India, Jan. 23 -- The Government of India has issued a release:
1. Introduction
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) was created in 2014, at a time when millions of young Indians were entering the workforce each year without industry-ready skills. Over the last 11 years, MSDE has transformed this challenge into a national opportunity by building an integrated ecosystem spanning short-term skilling, long-term vocational education, apprenticeship, entrepreneurship, global mobility and support for traditional trades.
This Year-End Review presents key milestones and outcomes achieved, while also reflecting the cumulative progress of MSDE's flagship initiatives.
2. National Skilling through PMKVY 4.0
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is the flagship short-term skilling scheme of MSDE. Over its four phases, it has evolved from a pilot incentive-based certification programme to a large-scale, demand-driven, outcome-oriented skilling ecosystem.
PMKVY has also coverged with flagship schemes such as PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, Vibrant Villages Programme, National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-JANMAN, PM SVANidhi, Jal Jeevan Mission, among others, thereby embedding a strong skilling component in national development programmes keeping in line with the whole of government approach.
Training of Trainers & Assessors (ToT & ToA): Under PMKVY 4.0, a dedicated outlay of Rs.200 crore has been earmarked to create a National Pool of Trainers and Assessors, with standard operating procedures, curricula and certification frameworks issued by NCVET and hosted on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH).
From April 2024 to November 2025:
Aligning skills with various national missions and emerging sectors:
National missions have given a strong direction to skilling initiatives, targeting the requirement of skilled workforce in Semi-conductors, AI / Cyber security, renewable and mobility. MSDE has developed more than 600 Job roles in these sectors and skilled over 4.3 Lakh youth in new-age courses.
3. Modernising the ITI Ecosystem and Launch of PM-SETU
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) remain the backbone of long-term vocational education in India. Under MSDE's stewardship, this ecosystem has been significantly expanded and modernised:
Key reforms and initiatives include:
PM-SETU: A Landmark Reform in ITI Modernisation
To further strengthen this ecosystem, the Union Cabinet on 7 May 2025 approved PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs.60,000 crore (Central Share: Rs.30,000 crore; State Share: Rs.20,000 crore; Industry Share: Rs.10,000 crore), with 50% of the Central share co-financed equally by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank as a result-based loan.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi launched PM-SETU on 4 October 2025 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi.
Key features:
4. Expanding Apprenticeships through NAPS 2.0
Apprenticeship remains a key pillar for "earn while you learn" and industry-centric skill development. Under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS):
Performance between April 2024 and November 2025:
Reforms and Facilitation:
Skilling under PM Vishwakarma
Launched in September 2023 by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, jointly implemented by Ministry of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises (MSME), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Ministry of Finance, celebrates and empowers India's traditional artisans and craftspeople known as the Vishwakarmas, who for generations have shaped India's material and cultural legacy. Recognizing their invaluable role, the scheme aims to equip these artisans with modern skills, financial support, and formal recognition, ensuring that traditional knowledge thrives in today's evolving economy.
Under this transformative initiative, over 23.66 lakh artisans from 18 traditional trades including carpentry, blacksmithing, tailoring, pottery, sculpture, and goldsmithing have been formally trained. Beyond just technical training, artisans received modern toolkits, certifications, and access to credit to expand their businesses, adapt to modern demands, and enhance their incomes.
The scheme's impact goes beyond numbers. Special "Guru ka Samman" events were organized to honor 94 community leaders and master craftsmen, preserving India's priceless guru-shishya traditions while building a bridge to modern markets. Artisans were trained through structured basic training programs, supported by handbooks, 1,500+ training videos, and multilingual resources to ensure ease of learning.
Additionally, financial empowerment was a core pillar and trainees were connected to credit facilities through banks, enabling them to invest in better equipment, marketing, and production expansion. This support enabled artisans like Mhonthung, a carpenter from Nagaland, and Thokchom Priyanka Devi, a flower artisan from Manipur, to not only enhance their crafts but to turn passion into sustainable entrepreneurship.
The scheme also celebrated its first anniversary with a landmark event in Wardha, Maharashtra, in the august presence of the Prime Minister. More than 50,000 artisans participated on-ground, with 1 lakh skill certificates distributed and parallel celebrations organized across 550+ locations nationwide.
By combining skill development, financial empowerment, digital enablement, and cultural pride, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana is reviving India's rich artisanal heritage. It ensures that traditional artisans are no longer left behind, but are future-ready entrepreneurs who contribute meaningfully to a Viksit Bharat, an India that cherishes its traditions while embracing the future.
5. Digital Public Infrastructure for Skills - SIDH and Digital Platforms
The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), launched on 13 September 2023, is India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for skills. It integrates training, assessment, certification, crediting and employment on a single trusted platform. NSDC is the implementing agency on behalf of MSDE.
Key Integrations:
SIDH is integrated with 25 Central Ministries, 27 States and multiple national platforms including:
Impact between April 2024 and September 2025:
The Bharatskills Portal, launched in 2019, continues to complement SIDH as a rich online content repository, with over 75.37 lakh users and 4.44 crore hits, providing digital learning support to ITI trainees and trainers.
DGT has signed an MoU with Autodesk on 6th Nov 2025 to enhance digital "design and make" skills across 14682 ITIs and 33 NSTIs in India. The collaboration aims to equip trainers and trainees with advanced tools, curricula, and certifications in areas like AI, 3D design, and manufacturing. Covering more than 23 lakh trainees, this initiative modernises vocational training, bridges the gap between education and industry, and prepares India's workforce for future technologies. It marks a major step towards building a globally competitive, technology-driven skilled talent ecosystem.
Short-term courses on Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Cybersecurity, and Blockchain were introduced through partnerships with global tech giants like IBM, Microsoft, and Cisco, ensuring Indian youth are not just ready for today's jobs but tomorrow's as well.
6. Entrepreneurship Development and Access to Finance
Recognising entrepreneurship as a key driver of job creation, MSDE has focused on building entrepreneurial capabilities and easing access to credit.
6.1 Entrepreneurship Development through NIESBUD and IIE
Through the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE), Guwahati:
Swavalambini - Women Entrepreneurship Programme
Enterprise Creation under Entrepreneurship Programmes (recent years)
MSDE also showcased 15 innovative startups nurtured under its initiatives at Startup Mahakumbh (3-5 April 2025) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, highlighting skill-based entrepreneurship across sectors from organic foods and sustainable fashion to AI and logistics.
6.2 EMErGP - Micro-Entrepreneurs at Gram Panchayat Level
Under SANKALP's DLI-7, the EMErGP project aims to improve service delivery at Gram Panchayat level by linking skill-certified individuals to local employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in 2,000 Gram Panchayats across six States (Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh).
Overall project performance (till November 2025):
Between April 2024 and November 2025:
6.3 Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development (CGFSSD)
The Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development, anchored by MSDE, was comprehensively revamped based on consultations led by NSDC between May 2023 and July 2024.
Key modifications (approved in June 2024 and notified on 9 July 2024):
Performance as on 31 August 2025:
These reforms have expanded access to skill financing, especially for aspirational, high-value and overseas-oriented skill programmes.
7. Inclusive Skilling - Jan Shikshan Sansthan
7.1 Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS) and Tribal Skilling
The JSS network has emerged as a key vehicle for last-mile skilling among rural, tribal, women and marginalized communities.
Under convergence with Ministry of Tribal Affairs' Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA):
With these reforms, Jan Shikshan Sansthans have evolved into a powerful vehicle for socio-economic empowerment, providing market-linked livelihood opportunities and promoting self-reliance among vulnerable and marginalized communities.
8. Taking Indian Skills Global
MSDE has proactively positioned India as a global hub for skilled manpower through G2G agreements, migration partnerships and global skill centres.
8.1 Government-to-Government (G2G) Agreements
India has seven active G2G MoUs on labour and skill cooperation with Australia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Qatar, Singapore and UAE, with an MoU with France in the pipeline. Skill development components have also been integrated into eight Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreements (MMPAs) and Labour Mobility Agreements (LMAs) with countries including Australia, Israel, Denmark, Italy, Germany, UK, Japan and Austria.
Israel
Japan - TITP & SSW
Mauritius
8.2 Skill India International Centres (SIICs) and PDOT
To streamline ethical skill-based mobility:
Under Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY):
Addressing Domestic Skill Demand & Supply Mismatch
9. Skill Competitions and Celebrating Skill Pride
9.1 WorldSkills and WorldSkills Asia
WorldSkills Competition 2024 (Lyon, France; 10-15 September 2024)
WorldSkills Asia Competition 2025 (Chinese Taipei; 27-29 November 2025)
9.2 IndiaSkills Competitions
9.3 Kaushal Mahotsav and Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh
Kaushal Mahotsav (district-level job and apprenticeship fairs):
Selected events (Apr 2024-Nov 2025):
Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh 2025
10. Strengthening Governance, Quality and Decentralised Planning
MSDE has undertaken systemic reforms to ensure that India's skilling ecosystem is scalable, accountable and quality-assured.
SANKALP - Institutional Strengthening and Inclusion
The Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) programme, a World Bank-supported initiative (launched 2018; concluded March 2025), has substantially strengthened the institutional architecture of skilling.
Key achievements:
These efforts have created a decentralised, data-driven and inclusive skilling ecosystem that responds to local needs while meeting national and global priorities.
11. National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) - Regulator for Skill Development
NCVET was notified by the Government of India on 5th December, 2018 as an overarching skills regulator. It is mandated to regulate the functioning of entities engaged in vocational education and training, both long and short term, and establish minimum standards for the functioning of such entities. The major functions of NCVET consist of the following: a. Recognition and regulation of Awarding Bodies (ABs), Assessment Agencies (AAs) and Skill related Information Providers b. Approval of qualifications c. Monitoring and supervision of recognized entities d. Grievance redressal
1. Building a Unified Skill Architecture - From Fragmentation to Cohesion
For years, India's skilling system operated through multiple bodies, each with its own standards and processes. As the economy opened up and the need for a skilled workforce grew, this fragmented approach led to inconsistencies in training quality, duplication of qualifications, and limited mobility for learners. Recognising this challenge, the Government of India created NCVET as a unified national regulator to bring clarity, coherence, and quality to the skilling ecosystem.
NCVET deepened this mandate by expanding its network of recognised Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies across ministries, universities, school boards, and Institute of National Importance (INIs).
This expansion was not merely administrative, it helped weave vocational education into the mainstream, in line with NEP 2020 and the vision of Viksit Bharat, ensuring that every learner whether in a school, university, ITI, or defence academy operates under one trusted national quality framework.
3. NCVET Expands National Skilling Ecosystem with 229 Recognised Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies
As on 28 December 2025, the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has signed 229 Recognition Agreements, reflecting the continued expansion and strengthening of the national vocational education and training ecosystem. These recognitions include 161 Awarding Bodies (ABs)-comprising 48 AB (Standard) and 113 AB (Dual)-and 68 Assessment Agencies (AAs). The recognised entities encompass a wide range of institutions, including Central Government Bodies (20), State Government Bodies (17), School Boards (2), Sector Skill Councils (36), MNCs/OEMs (11), Defence Forces (20), Higher Educational Institutions (17), Deemed Awarding Bodies (27), and Others/Professional Bodies (79). This achievement underscores NCVET's statutory mandate to ensure standardisation, quality assurance, and national recognition of vocational qualifications, in alignment with the NSQF, NCrF, and the objectives of the Skill India Mission, thereby enhancing the credibility, portability, and industry relevance of skilling outcomes across the country.
2. A Modern, Responsive Qualification System
As industries evolved at an unprecedented pace AI, EVs, robotics, green energy, the traditional qualifications alone could not prepare India's youth for the future. This created an urgent need for an agile qualification system that could respond quickly and intelligently to changing needs.
NCVET rose to this challenge through the National Skill Qualification Committee (NSQC), which approves a wide range of qualifications across future skills, core trades, IndiaSkills standards, and micro-credentials.
This ensured that students across the country gained access to relevant, industry-aligned, NSQF-compliant qualifications that grant them mobility, recognition, and dignity of work-anywhere in the nation.
3. KaushalVerse - Digitising the universe of Skilling Governance
With thousands of qualifications, hundreds of awarding bodies and assessment agencies, manual oversight had reached its limits. Governance needed to be digital, real-time, and transparent.
NCVET took the lead by developing the KaushalVerse, a transformational digital enterprise portal hosting recognition, qualification approvals, monitoring, and grievance redressal all on a single window. India's skilling governance moved from file-based decisions to evidence-based, data-driven oversight. KaushalVerse not only modernised NCVET's internal systems but also signalled a major step toward the vision of a digitally empowered and accountable skilling ecosystem under Digital India.
4. New Standards for a New India - The Policy Backbone of Skilling
As new players from universities to MNCs to defence units entered the skilling landscape, the need for updated guidelines became critical.
Existing norms were not sufficient for modern technologies, blended learning models, or the explosion of micro-credential-based upskilling.
NCVET responded by developing an entire suite of guidelines that also got gazetted covering:
Each guideline emerged from consultations, feedback, and ecosystem reality-ensuring that regulation remains "light but tight" and aligned with national priorities such as NEP 2020, NCrF, and IndiaAI.
5. Strengthening States and Institutions - From Capacity Gaps to Capability Building
As school boards, HEIs, and state bodies prepared to become Awarding Bodies under NEP 2020, many faced challenges in understanding NSQF, qualification development, creditisation, and compliance.
NCVET recognised this gap early. Instead of letting institutions struggle, it proactively organised zonal workshops (Guwahati, Mumbai, Chennai, Bhopal). This helped states and institutions transition smoothly into quality-assured awarding functions ensuring that vocational pathways in schools and universities became credible, standardised, and scalable.
6. Preparing India for the Age of Artificial Intelligence - The SOAR Journey
The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative marks India's first large-scale effort to bring foundational AI literacy to every learner, fully aligned with the IndiaAI Mission's vision of AI for All, AI for Many and AI for the Few. Recognising that the future workforce must not only use AI but understand it responsibly, NCVET designed SOAR as a progressive, NSQF-aligned learning pathway for Classes 6-12 and educators. The programme introduces students to the fundamentals of AI, digital fluency, ethics, safety, and project-based problem solving, ensuring early and equitable exposure across regions and school systems. Developed in collaboration with NCERT, CBSE, NIOS, industry leaders, and technology partners, SOAR is structured into micro-credentials AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, AI to Aspire, and AI for Educators which can be creditised under NCrF. By embedding AI readiness at the school level and empowering teachers with the right tools, SOAR positions India to build a digitally fluent, innovation-oriented generation capable of leading the country's AI-driven future.
7. Equipping Youth with Life-Ready and Work-Ready Skills - The Employability Skills Framework
Employers consistently expressed a concern: While technical skills were strong, behavioural and soft skills were uneven across the workforce.
To address this, NCVET developed a comprehensive national framework for Employability, Soft, and Life Skills aligned with NCrF and NSQF. Nine modules, fifty sub-modules, and four progressive levels were created, supported by high-quality digital and instructor-led content. For the first time, every learner across schools, colleges, and vocational centres can graduate with 21st-century competencies communication, reasoning, digital fluency, values, and workplace readiness.
8. Strengthening Apprenticeship Pathways - Bringing Learning Closer to Work
Apprenticeships are globally recognised as the most effective bridge between learning and employment. But in India, lack of standardisation, unclear credit pathways, and limited visibility of apprenticeship learning created barriers.
NCVET addressed this challenge by formalising standard templates and aligning apprenticeship learning outcomes with NSQF and the Academic Bank of Credits. Today, apprenticeship credits are visible on DigiLocker, enabling students to use them toward future degrees, mobility, or employment . This workflow supports the government's goal of strengthening apprenticeship-led skilling for economic growth.
9. India's Semiconductor Workforce Strategy
The India Semiconductor Ecosystem Workforce Development Strategy, led by NCVET under the guidance of MSDE and in collaboration with MeitY, NASSCOM, AICTE, DGT and NSDC, represents one of the most decisive national interventions to prepare India for leadership in the global semiconductor race. With the semiconductor industry forming the technological backbone of AI, electronics, mobility, defence and digital infrastructure, India urgently needed a coordinated approach to build a highly skilled, industry-ready talent pipeline across design, fabrication, ATMP and allied services. NCVET took the lead in addressing this gap by mapping workforce needs across the entire value chain, assessing existing NSQF-aligned qualifications, and collaborating with global leaders such as ARM and Samsung to create new, cutting-edge job roles. The resulting strategy lays out stackable, process-specific, and future-ready qualifications supported by a national ToT plan, enabling career pathways from school and ITI levels up to engineering and R&D roles. By driving this initiative, NCVET has positioned India to not only meet domestic demand for semiconductor talent but also emerge as a global hub for specialised chip design and manufacturing workforce an essential pillar of the country's long-term digital and economic sovereignty.
Through digital governance, strengthened standards, future-ready qualifications, and integration of skilling with education, NCVET is laying the foundation for a skilled, confident, and empowered India an India ready to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Annual Review- Inputs of IC Division, MSDE
A. Skill India International Centres (SIICs)
B. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the French Republic in the area of Cooperation in the fields of Skill Development, Vocational Education and Training
C. Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of India and World Economic Forum in the area of Cooperation in the fields of Skill Development, Vocational Education and Training
D. Setting up Five National Centres of Excellence with Global Partnership
E. MoS (I/C) visit to WEF Summit 2025 held in Davos, Switzerland
F. MoS (I/C) visit to Australia
G. Other Developments/Prominent Meetings
With Australia:
With Singapore
With Japan
With Germany
With Philippines:
With Africa:
With EU:
12. Conclusion - India's Workforce, India's Power
In just over a decade, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has laid a strong foundation for a Skilled, Aspirational and Entrepreneurial India. From large-scale short-term training under PMKVY and deep reforms in ITIs and apprenticeships, to the digital backbone of SIDH, targeted support for artisans through PM Vishwakarma, inclusive initiatives through JSS and SANKALP, and new pathways of global mobility-Skill India has become a national movement.
Whether it is a woman artisan in Assam, a solar technician in Gujarat, a hospitality apprentice in Australia, a caregiver in Japan, a tribal entrepreneur in the North-East, or a tech startup founder in Bengaluru-every skilled Indian today is a stakeholder in building a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The journey has gathered momentum, but it is far from over. With newer dreams, newer skills and an unwavering spirit, MSDE remains committed to empowering every citizen to learn, earn and contribute to India's growth story.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
