Latest news with #MinistryofSkillDevelopmentandEntrepreneurship
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Parliament panel flags ‘slow pace' in setting up of skill labs in schools
A Parliamentary standing committee on Wednesday raised concerns over the 'slow pace' in setting up skill labs in schools under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's (MSDE) Skill India programme, noting that only 858 labs in schools had been established till March 2025, short of the target to set up 1,200 labs by December 2024, despite all necessary equipment being delivered for 1,194 labs. Students of at a skill lab in a school in Ludhiana. (HT Photo) The Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development, in its report on the MSDE's response to the 2024–25 budget recommendations, has asked the ministry to regularly follow up with relevant agencies to ensure the remaining 336 labs are set up within the next six months. The committee also asked the MSDE to ensure arrangements for delivery and setting up of equipment for six labs in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, which got delayed due to adverse weather conditions. Under its flagship scheme – SANKALP (Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion) – MSDE launched the project in June 2024 to establish two vocational skill labs each in 400 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) in line with the recommendations of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The aim of these labs is to equip students with practical, industry-relevant skills to support their school-to-work transition. A Request for Proposal (RFP) for the supply and installation of equipment was issued by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal in June 2024, and the contract was awarded in September 2024. The panel has also flagged concerns over the SANKALP scheme, citing underutilisation of funds, low placement rates, and slow progress on key targets. SANKALP, a World Bank-assisted, centrally sponsored scheme launched in 2018, is aimed at strengthening institutional mechanisms for skill development and enhancing access to quality training across the country. The parliamentary panel flagged key concerns in the implementation of the SANKALP scheme, noting that nearly ₹760 crore out of the ₹1,980 crore sanctioned remained unutilised, with states like Bihar and West Bengal using just 5% of their allocations, resulting in the completion of only 19 of the 65 projects under the national component. The panel also criticised the MSDE for poor placement outcomes – only 40% of trained candidates secured jobs, with some districts faring worse. It called for stronger industry linkages and more market-aligned training. The panel also expressed concern over the slow rollout of Skill India International Centres, with just 2 of the 30 centres announced in Budget 2023–24 made operational, and urged the ministry to fast-track the remaining centres within a set timeframe.
Qatar Tribune
5 days ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
India poised to lead with world's largest AI-ready school population
Agencies New Delhi With a young and dynamic demographic, a rapidly digitising economy, and a strong push for foundational and future skills, India is laying the groundwork for an educational revolution that embraces artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and data sciences, writes Dr Arun Kumar Sharma As India celebrates a decade of the transformative Skill India Mission, the country now stands at the threshold of a groundbreaking milestone: becoming the global leader in AI-ready school talent. India's Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, recently announced that India is on course to have the world's largest AI-ready school-going population—a development that not only underscores the nation's growing digital capabilities but also reflects its proactive approach to future-proofing its youth. This ambitious vision dovetails seamlessly with India's broader aspirations in technology and innovation. With a young and dynamic demographic, a rapidly digitising economy, and a strong push for foundational and future skills, India is laying the groundwork for an educational revolution that embraces artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, and data sciences. Speaking at the 10-year anniversary of the Skill India Mission, Jayant Chaudhary emphasised the importance of integrating AI and future technologies into school curricula. 'India is not just preparing for the future—it is building it,' he said, outlining how government initiatives are equipping students with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in an AI-driven world. The statement comes at a time when AI is being recognised as a transformative force across sectors—from healthcare and education to finance and agriculture. By developing a robust base of AI-literate students, India is positioning itself as not only a consumer of AI technologies but a global supplier of talent and innovation in the field. India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 plays a pivotal role in creating this AI-ready ecosystem. The NEP advocates for multidisciplinary learning, critical thinking, and digital fluency from an early age. Coding is now being taught as early as Class 6, and AI modules have been introduced in schools across several states as part of the CBSE and state board curricula. This early exposure to AI concepts helps students develop problem-solving abilities and prepares them to understand complex systems. It also aligns with the goals of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), which emphasises experiential learning and practical application of knowledge. By embedding AI literacy at the school level, the NEP ensures that students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds are not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The focus is clear: democratise access to next-gen skills and make future technologies part of mainstream education. A key enabler of this vision is India's expanding digital infrastructure. Programmes like PM eVidya, DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), and SWAYAM have ensured that digital content reaches every corner of the country. The government has made strategic investments in ensuring internet connectivity in rural schools and in providing affordable digital devices to students and teachers. Under the BharatNet project, high-speed broadband is being deployed in over 250,000 village panchayats, bringing digital classrooms to rural India. This digital push ensures that AI education is not limited to urban centres but reaches India's hinterland, bridging the rural-urban divide in digital literacy. Moreover, with the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) being established, there is a clear roadmap for leveraging tech-enabled learning tools to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. Launched in 2015, the Skill India Mission has already trained millions of youth in industry-relevant skills. As the mission marks its 10-year milestone, its focus is shifting decisively towards future skills like AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, blockchain, and big data. Jayant Chaudhary emphasised that the mission's next phase would prioritise convergence between formal education and vocational training, enabling school students to build practical, employable skills while still in classrooms. Programmes under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) are being redesigned to offer short-term certification courses in AI and emerging technologies for school and college students alike. The mission's continued success lies in its inclusivity and scale. Skill development centres have been established in remote areas, women and differently-abled candidates are being encouraged through special incentives, and partnerships with private players and global tech firms are helping modernise training modules. Public-private partnerships fuelling AI education Recognising the need for industry alignment, India has entered into partnerships with global technology leaders like Intel, IBM, Microsoft, and Google to train school students and teachers in AI fundamentals. These collaborations offer access to world-class resources, mentorship programs, bootcamps, and hands-on labs. Initiatives like the CBSE-AI curriculum, created in partnership with Intel, have already introduced thousands of students across 22 states to AI tools and applications. Hackathons and AI innovation challenges are regularly organised to encourage students to create real-world solutions using AI for social good. Such efforts ensure that India's AI-ready population is not just theoretically informed but practically skilled and industry-ready by the time they graduate. Empowering teachers, elevating classrooms Building an AI-ready student population requires an equally empowered teaching workforce. The Ministry of Education and MSDE have launched multiple initiatives for teacher training, both online and offline. These include capacity-building workshops, AI certification programmes, and peer-learning communities where educators share best practices. Through programmes like NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads' and Teachers' Holistic Advancement), lakhs of teachers are being trained in digital pedagogies, AI curriculum integration, and the ethical use of technology. This ensures that classrooms remain dynamic spaces where curiosity is nurtured and innovation is celebrated. The impact of these reforms is already visible in national innovation contests and global tech competitions. Indian school students have begun to stand out with AI-powered projects that address real-world issues—from climate change monitoring and language translation apps to automated crop management systems and smart health diagnostics. These student innovations are being supported by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), which has established thousands of Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country. These labs provide a platform for young minds to experiment with AI, robotics, IoT, and other technologies in a hands-on environment. Minister Jayant Chaudhary rightly pointed out that these young innovators are not just learning—they are leading. They represent a confident, tech-savvy generation prepared to shape India's digital future. As India embraces its demographic dividend, the focus on AI-readiness at the school level is not only timely—it's visionary. With the world increasingly looking toward digital and intelligent systems, India is preparing an entire generation to lead, innovate, and compete globally. Jayant Chaudhary's statement signals a shift in national consciousness—from seeing education as a tool for literacy to recognising it as the foundation for leadership in the 21st-century knowledge economy. India's future lies in the hands of its youth—and with a growing, AI-ready school population, that future looks bright, bold, and boundless.
The Hindu
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
News from the world of Education: August 1, 2025
IndiaSkills Competition The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, invites applications for IndiaSkills Competition (ISC) 2025 to identify and nurture talented youth and prepare them to represent the nation on international stages and to inspire young people to pursue careers in vocational education and recognise the importance of skilled work in today's economy. Eligibility: Indian nationals between 16 and 25 years. Deadline: September 30 Details at Block by Block CoinSwitch, along with Trilegal, The Centre for Technology, Entertainment and Sports Law at NUJS Kolkata, has launched Block by Block, a national-level paper presentation competition on the theme A Policy Approach for Regulation of Virtual Digital Assets or Crypto assets to Foster the Growth of a New Asset Class in India. Eligibility: Bonafide UG and PG students of Law and Public Policy programmes Deadline: September 10 Details at Admissions and scholarships The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has opened registrations for NMAT by GMAC, which is accepted by 58 institutions in India for admissions to management programmes. The testing window will run from November 5 to December 19. Deadline to register is October 10. Details at NMIMS' School of Business Management invites applications to its MBA programmes with specialisations in Human Resources, Pharmaceutical Management, Business Analytics, and Digital Transformation. Admissions are through the NMAT by GMAC exam. For more details, visit IIM Kozhikode will conduct the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2025 on November 30 across 170 cities. Eligibility: Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution with at least 50% or equivalent CGPA [45% for applicants from SC, ST and PwD categories] Deadline: September 13. Details at IIT Roorkee, in collaboration with Futurense, launched the six-month PG Certificate in AI-Enabled Digital Marketing and MarTech. Commences: October 11 Eligibility: Graduates above 21 years with a degree (minimum 50%) from a recognised university Details at Vidyamandir Classes has announced the Vidyamandir Intellect Quest 2025, which will be held on September 28, October 5, 11, 12, and 26. This national aptitude and scholarship test helps students assess their potential for various competitive and scholastic exams. Registration is free. Eligibility: Students from classes 5 to 12 Details at NIT Rourkela invites applications for Direct Admission of Students Abroad (DASA) 2025 and Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB)-Special Round for eligible candidates seeking admission to UG programmes at NITs, IIITs, IIEST, SPAs, other technical Institutions funded by Central or state governments and some other institutes for 2025-26. Deadline: August 7 For more details, visit Sanskriti University invites applications for its Diploma, UG, and PG programmes across Engineering, Management and Commerce, Education, Special Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Pharmacy, Agriculture, Fashion Designing, Law and Legal Studies, Tourism and Hotel Management, Medical and Allied Sciences, Basic and Applied Sciences, Ayurveda, and Nursing. Deadline: August 15 For details of eligibility and courses, visit Masai, in collaboration with BITS School of Management, has launched programmes in Product Management with Agentic AI and Business Analytics and Decision Making with Generative AI. Eligibility: Students, recent graduates with or without a Tech background Details at and PhysicsWallah invites applications for the fourth edition of the PhysicsWallah National Scholarship Cum Admission Test (PWNSAT) 2025. Eligibility: Students from Class 5 to 12 and those have completed class 12 (Science streams) When: Between October 1 and 15 (online) and October 4, 5, 11 and 12 (offline) Details at Dr. Azad Moopen, founder and chairman of Aster DM Healthcare, has launched the Dr. Moopen's Legacy Scholarship and Fellowships Programme for meritorious students seeking admissions in Dr. Moopen's Medical College, Dr Moopen's Nursing College and Dr Moopen's College of Pharmacy in Wayanad, Kerala. For details, visit Australia's University of Wollongong (UOW) India has announced the Women Leaders in FinTech and Data Analytics Scholarship, which offers a 50% reduction in tuition fees for women pursuing a PG in Financial Technology, Financial Technology (Extension), or Computing (Data Analytics). Details at The university is also accepting applications for its November 2025 intake. Details at Events Anant National University, in collaboration with the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, United States, hosted the Indigenous Consciousness Education Research Methodology Convening. Scholars, education policy experts and practitioners participated. RuralShores Skills Academy, along with Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (DSEU) Lighthouse Communities Foundation, has introduced a free Digital Marketing Certification Programme for youth from underserved communities. IIIT Hyderabad has launched a FabLab, with support from the Department of Science and Technology, under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme. It consists of semiconductor IC characterisation tools and will work on the development of biosensors and bio-actuators focused on healthcare applications. Ebix Smartclass launched Ebix AI School, an AI and coding programme to introduce AI, coding, robotics and computational thinking to students from classes 1 to 12. Manav Rachna University introduced an AeroVision Drone Lab, the Innovation in Flight Laboratory for Youth (iFLY). Prof. Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum, was the chief guest. IIM Nagpur organised Viksit Bharat 2047: Global Perspective Conference, a thought leadership summit. Ajay Sancheti, former MP and industrialist, was the chief guest. Casagrand International School inaugurated the 14th edition of the International Indian Movement to United Nations (I.I.M.U.N) Tamil Nadu Conference 2025. Over 1,000 student delegates, and more than 100 principals participated. M. Venkaiah Naidu, former Vice President of India, was the chief guest. Researchers led by Prof. Abhayanand Singh Maurya, faculty at the Department of Earth Sciences, IIT Roorkee, conducted a full-scale isotopic analysis of the Ganga from its Himalayan origin to its deltaic end, including its major tributaries to understand how the river is sustained during the hot and dry summer months. The study was published in Hydrological Processes. IIM Kashipur conducted a five-day Nurturing Future Leadership programme under the aegis of the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme, Ministry of Education, Government of India for teachers and faculty members from higher education institutions. SGT University, Gurugram, in collaboration with the University of Lucknow, University of Jammu, Vinoba Bhave University, and Chandragupt Institute of Management, Patna, hosted a Higher Education Leaders Conclave 2025 on the theme Reimagining Indian Education: Legacy, Policy, and Nation-Building in the Light of NEP 2020. Welham Girls' School, Uttarakhand, inaugurated a School Museum to celebrate its legacy. Premila Nazir, who was the first student to be enrolled in the school was the Guest of Honour. Neelam Khanna of the batch of 1965 was the chief guest. NIIT University (NU), celebrated Van Mahotsav 2025 by hosting a plantation drive with 500 saplings at its Neemrana campus in the presence of Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The SAI International Education Group concluded the 13th edition of the SAI Model United Nations (SAIMUN). Around 750 delegates from 23 countries participated. Surama Padhy, Speaker of the Odisha Legislative Assembly, was the chief guest. SAI Tribune 2025, the conference's official newsletter, was also launched. The British Council and OneStep Global hosted a focused pre-departure event for Indian students heading to the U.K. this September. Representatives from 10 universities from the U.K. participated. Extramarks Education launched Extra Intelligence, an AI-powered education suite designed to transform how schools teach, assess, and support students. It includes tools to personalise classroom experience, create cheat-resistant tests and other features. DPS Indirapuram hosted La Fiesta 2025, an annual inter-school Spanish Language Festival. Thirteen schools from Delhi NCR participated. The Department of General Medicine from Sharda University's School of Medicine Science and Research organised a seminar on World Hepatitis Day, to increase awareness about the disease and to educate participants about lifestyle changes. Hindustan International School, Chennai, hosted the second edition of INNOWIZ 2.5, its inter-school fest. Students from 12 schools participated in 21 events. Lt. Gen. Michael A.J. Fernandez, Commandant, Officers Training Academy, Chennai, was the chief guest. Western Sydney University has received approval from the University Grants Commission to establish a foreign branch campus in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. It will offer UG and PG programmes in Business, Innovation and Entrepreneurship from August 2026. AI CERTs launched Mission AI-Saksham to collaborate with higher education institutions to offer free access to its industry-aligned certification programmes and bridge the AI skills gap in India. ODM Educational Group held its annual Knowledge Krawl Fest for four of its campuses. Students participated in a range of activities such as STEM demos, dramatisations, innovation expos, and AI workshops. KLH Global Business School, Hyderabad, hosted a HR Conclave on the theme Shaping Future Talent: HR Leadership in a Changing World. Speakers included Ramesh Kaza, State Street; Emmanuel Gosula, EPAM; Avinash Kumar, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, and others. Prayoga Institute of Education Research hosted the inaugural International Geosciences Youth Movement (IGYM) Workshop for 15 high-school international finalists from the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) and 15 Indian students, who explored Earth System processes and developed youth-led action plans to promote Earth Systems Education (ESE). Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA) has released findings from two nationwide surveys exploring how AI tools are being used in Indian classrooms. Key findings are: over 70% of teachers have already integrated AI tools into their teaching practices; teachers with over three years of experience showed even higher adoption rates, with nearly 75% reporting active use of AI resources. IIM Lucknow celebrated its 41st foundation day. Neha Prakash, Director, Training and Employment, Government of Uttar Pradesh, was the chief guest. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Philippines, has announced that the Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) programmes from that country now meet all regulatory requirements of the National Medical Commission of India and that Indian students graduating from CHED-recognised medical institutions are eligible to appear for India's Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE) and the National Exit Test (NexT). Maya Academy of Advanced Creativity (MAAC) hosted Sandeep Kamalasanan, Creative Director at Mihira Visual Labs, for a masterclass on Building Invisible VFX for Complementing a Story, as part of its Behind the Screens initiative. The Asian School of Business, in partnership with the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, will launch a 10-day international immersion programme for its students to learn about how stories become scalable businesses, how marketing, production, and distribution work behind the scenes, and more. Smiling Tree partnered with Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology for a plantation drive, Nearly 500 saplings were planted on the campus. Orientations and convocations RV University welcomed 2,000 students across its various programmes. M.R. Jayaram, Chancellor, MS Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, was the chief guest. Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology, a constituent college of Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation Deemed-to-be University) hosted an inauguration programme for the new batch of Engineering students . V. Udaya Sankar, Director at NASSCOM, was the chief guest. Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies hosted its Deeksharambh orientation programme for new students across disciplines. Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, addressed the students in a special session. CMR University hosted an orientation ceremony for over 1,100 students across its different schools. B.A. Patil, former Judge of the High Court of Karnataka, was the chief guest. Gullas College of Medicine, Philippines, hosted a convocation for 733 graduates, which also included students from India. Harsh Kumar Jain, Ambassador of India to the Philippines, was the guest of honour. GITAM Deemed-to-be University, Bengaluru, hosted a convocation for 1,310 students. Seema Chopra, Executive Director and Senior Technical Fellow in Artificial Intelligence at Boeing, was the chief guest. IIHMR Bangalore held its 14th convocation for the PGDM batch of 2023–25. Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director and Senior Professor, NIMHANS, was the chief guest. IIITDM Kancheepuram held its 13th convocation in which 400 students received their degrees. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, was the chief guest. Awards Six Indian nationals were among the first recipients of the International Academic Excellence Scholarship, a new University of Otago scholarship for offshore international students. Four Class 8 and 9 students of Ryan International Academy underwent a 15-day internship with Helen O' Grady International to get behind-the-scenes tours of big-scale theatre productions. Sat Paul Mittal School, Ludhiana, scored 543 in Maths; 537 in Science, and 516 in Reading in the PISA-based Test for Schools (PBTS) conducted by the OECD Paris, which measures of student learning outcomes globally. Prof. (Dr.) T. R. Subramanya, Dean, School of Legal Studies at CMR University, received the Advocate General Sri S.G. Sundaraswamy Centenary Award, for his contribution to legal education. Anshul Kumar Thakur and Chaitanya Prabhakar from Ramjas College, Delhi University, were declared winners of the first edition of HDFC ERGO's Insurance Quiz Senior. Arjun Gautam and Ishaan Semwal from BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa Campus came second and Ayush Agarwal and Toshit Pradeep Kumar from The LNM IIT were in third place. Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Chennai, won the Covasant AI Hackathon 2025 for its project on AI Agent Testing, designed to evaluate AI agents through stress testing, safety checks, and cost diagnostics. Tiana Dalal from Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Mumbai; Hansika Mahbubani from The Shri Ram School, Moulsari, Delhi; Saanvi Khetan from The International School, Bengaluru, and Mohnish Bhadra from Dubai International Academy, Dubai, won CaseQuest, hosted by BITS School of Management (BITSoM), in collaboration with CreatED, for high school students to develop no-code application solutions for fashion brand Nicobar. More than 20 students from JD School of Design and JD Institute of Fashion Technology won across various categories at the JD Design Awards 2025. A new category — Digital Design Experience — was announced for the 2026 edition of the awards. Collaborations UST has signed an MoU with BITS Pilani to drive R and D, prototyping, product innovation, and student skill development, and to offer structured internships for final and pre-final-year students. Cambridge University Press and Assessment has signed an MoU with Panjab University, Chandigarh, to launch a collaborative English language programme under the Cambridge English Education Partner initiative. The Department of Management (DoM), Aarupadai Veedu Institute of Technology, signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Development Centre for Logistics, to enhance industry-academic collaboration. Avanse Financial Services has partnered with Amazon Web Services, Inc.(AWS) to make quality, industry-relevant technology education accessible to a wider student base, regardless of financial background. Xavier University School of Medicine, Aruba, and KLE University India have partnered to launch an international medical programme that allows students to begin their medical journey at KLE University's Belgaum campus and continue their preclinical sciences education at XUSOM and complete clinical rotations at Xavier's affiliated and accredited teaching hospitals across the U.S. Koescore has partnered with Vision Civil Services, Noida, to integrate an AI-powered digital ecosystem including advanced assessment tools, performance analytics, learning management solutions, among others. Samsung has signed an MoU with Startup India, an initiative of the Government of India, to empower young innovators from remote corners of India and strengthen the country's startup ecosystem with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow.
India Today
28-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
IndiaSkill competition 2025 registrations open for 63 skills, apply by September 30
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched the IndiaSkills Competition 2025, inviting youths from across the country to demonstrate their skill and ambition on a national competition 2025, India's biggest platform for celebrating vocational excellence, is now open for registrations with the deadline of September competition features 63 skill categories and is open to Indian nationals from all 36 states and Union Territories. Participants can register through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal. The last date for registration is September 30, IndiaSkills is a biennial event that aims to identify and reward the most talented youth, preparing them for international skill events such as the WorldSkills Competition offers participants an opportunity to be recognised, trained and mentored for global platforms that value skilled work and vocational SELECTION PROCESSThe competition is open to individuals aged between 16 and 25 general, applicants must be born on or after January 1, 2004. However, for advanced technology-based skills like Cyber Security, Mechatronics, and Aircraft Maintenance, the age cut-off is January 1, participant may apply for only one skill. The competition follows a two-track I will include State-level contests run by State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs), while Track II will be conducted by Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) for skills not chosen by states or FINALS AND GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIESWinners from both tracks will advance to Regional Skill Competitions (RSCs), which will be held across five zones -- North, South, East, West and regional rounds will be followed by training boot camps and the IndiaSkills National Competition, centrally organised by performers at the national level will receive expert mentoring and training. They will then represent India at the WorldSkills Competition 2026, the world's largest vocational skills event covering over 60 link to apply for the IndiaSkills competition 2025For more details about the IndiaSkills competition 2025 by MSDE, visit the official portal at Ends
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Women empowerment stories signal shift in skilling landscape
New Delhi: Puja Kumari from a village near Bokaro, Ishrat from a conservative Delhi household, Simran Pandey from the capital's working-class lanes, and Sakshi from Jharkhand's tribal heartland are part of a quiet but distinct shift in India's skilling landscape. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now And this change is being facilitated by Skill Impact Bond (SIB), India's first outcome-based skilling initiative. Launched in 2021 by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the SIB aims to train 50,000 youth, with at least 30,150 retained in jobs for a minimum of three months. So far, over 23,700 youth have been trained—72% of them women—across 30 job roles in 13 sectors, working with 700+ employers. Of these, 75% have secured jobs and 60% have retained employment for over three months—well above national averages. As India approaches its demographic peak and eyes a $30-trillion economy by 2047, initiatives like SIB offer a roadmap—targeted training, outcome-focused models, and sustained post-placement support. Backed by CIFF, JSW Foundation, HSBC India, and Dubai Cares, the public-private partnership is becoming a scalable model for women-led growth. Puja, 26, trained as a CNC operator through the Pan IIT Gurukul and moved to Chennai to work with IM Gears, becoming the sole breadwinner for her family. Ishrat, 18, secretly began working in Noida in a data-entry role while pursuing a BA through Delhi University's School of Open Learning. Simran, 21, joined an IT training programme and now works as a customer care executive in Delhi, saving to realise her goal of becoming an air hostess. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sakshi, 23, a school dropout from the Malto tribal community, enrolled in Pan IIT's apparel programme in Bengaluru and now earns Rs 15,000 a month, supporting her siblings' education. Their journeys reflect a fragile but significant transformation among young women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Many are first-generation formal workers, navigating rigid social norms, migration, and financial strain to pursue aspirational livelihoods. Jharkhand leads enrolment figures with 26% of trainees, followed by Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. But the broader skilling landscape remains challenging still: only 4% of India's workforce is formally skilled, and nearly 30% of trained individuals are without paid work. For women, retention is especially challenging for those who have availed traditional schemes. While 84% of those enrolled under such schemes complete certification, fewer than 10% stay in jobs beyond three months. The SIB attempts to reverse this by tying funding not to enrolment or certification, but to actual job placement and retention. Training providers are incentivised to focus on outcomes through onboarding support, counselling, and alumni follow-up. "Till we come out of our comfort zone, we can't achieve anything," says Ishrat, who still hasn't told her father she works. "At first, I wasn't sure I could manage the machines or being away from home," says Puja, now a trainer. "Now I want girls in my village to see what's possible." Sakshi's transformation from a dropout to a salaried worker supporting her family shows what can be achieved with effort.
