●        Launch of National Skill Gap Study by NCAER

●        Inaugurated the first Rural Entrepreneurship Training Program on Biochar an initiative by Kanha Shantivanam.

Bengaluru, June 17, 2025: Speaking at the Kaushal Manthan Regional Workshop organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary called for a shift away from rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches in skilling. “Skill development cannot have prescriptive templates,” he said. “We must empower states to craft solutions that are rooted in their local economic contexts and aligned with the aspirations of their youth. Only then can we create meaningful impact and sustained transformation.”

Underscoring this vision for a more adaptive and responsive ecosystem, the Minister announced the establishment of two new Centres of Excellence—out of the five proposed nationwide—at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Hyderabad and Chennai. These centres will serve as national reference points for high-quality instructor training and specialised skilling aligned with emerging domains.

The Hon’ble Minister, Shri Jayant Chaudhary underscored the imperative for states to adopt a more strategic, outcome-oriented approach to skill development—one that is deeply aligned with the aspirations of India’s youth and the evolving demands of the economy.

Recognising that quality training is only as strong as the trainers who deliver it, the Minister called for dedicated investments in faculty development—through improved institutional capacity, competitive remuneration, and rigorous pedagogical standards. He urged states to adopt a decentralised and data-driven planning framework by working closely with district collectors to develop localised skilling plans, informed by granular skill gap assessments conducted in collaboration with expert bodies like the World Bank.

The Hon’ble Minister firmly directed that the CITS (Craft Instructor Training Scheme) certification be made mandatory for all newly recruited instructors, particularly in newly established ITIs across states. He emphasized that this requirement is critical to ensuring high-quality, standardized instruction across the country. To uphold instructional excellence and credibility, states were urged to revise their Recruitment Rules (RR) to align with NCVT norms, thereby institutionalizing CITS as a non-negotiable qualification. Uniform enforcement of this standard, the Minister noted, is essential to maintaining parity with national skilling benchmarks and delivering consistent training outcomes across the ecosystem.

Further, the Minister proposed the establishment of a robust grading and assessment framework for state-owned ITIs, to instil a culture of accountability, quality assurance, and performance-driven outcomes. He encouraged states to leverage platforms such as DISHA meetings to sensitise elected representatives about the role of skilling in economic development and social equity. Stronger industry linkages, aspirational positioning of vocational education, and language-based training for international mobility were identified as key enablers of a globally competitive workforce. Acknowledging the time-intensive nature of investing in youth, the Minister reaffirmed that such investments yield profound, long-term dividends—not just for the individual, but for the nation’s collective progress.

Understanding the evolving landscape of high-growth sectors is essential for designing responsive skilling strategies. In this context, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), under its SANKALP scheme, commissioned the National Skill Gap Study—a comprehensive analysis conducted by the National Council for Applied Economic Research (NCAER). The objective of the study was to develop a dynamic framework for skill demand assessment and develop a methodology for conducting demand assessment at the sectoral and state level. A detailed analysis of seven high growth sectors was also undertaken as a part of the study. The report was officially launched at the Kaushal Manthan Regional Workshop by the Hon’ble Ministers present.

Over 27.8 lakh candidates have been trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) across the region since 2015, Under the Jan Shikshan Sansthan scheme, more than 4.85 lakh beneficiaries—over 85% women—have been trained. More than 10 lakh apprentices have been engaged since FY 2018-19 under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), with a DBT disbursement of ₹215 crore in the region.

During his visit to the Biochar Center of Excellence at Kanha Shanti Vanam, the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship inaugurated the first Rural Entrepreneurship Training Program on Biochar. This pioneering initiative aims to equip rural youth with skills across the entire biochar value chain — from biomass conversion and soil applications to farmer outreach and product positioning. Selected candidates will be commissioned as rural entrepreneurs, with biochar units set up in their villages. Each unit is expected to generate employment for 4–8 people for up to six months annually and become self-sustaining by the second year through biochar sales and carbon credit monetization. The Minister emphasized that targeted capital support through government grants can further accelerate the scale-up of these green enterprises, driving rural livelihoods and regenerative agriculture.

The Kaushal Manthan regional workshop in Hyderabad focused on deepening Centre-State collaboration for outcome-based skilling, aligning local skill development with national priorities, and driving forward the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The agenda included discussions on the implementation of the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, the operationalization of Centres of Excellence, leveraging the Skill India Digital Hub, enhancing apprenticeship adoption, and integrating skilling with education and entrepreneurship. The workshop was attended by 120+ attendees including Hon’ble Ministers from southern states and UTs, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of Skill Development, Directors of Employment and Training, Regional Directors and Deputy Directors General from RDSDEs, and senior officials from MSDE including the Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, and other senior advisors and technical experts from the ecosystem. Their presence reflected the strong commitment across all levels of government to make skill development more impactful, inclusive, and regionally responsive.

Voices from Leaders from the South:

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Shri D.K. Joshi, Hon’ble Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Islands: “The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are poised to become a gateway to India’s maritime future. With projects like the International Container Transshipment Terminal at Great Nicobar and upcoming Greenfield airports, we are aligning infrastructure with sustainable development. These initiatives not only unlock tourism and shipping potential, but also create opportunities for skill development in logistics, hospitality, and marine entrepreneurship.”

Karnataka

Dr. Sharanprakash R. Patil, Hon’ble Minister of Medical Education and Skill Development, Govt. of Karnataka : “Karnataka has always been at the forefront of skilling, blending academic rigor with practical industry needs. Through our 270 ITIs and international placement programs in fields like nursing and foreign languages, we are preparing our youth not just for India, but for the world. Our Skill Councils are working hand-in-hand with industry to shape future-ready professionals.”

Kerala

Shri V. Sivankutty, Hon’ble Minister of General Education and Labour & Skills, Govt. of Kerala: “Kerala’s approach to skilling is rooted in quality and industry relevance. Through the Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence and support from national schemes like PMKVY and SANKALP, we’ve focused on building workforce capacity for sectors like ports and logistics. We seek continued support to further scale these efforts and ensure every trained youth finds meaningful employment.”

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Bengaluru, April 25, 2025: In a solemn moment of unity and remembrance, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, led officials, staff, and stakeholders in observing a two-minute silence in memory of the victims of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. The gathering, assembled for “Kaushal Manthan 2025” at Kaushal Bhawan, stood in heartfelt solidarity with the bereaved families and the people of Jammu & Kashmir. Officials stood in this moment of silence which is was not just about mourning the loss— but about reaffirming their commitment to unity, and resilience.

Following the tribute, “Kaushal Manthan 2025” commenced under the theme “Collective Vision for a Skilled Bharat”, bringing together key stakeholders from across ministries, industry bodies, academia, and Sector Skill Councils to discuss a cohesive and future-ready skilling and entrepreneurship strategy for India.

Setting the context, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, highlighted the demographic dividend as India’s strategic advantage. “India is home to one of the largest youth populations globally. Tapping this potential means aligning skilling with market demand, embedding global standards in training, and ensuring that every certificate opens the door to opportunity,” he said. He further emphasized MSDE’s push towards lifelong learning, convergence among institutions, and entrepreneurship as a viable and aspirational career path.

The session on Long-Term Skilling spotlighted transformative opportunities to enhance participation and relevance in vocational education. Participants underlined the potential to increase female enrolment through targeted awareness campaigns and by making skill training more aspirational and accessible. Emphasis was placed on designing new-age courses in collaboration with industry and line ministries, introducing flexible curricula tailored to local needs, and building a robust national pool of skilled trainers. These initiatives aim to empower learners with future-ready capabilities and ensure inclusive growth.

In the Short-Term Skilling session, the focus shifted to aligning skilling initiatives more closely with evolving market needs. Deliberations led to innovative suggestions such as demand aggregation mechanisms, industry-aligned course durations, and embedding vocational training within both school and higher education systems. The importance of a high-quality trainer and assessor ecosystem was also emphasized, positioning them as the backbone of effective and scalable skill delivery.

The Entrepreneurship session showcased the immense potential of local enterprise development to drive grassroots economic transformation. Participants advocated for the creation of entrepreneurial hubs at the district level—serving as integrated one-stop centers for mentorship, finance, capacity building, and shared infrastructure. There was also a strong push to embed financial literacy and entrepreneurial education across school and college curricula, fostering an early and aspirational mindset toward enterprise and innovation.

The session on National Skill Policy and NSQF brought forth ambitious ideas to elevate the quality, mobility, and global relevance of India’s skilling architecture. Key proposals included the standardization of training outcomes to meet international benchmarks and developing tools for proficiency mapping. The group envisioned a seamless integration between education and skilling pathways—through multiple entry and exit options and early vocational exposure in schools. Emphasis was also placed on technology inclusion and increased support for persons with disabilities (PwDs), making the ecosystem more equitable and future-ready.

Adding a powerful technological lens, the workshop featured a compelling presentation by Microsoft on the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in vocational education. The presentation underscored how AI can revolutionize curriculum design, skill assessment, certification, and career guidance. By integrating AI tools within MSDE’s skilling framework, the Ministry is advancing both “skilling for AI” and “skilling with AI,” reinforcing its vision of inclusive, tech-powered learning across India.

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The workshop was chaired and inaugurated by Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE and focused on the roles of Awarding Bodies in strengthening the quality of training under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0) across the training life cycle, reviewing the performance of Awarding Bodies, standardizing the assessment alignment process, debriefing participants on the latest Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued regarding the same, addressing key challenges faced by Awarding Bodies with respect to aligning assessments, strengthening the grievance redressal mechanism via the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal, promoting industry-led training, and increasing industry collaboration to make skill development training more aspirational for candidates.

Emphasizing the critical role of Awarding Bodies in ensuring high-quality skill certification and the seamless execution of PMKVY, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE, said, “India’s skilling ecosystem has evolved significantly over the last few years and gained global recognition. With a strong demographic dividend, we must now take a targeted approach to skill development, ensuring alignment with industry needs. The Prime Minister’s equal emphasis on education and skills has set a clear direction, and phenomenal work has been done by the government, especially the MSDE, in this regard.”

“There is a growing consensus that skill development is the key driver in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation. To achieve this, we must improve training infrastructure, enhance trainer and content quality, and continuously assess and refine how skills are imparted. SSCs and Awarding Bodies must work to integrate skills into mainstream education, making degrees like B.A., B.Com., and B.Sc. more employment-oriented,” he added.

The ministry provided an overview of the PMKVY scheme, highlighting achievements and upcoming initiatives. More than 1.6 crore candidates have been trained under the PMKVY since its launch in 2015. Currently, the PMKVY 4.0 is being implemented, building up on the success of the last three phases. This version focuses on making the skilling ecosystem more flexible, inclusive, and technology-driven to improve employability among youth. More than six thousand trainers will be providing training to candidates for 170 futuristic job roles under PMKVY 4.0.

A presentation on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) was also given which demonstrated the platform’s role in streamlining skill certification and training processes. Presentations from Awarding Bodies, including NIELIT and CIPET, showcased their contributions to skill development. Additionally, an analysis of PMKVY’s performance was shared, identifying key areas for improvement.

Most notably, an interactive open forum allowed stakeholders to share concerns and suggest solutions, fostering constructive dialogue. The key inputs shared by various stakeholders during the workshop included incorporation of an escalation mechanism to address grievance-related issues, facilitating the inclusion of job roles/courses of other Awarding Bodies under PMKVY 4.0, expanding the assessor pool of SSCs for timely assessment, taking action against non-responding Training Partners with respect to aligning assessments, aligning assessors during the initiation of training, customizing course duration while keeping in view the target group, using innovative approaches like gamification to make training programs more interactive, registering Awarding Bodies for the Academic Bank of Credit, conducting regular Skill Gap Studies to align training with industry demand, and institutionalizing industry consultation as a standardized process for Awarding Bodies.

Smt. Sonal Mishra, Joint Secretary, MSDE, Dr. Vinita Aggrawal, Executive Member, NCVET, Dr. Neena Pahuja, Executive Member, NCVET, and Shri Rishikesh Patankar, Vice President, Government Programs, Industry & Academia Collaboration, NSDC were present during the inaugural session. Additionally, the event witnessed more than 150 participants.

The day-long event concluded with a brainstorming session focused on setting priorities and ensuring better convergence of training efforts. The workshop served as a crucial platform for dialogue and collaboration, reinforcing the importance of aligning skill development efforts with industry needs.

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