure objective assessment. SSC NASSCOM is one the Certification Agency (CA) empanelled for EST&P program.