Addressing the gathering, Shri Jayant Chaudhary paid tribute to Chaudhary Ajit Singh ji on his birth anniversary, emphasizing the importance of rural India’s entrepreneurial spirit and youth potential. He highlighted initiatives like SOAR—Skilling for AI Readiness—and encouraged youth to participate in regional and national skill competitions such as IndiaSkills, which offer pathways to international recognition. The Minister underscored the significance of platforms like Kaushal Mahotsav in bridging the gap between talent and industry, and reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding such events nationwide. Supported by the National Skill Development Corporation and aligned with broader reforms like PMKVY 4.0, NAPS apprenticeships, and the modernization of ITIs under PM-SETU, these efforts aim to build a skilled, confident, and future-ready workforce aligned with India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

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This momentum didn’t happen overnight. It has been built through a mix of policy reform, industry partnerships, and deep community outreach. Take the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0)—over 1.63 crore youth have been trained, many in future-ready sectors like electronics, logistics, and healthcare. Likewise, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has placed more than 8.7 lakh apprentices across 1.5 lakh businesses, reflecting a strong push toward practical, on-the-job learning.

A key strength of this movement has been the rising participation of women. Through the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme, over 5.05 lakh individuals have been trained—80% of them women. From tailoring and beauty services to digital skills, women across India are stepping into the workforce with growing confidence and capability.

To make apprenticeships more attractive, the government approved a 36% hike in stipends, now ranging from ₹6,800 to ₹12,300 per month, with adjustments every two years based on inflation. This practical support is helping reduce dropouts and making apprenticeships a more viable choice—especially for those from low-income households.

The transformation goes beyond individuals—it extends to institutions. Traditional ITIs are being upgraded with smart classrooms and updated curricula. A major leap came with the ₹60,000 crore National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, which will modernise 1,000 ITIs and establish five National Centres of Excellence. These are being designed to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.

A big part of this shift is also digital. The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) has emerged as a powerful platform—over 1 crore users and 50 lakh course completions—offering skills in AI, drone technology, cloud computing, and more. The portal is now integrated with flagship schemes like PM Vishwakarma, JSS, and even Green Hydrogen training, bringing high-tech learning to the remotest parts of the country.

SIDH is also driving trust and transparency in certification. New NCVET-certified digital credentials now include QR codes, NSQF levels, photographs, and secure signatories—making certificates easier to verify and more useful for employers. The onboarding of JSS institutions onto SIDH using mobile OTP and Aadhaar e-KYC has made registration simple and scalable.

On the ground, the energy is visible at events like Kaushal Mahotsavs in Bijnor and Bharatpur. With 17,000+ registrations and 3,000+ placements on the spot, these events are not just about employment—they’re about creating hope at scale.
At a policy level, more doors are being opened. The Model Skill Loan Scheme was relaunched with a higher credit cap—₹7.5 lakh, up from ₹1.5 lakh—and now includes NBFCs and non-NSQF courses, allowing more youth to access high-quality training, even from private institutes.

Minister Jayant Chaudhary’s commitment to industry alignment has also strengthened public-private partnerships. Under PMKVY 4.0, collaborations with Air India SATS, Flipkart, and Swiggy are enabling co-pay skilling with guaranteed placements. And to future-proof this ecosystem, 8,000 new trainers are being trained under ToT programmes with HAL, ICT Academy, and NAC.

Institutional development continues apace. Two Indian Institutes of Skills (IIS)—in Mumbai and Ahmedabad—have begun operations, with the first batches graduated in October 2024. Another 200 ITIs are being upgraded as Centres of Excellence, with 800 more in a spoke-hub model. Pilot programmes like the AI Programming Assistant, now running in 19 NSTIs, offer a glimpse into tomorrow’s skill landscape.

India’s skill development efforts are also gaining global recognition. Renewed MoUs with Germany and Singapore, and the Ministry’s presence at the World Economic Forum in Davos, highlight India’s increasing role in shaping the future of global workforce standards. One standout partnership is with Microsoft—the AI Careers for Women initiative will train 20,000 women in Tier II and Tier III towns, blending innovation with inclusion.

Across all these achievements, a quiet but clear narrative emerges—this isn’t just a year of activity; it marks the beginning of long-term transformation. Minister Jayant Chaudhary’s inclusive and reform-driven leadership has focused on making skills more accessible, market-relevant, and future-ready.

From policy reform to digital innovation, and from women-led progress to global collaboration, the Ministry’s work is no longer just about training—it’s about changing lives. And the journey, it seems, has only just begun.

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Bengaluru, February 10, 2025: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the continuation and restructuring of the Central Sector Scheme ‘Skill India Programme (SIP)’ till 2026 with an overlay outlay of ₹8,800 crore from the period 2022-23 to 2025-26. This decision underscores the government’s commitment to building a skilled, future-ready workforce by integrating demand-driven, technology-enabled, and industry-aligned training across the country.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0), the Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS), and the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme – the three key components, are now combined under the composite Central Sector Scheme of “Skill India Programme”.   These initiatives aim to provide structured skill development, on-the-job training, and community-based learning, ensuring that both urban and rural populations, including marginalized communities, have access to high-quality vocational education. Under the three flagships schemes of Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, more than 2.27 Crore beneficiaries till date.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0

PMKVY 4.0 scheme provides NSQF aligned skill development training through Short-Term Training (STT) including Special Projects (SP) and reskilling and upskilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) with its target beneficiary being 15-59 years of age. The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0) has undergone transformational changes to make skill development training industry oriented, aligned with national priorities with increased accessibility. A key shift under the scheme is the integration of On-the-Job Training (OJT) within short-term skilling programs, ensuring that trainees gain real-world exposure and industry experience. To keep pace with evolving industry demands and advent of new age technology, 400+ new courses on AI, 5G technology, Cybersecurity, Green Hydrogen, Drone Technology, have been introduced, focusing on emerging technologies and future skills.

The blended and flexible learning model now incorporates digital delivery, making training more flexible and scalable. To provide targeted, industry-relevant skills, enabling learners to upskill, reskill, and enhance employability in high-demand job roles, the program introduces micro-credential and National Occupational Standards (NoS)-based courses ranging from 7.5 to 30 hours.

To maximize ensure cross utilization of existing infrastructure and to expand access to quality training, Skill Hubs have been established across premier academic institutions, including IITs, NITs, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Kendriya Vidyalayas, Sainik Schools, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), PM Shri Schools, Toolrooms, NILET, CIPET etc. PMKVY 4.0 ensures industry-aligned training with curriculum available in multiple regional languages, making skilling more inclusive and accessible. Over 600 trainee and trainer handbooks have been translated into eight regional languages to enhance learning outcomes.

To strengthen quality training and assessments, a national pool of one lakh assessors and trainers is being developed, ensuring standardization and expertise across training centers. Industry partnerships ensure access to employment opportunities through Recruit Train Deploy (RTD) training.

Additionally, the scheme places a strong emphasis on international mobility, ensuring Indian workers are equipped with globally recognized skills. Ministry has Mobility Partnership Agreements (MMPAs) and MoUs with various countries and has conducted necessary sectorial skill gap studies. Under the scheme, enablement of training in domain skills, joint certifications, language proficiency, and soft skills have been initiated to enhance the international mobility opportunities for our workforce.

Under PMKVY 4.0, a whole-of-government approach has been adopted to drive inter-ministerial convergence, ensuring the seamless execution of skilling initiatives across sectors. The scheme caters to the skilling components of various skill development and entrepreneurship schemes, maximizing impact and resource efficiency. Key collaborations include PM Vishwakarma under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, NAL JAL Mitra etc.

To enhance efficiency, procedural changes have been introduced, including the realignment of the demand assessment strategy to better identify sectoral skill gaps and industry needs. A key reform in PMKVY 4.0 is the “Ease of Doing Business” approach, which has significantly reduced the compliance burden, making participation in the scheme more streamlined and efficient.

PM National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)

The National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015 focuses on apprenticeship as one of the key components for creating skilled manpower in India. Apprenticeship training can play a major role for on-the-job vocational training where youth can acquire skills by working at actual workplace and earn some stipend, at the same time, to financially support himself. Apprenticeship is considered, globally as well, as the best model for skill acquisition and earning while learning.

The Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS) supports seamless transition from education to work, ensuring apprentices gain industry-specific skills through real-world exposure. To support both apprentices and establishments in India, 25% of the stipend, up to ₹1,500 per month per apprentice, will be provided through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) during the training period, provided by the Central Government. The scheme is designed for individuals aged 14 to 35 years, ensuring inclusive access to skill development opportunities across various demographics.

NAPS encourages apprenticeship opportunities in prevailing manufacturing including emerging fields such as AI, robotics, blockchain, green energy, and Industry 4.0 technologies. This aligns skilling initiatives with futuristic job markets and industry trend. The scheme also encourages enrolment of apprentices in small establishments especially Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and those located in the underserved areas such as aspirational districts and North-East Region.

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme

The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) scheme is a community-centric skilling initiative designed to make vocational training accessible, flexible, and inclusive, particularly for women, rural youth, and economically disadvantaged groups and caters to the age group of 15 -45 years of age. By delivering low-cost, doorstep training with flexible schedules, JSS ensures that skilling opportunities reach those who need them the most, fostering both self-employment and wage-based livelihoods. Beyond skill development, the program plays a vital role in social empowerment, creating awareness on health, hygiene, financial literacy, gender equality, and education within communities JSS is linked with key initiatives of the Government like: PM JANMAN, Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society (ULLAS), etc. to promote inclusive skilling.

Aligned with national frameworks, all certifications under the Skill India Program are mapped to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and seamlessly integrated with DigiLocker and the National Credit Framework (NCrF), ensuring formal recognition of skills and enabling smooth transitions into employment and higher education.

With the continuation of the Skill India Programme, the government seeks to reinforce its commitment to lifelong learning, recognizing the importance of continuous upskilling and reskilling in today’s rapidly changing employment landscape. The initiative will directly contribute to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data, ensuring that workforce development policies remain aligned with economic and industrial trends.

The Skill India Programme plays a crucial role in equipping India’s workforce with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy. By integrating industry-relevant training, emerging technologies, and international mobility initiatives, the program aims to create a highly skilled and competitive workforce. As a key driver of economic empowerment, Skill India contributes to employment generation, entrepreneurship, and productivity enhancement across sectors. The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) remains committed to strengthening vocational education, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, and fostering lifelong learning, ensuring that India’s workforce is future-ready and positioned as a global leader in skill-based employment.

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