India, Oct. 3 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
PM-SETU focuses on upgrading Government 1000 ITIs through a Hub-and-Spoke model and industry-aligned training. The scheme also provides for capacity augmentation of five NSTIs through National Centres of Excellence. Industry participation is incorporated through Strategic Investment Plans, Special Purpose Vehicles and Anchor Industry Partners. The scheme introduces new-age courses covering emerging technologies and occupations. International partnerships support advanced skilling at selected NSTIs. The initiative has also expanded implementation across States and Union Territories through State Steering Committees and industry participation. Its one-year progress includes the identification of 850 ITIs and approval of 14 ITI clusters. Planned skill labs further extend vocational exposure to students.
Implementing PM-SETU: State, Industry and Central Coordination
Industry-Led Governance through SPVs
14 SIPs across 8 States & 1 UT approved by National Steering Committee
No.
State
Cluster
Anchor Industry Partner (AIP)
Sector
Value (Rs. Cr.)
1
AP
Kancharapalem
Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India
Steel & Metals
200
2
Odisha
Keonjhar-Barbil
Jindal Naveen Avsar Ltd (JNAL)
Diversified Manufacturing
240
3
Gujarat
Surat
Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India
Steel & Metals
240
4
Telangana
Old City
Apollo MedSkills Ltd.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
241
5
Telangana
Sangareddy
Neuland Foundation
Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals
241
6
Telangana
Patancheru
Sri Siddharth Infratech & Services
Diversified Manufacturing
275
7
Rajasthan
Bhiwadi
H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd
Infrastructure & Construction
241
8
UP
Meerut
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
Skill Development
240
9
Telangana
Medchal
ZEN Technologies Ltd
Defence & Electronics
254
10
Haryana
Kurukshetra
Jindal Naveen Avsar Ltd (JNAL)
Diversified Manufacturing
320
11
Maharashtra
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar
Belrise Industries
Automotive Industry
238
12
Maharashtra
Pune
BVG Group
Integrated Facility Management
241
13
Jammu & Kashmir
Srinagar
Inderdeep Infra India Limited
Infrastructure & Construction
235
14
Jammu & Kashmir
Jammu
Eagle Infra India Limited
Infrastructure & Construction
240
Total Rs. 3,446 Cr.
New-Age Courses for Emerging Workforce Requirements
International Partnerships for Advanced Skilling
Transforming ITIs for a Skilled Workforce
India's Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) form an important part of the country's vocational training ecosystem, providing youth with practical skills for employment and industry. As workforce requirements evolve, strengthening the quality, relevance and industry orientation of vocational training has become increasingly important.
Against this backdrop, PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) was launched on 4 October 2025. The scheme enhances the overall quality and relevance of vocational training by transforming Government ITIs into modern, industry-aligned training institutions. The initiative seeks to strengthen industry-led governance, upgrade training infrastructure and promote demand-driven courses in line with evolving workforce requirements. The scheme has a total outlay of Rs.60,000 crore, comprising Rs.30,000 crore from the Centre, Rs.20,000 crore from States and Rs.10,000 crore from industry. The scheme completes one year on 4 October 2026.
ITIs: Building the Foundation for a Skilled Workforce
ITIs provide vocational training to equip youth with practical skills for employment and industry. Under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), training is offered through Government and Private Industrial Training Institutes in engineering and non-engineering trades. Course duration varies from six months to two years, depending on the trade. The Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), is the apex organisation responsible for the development and coordination of vocational training at the national level. The functions include framing policies, norms and standards, curriculum development, affiliation, instructor training and trade testing. ITIs are under the administrative and financial control of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations.
The total number of ITIs, including Government and Private, in the country has increased from 9,776 in 2014 to 13,888 in 2026, indicating an increase of 42%. Further, enrolment in ITIs across the country has increased from 9.51 lakh in the academic session 2014-15 to 14.70 lakh in the academic session 2025-26, indicating an increase of 54%.
This expanding network provides a broad institutional base for strengthening vocational training and aligning it with evolving skill requirements across sectors.
How PM-SETU is Transforming ITIs
PM-SETU brings together infrastructure modernisation, industry participation, and new-age training to strengthen vocational education quality. The transformation is anchored in two distinct components, with the first focused on Government ITIs and the second on NSTIs.
Hubs provide facilities such as innovation centres, training-of-trainers infrastructure, production units and placement services. Spokes expand access to training and connect learners with the resources available within their respective clusters.
This model is helping in upgradation of ITIs with smart classrooms, modern laboratories, digital content and industry-aligned courses.
PM-SETU provides for industry-led governance through SPVs for upgraded ITI clusters. The proposed structure provides 51% ownership to the Anchor Industry Partner, while the Centre and State Governments hold 24.5% each.
The SPVs lead cluster development and operations while proposing interventions suited to local industry requirements. These interventions may cover curriculum, training delivery, infrastructure and industry exposure.
PM-SETU at One Year: From Planning to Implementation
Within the first year of PM-SETU, implementation has progressed from institutional preparation and ITI identification to the approval of ITI clusters and SIPs. A total of 850 ITIs have been identified, comprising 172 Hub ITIs and 678 Spoke ITIs. 36 States and Union Territories have identified clusters and created dedicated State budget heads. Meanwhile, 35 States and Union Territories have constituted their State Steering Committees to guide and oversee implementation. 26 States and Union Territories have also initiated the process of inviting industry participation.
The NSC has also approved the transition of PM-SETU from its pilot phase to a nationwide rollout across all 200 identified ITI clusters. The rollout enables States and Union Territories to take up implementation based on industry readiness and implementation capacity.
Approval has been given to SIPs for 14 ITI clusters under PM-SETU with an investment of Rs.3446 crore.
Expanding the Scope of Skilling
To complement infrastructure and institutional reforms, PM-SETU also focuses on making vocational training responsive to emerging technologies and occupations. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has introduced 32 new-age courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme, covering areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Additive Manufacturing, Electric Vehicles, Semiconductor Technology, Robotics, Green Hydrogen, Drones, IoT, Solar Energy, 5G and Software Testing. States can adopt these courses in their ITIs, which are under their administrative and financial control.
The PM-SETU framework also provides for international partnerships to strengthen the capacity of National Centres of Excellence for Skilling and align training with global standards. An MoU has been signed with Singapore for NSTI Chennai, France for NSTI Kanpur, Australia for NSTI Bhubaneshwar and a Joint Declaration of Intent has been exchanged with Germany for NSTI Hyderabad.
Strengthening the Pathway from Skills to Employment
PM-SETU is strengthening India's vocational training ecosystem through modern infrastructure, industry participation and demand-driven training. Its implementation is bringing Government ITIs and NSTIs closer to evolving workforce requirements. The initiative is also expanding access to new-age skills, international expertise and early vocational exposure. Together, these measures are supporting a more connected and industry-responsive skilling pathway for India's youth.
References
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
https://dgt.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-01/NCVT_Affiliation_norms_ITIs.pdf
https://pmsetu.nimi.co.in/about-us
https://pm-setu.skillindiadigital.gov.in/
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2246879&lang1®1
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https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2246879&lang1®1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2291100&lang1®3
https://sansad.in/getFile/lsapps/loksabhaquestions/annex/188/AS206_AQ2o13.pdf?sourcelsapps
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID2281937®6&lang1
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https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?PRID2312980®6&lang1
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID2174932®48&lang2
Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-to-unveil-various-youth-focused-initiatives-worth-more-than-rs-62000-crore-on-4th-october
PM-SETU: One Year of Transforming India's ITIs
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
