Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Industry Alignment Initiatives
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provided a comprehensive overview of its industry-focused skill development initiatives under the Skill India Mission. The ministry delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of development centers under various schemes including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
Key Industry-Led Initiatives
PMKVY 4.0 focuses on demand-driven skilling, upskilling and reskilling in emerging sectors with special emphasis on future skills including Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Robotics, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, and green technologies. The program promotes on-the-job training and involves industry experts in curriculum development to ensure alignment with current market demands. The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has approved 10,209 qualifications as per industry requirements, including 2,975 valid and active qualifications.
Institutional Framework and Partnerships
Thirty-six Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) led by industry leaders have been established to identify skill development needs and determine competency standards. The government has signed Memoranda of Understanding/Cooperation with fourteen countries to align skilling efforts with global requirements. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has introduced 32 new-age courses in ITIs and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) covering areas such as 5G Network Technician, Artificial Intelligence Programming assistant, Cyber Security Assistant, and Drone Technician.
Corporate Collaborations and Major Investments
DGT has signed MoUs with major IT companies including IBM, CISCO, Future Skill Rights Network, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft to ensure industry linkages under Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. Indian Institute of Skills established at Ahmedabad and Mumbai in Public-Private Partnership Mode aims to cultivate an industry-ready workforce for Industry 4.0. The National Skill Development Corporation has partnered with international organizations including AWS, Microsoft, Intel, Redhat, Pearson VUE, Boston Consulting Group, and Cisco Networking Academy for providing digital courses.
Apprenticeship and Major Scheme Details
Under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), stipend support up to ₹1,500 per month is released to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer. The government has launched PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs), a centrally sponsored scheme with an investment of ₹60,000 crore. The scheme envisages upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs across the country in a hub-and-spoke model comprising 200 hub ITIs and 800 spoke ITIs, focusing on improving employability outcomes through industry-led governance.
Digital Integration Platform
MSDE has launched Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) as a unified platform that integrates skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to provide life-long services targeting wide stakeholders. Candidate details are available on the SIDH portal for employer connections, providing access to jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.
This information was provided by Minister of State (Independent Charge) Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on July 20, 2026.