PM-SETU ITI Upgradation Agreement with AM/NS India
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has achieved a significant milestone under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme with the signing of Shareholders' Agreements for the upgradation of Government Industrial Training Institutes in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The agreements involve a partnership with ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) for clusters in Surat and Visakhapatnam.
Investment and Cluster Details
A total investment of ₹440 crore has been approved for upgrading nine government ITIs across two clusters. The Surat cluster in Gujarat comprises five ITIs with an approved investment of ₹240 crore, while the Visakhapatnam cluster in Andhra Pradesh includes four ITIs with an approved investment of ₹200 crore. This represents one of the largest industry commitments under PM-SETU, which has a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore aimed at transforming 1,000 government ITIs across India.
Governance Structure
The partnership establishes Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to manage the upgradation and operations of the ITI clusters. AM/NS India holds a 51% stake in these SPVs, while the Government of India and the respective State Governments each hold 24.5% equity participation. The agreements were signed between the Directorate General of Training (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), Governments of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and AM/NS India.
Implementation Framework
AM/NS India will implement the project in collaboration with New Age Makers' Institute of Technology (NAMTECH) as its academic and technical partner. The company will contribute manufacturing expertise and industry insights, while NAMTECH will support curriculum enhancement, training delivery reforms, faculty development, and academic innovation.
Planned Interventions
The upgradation program includes modernization of training infrastructure, workshops, and laboratories; introduction of new-age, industry-relevant trades and technologies; upgradation of existing curricula to align with emerging industry requirements; strengthening instructor training and capacity building; and expansion of hands-on, practical learning opportunities for trainees. These interventions are expected to significantly improve training quality, employability outcomes, and industry readiness among ITI graduates.
Strategic Context
This initiative is part of the broader PM-SETU scheme that aims to transform India's vocational education ecosystem through strong industry partnerships and institutional reforms. The scheme also envisages strengthening five National Skill Training Institutes. The current commitment represents a portion of the total ₹3,446 crore proposed investment across the first 14 Strategic Investment Plans approved under the scheme.