Through this MoU, MSDE will collaborate with the World Economic Forum to launch and implement a Skills Accelerator in India, a multistakeholder platform aimed at identifying, scaling, and accelerating innovative solutions and public–private partnerships to address critical skills gaps in the workforce. The Accelerator will support efforts to strengthen India’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem by ensuring closer alignment between skilling initiatives and the evolving demands of industry and the global economy.

Commenting on the milestone achieved, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of Education, Government of India said, “What began as a strategic vision to align India’s skilling ecosystem with the future of work has now taken a structured and global form. The formalization of the India Skills Accelerator, in partnership with the World Economic Forum, marks a key milestone in building a future-ready, globally competitive workforce. By bringing government, industry, and education together, the initiative strengthens coordinated action to address current and emerging skill gaps, enable outcome-based skill financing, and promote lifelong learning and alignment with global labour-market demand. Aligned with NEP 2020 and Vision India@2047, it reinforces skilling as a central pillar of inclusive growth and national transformation.”

Commenting on the announcement Shri Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education said, “I warmly welcome the landmark MoU between the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and the World Economic Forum to launch the Skills Accelerator in India. This collaboration strongly complements the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by integrating education with skilling, fostering lifelong learning, and aligning curricula with future industry needs.

This initiative will significantly benefit India by bridging critical skill gaps, enhancing the global employability of our youth, and ensuring that India’s talent pool is aligned with emerging domains such as artificial intelligence, green energy, robotics, and advanced manufacturing. By promoting industry-linked training, mutual recognition of qualifications, and innovative financing for skilling, the partnership will strengthen our TVET ecosystem, support inclusive growth, and position India as a global hub for skilled manpower and innovation in the journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047.”

Sanjiv Bajaj, Co-Chair for India Skills Accelerator, and Chairman & Managing Director, Bajaj Finserv Ltd., said, “The India Skills Accelerator initiative is a strategic step towards strengthening India’s long-term competitiveness. Aligning global insights on the future of work with India’s talent pool will help build scalable, industry-aligned skilling architecture that supports productivity, innovation and inclusive growth. With over 500 million people under the age of 25, skilling India’s youth is central to converting our demographic advantage into economic leadership. At Bajaj Finserv, skilling is a core pillar of our social commitment under the Group’s Rs. 5,000 crore Bajaj Beyond CSR programme. Sustained investment in human capital will be critical to realising the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.”

“India’s workforce advantage lies in aligning scale with skills. The India Skills Accelerator strengthens the link between policy and practice—mobilising industry, educators, and innovators to translate emerging workforce needs into deployable skills and sustainable jobs. In partnership with the World Economic Forum, it positions India as a trusted, future-ready talent contributor to the global economy,” said Ms. Shobana Kamineni, Co-Chair for India Skills Accelerator Executive Chairperson Apollo Health Co & Promoter Director Apollo Hospitals.

The Skills Accelerator will focus on strategically addressing skills gaps by promoting lifelong learning, upskilling, and reskilling, in line with India’s Vision @2047 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The initiative will encourage flexible curriculum, integration of vocational and higher education pathways, mutual recognition of qualifications, and capacity building across institutions. MSDE will work closely with higher education institutions, vocational training institutions, and regulatory bodies such as AICTE and UGC to support awareness, implementation, and scale the Accelerator.

As part of the collaboration, the Accelerator will also support innovative financing mechanisms for skilling, enable strategic coordination among key stakeholders, and identify emerging global demand and supply trends across trades and job roles to enhance international employability. Special emphasis will be placed on collaboration in emerging Future of Work domains, including artificial intelligence, robotics, green energy, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing, alongside innovation-led activities such as hackathons and the rollout of a structured Action Plan.

The implementation of the MoU will be overseen through a governance framework involving Co-Chairs from government and the private sector, in collaboration with the World Economic Forum. MSDE will play a central role in setting the strategic direction of the Skills Accelerator, coordinating stakeholder engagement, and championing the initiative across industry, government, and civil society, while also contributing to monitoring and impact assessment mechanisms.

The MoU also reflects strong inter-ministerial coordination, with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Ministry of Education working together to advance India’s skilling and vocational education agenda through global partnerships.

This collaboration marks a new chapter in India and WEF relations, building on the momentum generated during India’s participation at the 55th WEF Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, in January 2025, where skill development was highlighted as a strategic pillar for inclusive growth and global collaboration.

Through this partnership with the World Economic Forum, MSDE aims to accelerate reforms, deepen global linkages, and position India as a leading hub for skills, talent, and innovation, contributing to a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforce for the decades ahead.

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Speaking on the initiative, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said, “Project NAVYA reflects our commitment to moving beyond conventional skilling towards holistic empowerment of young girls. By integrating life skills, financial literacy, workplace safety and workplace productivity into the learning journey, we are equipping adolescent girls with the confidence and capabilities required to succeed. This initiative strengthens the objective of creating dignified employment opportunities for women and their meaningful participation in the economy.”

As part of this partnership, a common module for holistic development has been introduced for Adolescent Girls (AGs) enrolled under Project NAVYA. The modules, developed by the Wadhwani Foundation, are being provided free of cost to all NAVYA beneficiaries and are designed to support personal growth, work readiness, self-employment potential and meaningful community participation.

The holistic curriculum addresses key dimensions such as workplace safety, financial literacy, necessary life and employability skills, recognizing these as essential enablers for long-term employability and resilience. The 10-hour online programme includes structured learning on interpersonal skills, impactful writing skills, financial literacy, workplace safety and the use of productivity tools required in modern work environments.

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The programme is organised under the sponsorship of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) initiative, in collaboration with UNESCO. The programme has brought together 28 participants from South Sudan, including senior officials from the Ministries of General Education and Instruction, Labour, Youth and Sports, and Higher Education, Science and Technology, along with representatives from the private sector. High-level representatives are expected to join later this week including 3 ministers from the republic of South Sudan.

The programme aims to strengthen South Sudan’s institutional capacities in the areas of TVET governance, public–private partnership frameworks, entrepreneurship development, and industry-integrated skilling models. It also seeks to provide the delegation with deep insights into India’s whole-of-government skilling architecture, including MSDE’s flagship schemes, standards-setting processes, quality assurance mechanisms, and digital skilling innovations.

As part of the programme, the South Sudan delegation today visited Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi, today and interacted with Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.

Welcoming the delegation, the Secretary highlighted India’s comprehensive skilling architecture anchored by MSDE, which brings together institutions such as DGT, NCVET, NSDC, Sector Skill Councils, NIESBUD, IIE, JSSs and RDSDEs through a unified and coordinated approach. She emphasised the centrality of public–private partnerships, India’s efforts to integrate entrepreneurship into TVET outcomes, and the growing scope for bilateral cooperation in areas such as agriculture-based livelihoods, construction skills, women-centric skilling, digital skilling, and community-based training models.

The Secretary underlined that India attaches great value to its developmental partnership with South Sudan and expressed confidence that this programme will contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of South Sudan’s national skilling ecosystem.

During the visit, the delegates participated in a series of thematic sessions led by MSDE’s key institutions. The sessions covered Overview of MSDE’s Schemes and Initiatives, Governance & Quality Assurance Frameworks for Industry-Aligned Skilling, Long-term Vocational Training in India, and Digital Skilling & Emerging Technology Initiatives.

These sessions provided the delegation with a comprehensive understanding of India’s standards-driven, market-responsive, and digitally enabled skilling ecosystem.

Ms. Archana Mayaram, Economic Adviser, MSDE; Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, MSDE; Dr. Poonam Sinha, Director General, NIESBUD; Shri Pritam Dutta, Director, MSDE; Dr. Shivani Dey, Director, NIESBUD; Col. Vikram Singh Bhati, Director, NCVET; Shri Himanshu Gunawat, Deputy Secretary, MSDE, and Mr. Jian Xi Teng from UNESCO were present on the occasion.

Over the 12-day duration, the participants will be exposed to India’s approaches to qualification standard-setting, industry-led curriculum design, entrepreneurship promotion, digital learning systems, RPL frameworks, women-centric skilling initiatives, and sector-based PPP models. Field visits, institutional interactions, and experience-sharing sessions with ministries, Sector Skill Councils, premier training institutions, and industry bodies will form an integral part of the programme.

The initiative reinforces India’s commitment to capacity building, knowledge exchange, and fostering long-term cooperation with partner nations under the ITEC framework.

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Bengaluru, November 24, 2025: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) today organised the Send-Off Ceremony for India’s contingent participating in the WorldSkills Asia Competition (WSAC) 2025, scheduled from 27–29 November 2025 in Chinese Taipei. This marks the first time India is participating in the WorldSkills Asia platform, making the event a significant milestone for the country’s global skills journey. The ceremony was graced by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (I/C) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, as Chief Guest and Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. The event also witnessed the presence of Gyan Bhushan, Senior Economic Advisor, MSDE and Sudesh Berry, renowned actor, who motivated the contingent with their encouraging words.

This year, the prestigious continental competition will see participation from 500+ competitors across 38 skill categories, representing nearly 40 Asian member and guest countries. The Indian contingent, led by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the implementation and knowledge partner for WorldSkills India, comprises 23 competitors and 21 experts and will represent the nation in 21 skill categories, competing on the international stage against Asia’s most skilled young professionals and showcasing India’s growing strength in global skills excellence.

Speaking at the ceremony, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said,” The young competitors participating in WorldSkills Asia embody India’s rising strength as a global skills leader. We have full faith that months of rigorous training, the mentorship of experts, and the unwavering support of our Sector Skill Councils, the Ministry, and industry partners who have prepared these participants for this moment. The Government is committed to empowering talent that can compete, collaborate, and contribute to the vision of becoming Skill Capital of the World.”

These candidates showcase excellence across a diverse range of new-age and traditional skills, including Digital & IT Technologies, Mobile Robotics, Mechatronics, CNC Milling, Web Development, Automotive Repair, Fashion Technology, Graphic Design, Beauty Therapy, and other high-demand skills defining the future of work.

The competitors representing India at WorldSkills Asia 2025 were selected through a rigorous, multi-tier national process anchored by IndiaSkills Competition 2024, the country’s largest skill championship organised by NSDC. Winners of the IndiaSkills Competition earn the opportunity to represent the country at prestigious WorldSkills chapters across the globe, showcasing India’s talent on multiple international platforms.

Motivating the contingent, Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, stated that “India’s first-ever participation in WorldSkills Asia marks a significant milestone in the country’s skilling journey. She added that MSDE’s sustained efforts in strengthening training and assessment ecosystems have enabled young competitors to meet global benchmarks. She urged the team to perform to the best of their abilities, uphold national standards of excellence, and bring laurels to the country.”

These 23 candidates had emerged as national medal holders after national-level evaluations involving industry experts and globally benchmarked assessments. Over the past five months, the competitors have undergone intensive, industry-guided training conducted in partnership with some of India’s leading institutions, including JK Cement, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, LTA Academy of Beauty, Mahindra University, Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration, and Iraj Evolution Design Company Limited. These training partners provided advanced labs, simulators, expert coaches, and real-world problem-solving environments to sharpen technical precision, discipline, and global competitiveness, ensuring that Team India is fully prepared to perform at the highest international standards.

To ensure peak readiness, WorldSkills India (under NSDC) conducted an intensive four-day Team Building and Readiness Program (21–24 November) featuring psychometric assessments, grooming and communication sessions, neurotherapy and mindfulness practices, nutrition counselling, art and music therapy, and travel readiness workshops. These interventions equipped candidates with technical confidence and mental resilience, fostering collaboration, focus, and national pride.

India’s participation in WSAC 2025 highlights the nation’s commitment to global standards, international benchmarking, and world-class technical education under the Skill India Mission, with NSDC playing a pivotal role in implementation, training design, expert engagement, and competitor development.

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Karma Shiksha offers a merit-based national selection process, multi-sector exposure, and pathways for higher education, including lateral entry into degree programs. Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani described the program as a transformative step to provide youth with both education and employable skills, aligning with the vision of creating a “Viksit Bharat.” The initiative reinforces ASE’s commitment to skill development, employability, and education excellence, creating a scalable model of job-integrated learning to strengthen India’s vocational training ecosystem.

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The program trained 28 nominated officers from MSDE’s field institutions—including DGT, RDSDEs, NSTIs, NIMI, CSTARI, and NCVET—as Master Trainers. These officers were trained by Shri Pritam Dutta, Director, MSDE, and Shri T. Ragulan, Director, CSTARI, both of whom were empanelled as Lead Trainers by CBC in May 2025.

Over three intensive days, the training equipped officers with tools to foster a spirit of Seva-Bhav (spirit of service), promote purpose-driven public service, and deepen inter-institutional collaboration. Designed around four structured modules, the training focused on realigning mindsets, encouraging inter-departmental collaboration, and strengthening the sense of accountability among officials. Through case discussions, peer-sharing, and reflective dialogue, participants explored how they could contribute more meaningfully to public service delivery.

These 28 officers will now act as catalysts for change by conducting one-day Seva-Bhav workshops in their respective field institutions, ensuring the message of citizen-first service percolates to every official across the MSDE ecosystem.

Reflecting on the session, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, stated, “The Rashtriya Karmayogi Seva-Bhav training is a vital step towards building a more responsive, empathetic, and citizen-first administration. It goes beyond technical capacity to nurture purpose-driven governance. By instilling the spirit of service among officials, we are not only improving public service delivery but also shaping a future-ready, values-based workforce aligned with our national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.”

During the closing session, Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), and Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, MSDE, addressed the participants and highlighted the strategic importance of this training in shaping an empathetic, responsive and mission-oriented workforce. They also interacted with the participants, appreciating their feedback and commitment to implementing the Seva-Bhav ethos at grassroots levels.

Part of the larger Mission Karmayogi framework, this training aims to foster a deep sense of Seva-Bhav (spirit of service) among central government officials by shifting focus from routine tasks to purpose-driven public service.

With the successful completion of this phase, MSDE continues to lead the transformation of governance culture through sustained investments in human capital development—paving the way for an empowered and service-oriented bureaucracy.

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The program trained 28 nominated officers from MSDE’s field institutions—including DGT, RDSDEs, NSTIs, NIMI, CSTARI, and NCVET—as Master Trainers. These officers were trained by Shri Pritam Dutta, Director, MSDE, and Shri T. Ragulan, Director, CSTARI, both of whom were empanelled as Lead Trainers by CBC in May 2025.

Over three intensive days, the training equipped officers with tools to foster a spirit of Seva-Bhav (spirit of service), promote purpose-driven public service, and deepen inter-institutional collaboration. Designed around four structured modules, the training focused on realigning mindsets, encouraging inter-departmental collaboration, and strengthening the sense of accountability among officials. Through case discussions, peer-sharing, and reflective dialogue, participants explored how they could contribute more meaningfully to public service delivery.

These 28 officers will now act as catalysts for change by conducting one-day Seva-Bhav workshops in their respective field institutions, ensuring the message of citizen-first service percolates to every official across the MSDE ecosystem.

Reflecting on the session, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, stated, “The Rashtriya Karmayogi Seva-Bhav training is a vital step towards building a more responsive, empathetic, and citizen-first administration. It goes beyond technical capacity to nurture purpose-driven governance. By instilling the spirit of service among officials, we are not only improving public service delivery but also shaping a future-ready, values-based workforce aligned with our national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.”

During the closing session, Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), and Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, MSDE, addressed the participants and highlighted the strategic importance of this training in shaping an empathetic, responsive and mission-oriented workforce. They also interacted with the participants, appreciating their feedback and commitment to implementing the Seva-Bhav ethos at grassroots levels.

Part of the larger Mission Karmayogi framework, this training aims to foster a deep sense of Seva-Bhav (spirit of service) among central government officials by shifting focus from routine tasks to purpose-driven public service.

With the successful completion of this phase, MSDE continues to lead the transformation of governance culture through sustained investments in human capital development—paving the way for an empowered and service-oriented bureaucracy.

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Opening the session, Ms. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE, emphasized the importance of aligning skilling initiatives with demographic trends, technological shifts, and emerging industry needs. She outlined five key focus areas for developing human capital for Viksit Bharat: Skilling for all, Filling the skill-employment gap, Demand-based skilling aligned with industry requirements, Strengthening service delivery systems, and Re-skilling and up-skilling of the existing workforce.

Addressing the workshop, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, said, “Skill training is the cornerstone of our vision for Viksit Bharat @2047. We must ensure that every youth and working professional is equipped with the right skills to contribute meaningfully to both organizational growth and the nation’s development. Our focus must be on three key pillars—agriculture skilling, ITI upgradation, and future skills. Integration of agri-skilling into mainstream education will empower rural youth and make agriculture a viable, future-ready career path. The ITI upgradation will help us transform these institutions into dynamic skilling hubs aligned with evolving industry needs. Emphasis on future skills will enable our workforce to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global landscape. Above all, we must focus on making skilling aspirational—something that excites, empowers, and elevates the aspirations of our youth.”

Shri Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director General, DARE, noted the central role of agriculture in India’s economy and emphasized the need to position skilling in agriculture and allied sectors as a national priority. He proposed transforming Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) into skill and incubation hubs that not only train farmers but also support rural youth through entrepreneurship handholding.

A detailed presentation on the recently approved ₹60,000 crore ITI Upgradation Scheme was delivered by the Directorate General of Training (DGT), outlining the Ministry’s roadmap to transform ITIs into modern, industry-aligned skilling hubs. The presentation showcased key components of the scheme and the strategic direction for its implementation across states. During the open discussion that followed, state officials shared progress made on the ground—including industry tie-ups, identification of regional skill clusters, and efforts to modernize infrastructure. At the same time, they also highlighted critical challenges, such as difficulty in onboarding private partners in smaller states, faculty shortages, and the need for increased industry engagement to ensure the sustainability and relevance of upgraded ITIs.

The workshop further delved deeper into five thematic sessions- Skilling for All, Filling the Skill–Employment Gap, Demand-Based Skilling with Industry Alignment, Strengthening Service Delivery, and Reskilling and Upskilling, with active participation from states including Karnataka, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, and representatives from various companies.

The states presented their best practices and innovative skilling models at the workshop, showcasing a diverse range of approaches to developing a future-ready workforce. Karnataka and Odisha shared inclusive skilling initiatives under the theme “Skilling for All”, while Assam contributed its perspectives on bridging the skill–employment gap. Uttar Pradesh and Tripura highlighted efforts towards demand-based skilling with a strong focus on industry alignment, and West Bengal elaborated on strategies to strengthen service delivery mechanisms at the grassroots level. These presentations reflected the regional diversity and shared commitment across states toward the national skilling agenda.

As part of the preparations for the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries under the theme “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat”, all States and Union Territories have been requested to seek inputs in the form of Feedback Notes from officers at all levels including field level functionaries. Feedback notes are to be uploaded on the CS Conference portal by 20 August 2025, and a consolidated state-specific note by 31 August 2025.

During the sessions, industry partners also played a vital role in the discussions, bringing to the table real-world insights and collaborative models. Representatives from Adobe, Sodexo, Avaada Group, Lemon Tree Hotels, UPS, Volvo-Eicher, Escorts, Tata Strive, and others contributed across thematic sessions covering topics such as reskilling, upskilling, and service delivery. Additionally, PSUs like Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum shared their skilling and R&D initiatives. These interactions between government, academia, and industry emphasized the need for stronger convergence to equip India’s workforce for emerging job roles and evolving market demands.

Each session was followed by an open discussion that encouraged multi-stakeholder collaboration and identified innovative approaches to strengthen service delivery and align skill training with real-time employment demands.

The workshop was graced by Mr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi, Former Chairperson, NCVET, Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, DG (Training), DGT, MSDE, Dr. Vinita Aggarwal, Executive Member, NCVET, Himanshu Gunawat, Deputy Secretary, MSDE, Padma Shri awardee Shri Sultan Singh, Dr. More Ramulu, Advisor, AICTE, representatives from various state skilling departments or ministries, IARI, New Delhi, DoNER, among others.

The workshop concluded with a consensus on the need for stronger convergence across stakeholders, investment in future-ready infrastructure, and leveraging international partnerships to build a resilient and inclusive skilling ecosystem. The outcomes and insights from the workshop will feed into the deliberations at the Chief Secretaries’ Conference and guide future skilling policy directions.

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The objective of this MoU is to strengthen livelihood opportunities in rural areas by combining the technical expertise and institutional framework of MSDE with the extensive grassroots reach and implementation capabilities of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

The aim is to enhance the skills, market access, and entrepreneurial capabilities of women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) so that they can become a part of the global workforce. A key focus of this collaboration is to raise awareness about the skill development and entrepreneurship programs of both ministries and to align these initiatives with local market needs and emerging opportunities.

Through this partnership, priority will be given to demand-driven skill training and practical entrepreneurship development to empower SHG women to become “Lakhpati Didis”. Efforts will be made to ensure that training modules and curricula are contextualized to local realities and aligned with emerging job markets and future skill requirements. Using the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), SHG women and trainers will receive formal certification for their skills. Additionally, comprehensive support will be provided through services such as financial literacy, market linkages, legal compliance, business development, and mentoring.

This partnership will not only help fulfill the economic aspirations of rural communities but will also play a pivotal role in promoting entrepreneurship and empowering rural families through outcome-based training programs. It reflects the shared commitment of both ministries to provide advanced skill training, entrepreneurship development, and sustainable employment opportunities to members of SHGs in rural India.

The signing of the MoU was graced by the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, and the Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, was also present on the occasion.

This MoU is a concrete step towards realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, which prioritizes economic diversification and sustainable development in rural areas. Together, the two ministries will work to economically empower women from SHGs, elevate them into higher income brackets through initiatives like the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ campaign, and provide training aligned with the needs of local markets.

This partnership aims to equip SHG women with digital and financial literacy, connect them to markets, enhance their legal awareness, and build capacity in business development. It will also ensure formal recognition of their skills through certification via SIDH. Training will be delivered at the grassroots level by leveraging networks of institutions such as ITIs, Jan Shikshan Sansthans, RSETIs, and NIESBUD. In addition, the partnership will jointly facilitate awareness campaigns, village-level camps, and entrepreneurship fairs to further strengthen outreach and impact.

Under this MoU, the implementation at the grassroots level will be strengthened by linking State Rural Livelihoods Missions (SRLMs) with District Skill Committees (DSCs). Institutional coordination between SRLMs and DSCs will be facilitated to ensure that the skill development needs of SHG women are effectively integrated into the District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs).

The duration of this MoU is three years. To ensure regular monitoring of the partnership’s progress, a Joint Review Committee will be established, which will conduct quarterly reviews of the ongoing initiatives. Under this partnership, the MoRD, through the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, will also provide financial support for the implementation of targeted skill training and entrepreneurship development programs for beneficiaries from Self-Help Groups. This arrangement will help ensure the quality, effectiveness, and outreach of the training programs.

Under this partnership, the roles of MoRD and MSDE have been clearly defined. MoRD will be responsible for identifying beneficiaries, supporting curriculum development, disseminating training materials, providing entrepreneurship training to SHG women to help them establish viable enterprises, and coordinating state-level training programs.

On the other hand, MSDE will focus on developing skill-based curricula, organizing trainer training programs, leveraging existing skill infrastructure, providing certification through SIDH, and implementing an effective monitoring mechanism for the entire program. This coordinated effort will ensure that the training delivered is not only of high quality but also outcome-oriented.

On the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, said, “This partnership marks a decisive step towards strengthening the social and economic foundation of rural India. It is a major initiative to bring livelihoods, skills, and entrepreneurship onto a common platform to empower millions of women in Self-Help Groups and make them self-reliant. Rural women will be provided with demand-driven training, digital and financial literacy, and opportunities for market linkages. This training will reach the grassroots level through the institutional networks of ITIs, RSETIs, JSS, and NIESBUD. Through the SIDH portal, we will also provide formal recognition of their skills. This is not just about economic empowerment—it lays the foundation for placing women in leadership roles, where they become not only job seekers but also job creators.”

“True equality is rooted in economic self-reliance — and today’s women are moving forward with an incredible capacity to learn. After receiving training, they have become even more empowered, and over 1.48 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ are a living testament to this transformation. Our aim is to ensure that more and more Didis are trained in line with future requirements and become ‘Future-Skilled Didis’, making full use of the infrastructure of ITIs and polytechnic institutions. When India’s population becomes skilled, it becomes the world’s greatest strength. Today, the world needs skilled manpower — and when our hands are equipped with skills, India will lead not just within the country but globally as well. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to both the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Skill Development for this historic collaboration. This partnership will play a pivotal role in empowering 10 crore Didis in rural India and in realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’,” Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, said.

The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by several senior officials. From MSDE, Secretary, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Smt. Hena Usman, Additional Secretary, Smt. Sonal Mishra, and Director, Shri Preetam Dutta were present. Representing MoRD were Secretary, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary, Ms. Swati Sharma, and Additional Secretary, Shri T.K. Anil Kumar. On this occasion, the new websites of the Ministry of Rural Development and the Department of Rural Development were also launched.

It is noteworthy that this partnership will not only strengthen the confidence and economic status of rural women but also give fresh impetus to the ideals of ‘Vocal for Local,’ Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and women empowerment. This initiative stands as a milestone in accelerating India’s rural economy, opening new avenues for rural women and youth, and promoting social inclusion.

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●        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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