The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) provided a comprehensive overview of its initiatives to address skill gaps in emerging technologies through the Skill India Mission. The programs are designed to align training with market needs through 36 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) led by industry leaders in respective sectors, which are mandated to identify skill development needs and determine skill competency standards.
MSDE delivers skill, re-skill, and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centers under various schemes including Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). Under PMKVY, new age/future skills job-roles have been aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements in areas like AI/ML, Robotics, Mechatronics, and Drone Technology. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has introduced new age/future skills courses under CTS to provide training in emerging areas such as 5G Network, AI Programming, Cyber Security, Drone Technology, and Internet of Things.
MSDE has launched a national-level SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative aimed at embedding AI awareness and foundational skills among school students (Classes 6–12) and building AI literacy among educators. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) along with IT-ITeS Sector Skills Council (Nasscom) has launched the FutureSkills Prime platform offering courses on Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and other digital skills, with Nasscom creating 146 Qualifications in future skills related job roles.
The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) serves as an overarching regulator establishing regulations and standards to ensure quality in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) space. NCVET has approved 10,209 qualifications as per industry requirements, out of which 2,975 qualifications are valid and active, and 7,234 qualifications are archived. Notably, 678 qualifications are categorized as future skills qualifications by NCVET.
DGT is implementing Flexi MoU Scheme and Dual System of Training (DST) in collaboration with industries to provide training to ITI students in real industrial environment. DGT has signed MoUs with IT tech companies including IBM, Microsoft, Autodesk, AWS, and Shell to ensure industry linkages for institutes at state and regional levels. Two Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) have been established at Ahmedabad and Mumbai in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to align industry-ready workforce to emerging economic opportunities.
In line with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) developed in collaboration with UGC and AICTE enables students enrolled in degree and diploma programmes to undertake apprenticeship training as an integral part of their curriculum. The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM SETU) scheme upgrades 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs) in a Hub and Spoke model, including smart classrooms, modern labs, digital content, and new courses aligned to industry needs.
The Government undertakes periodic reviews of skilling initiatives assessing enrolment, certification, placement, self-employment outcomes and employer feedback through MIS-based monitoring, third-party assessments and beneficiary feedback to ensure programs remain aligned with evolving technology trends and labor-market requirements.