Newsbytes on Skill Development and Education

This week’s Newsbytes highlights India’s continued push to build a future-ready, industry-driven skilling ecosystem through major policy reforms, strategic investments, and collaborative partnerships. The Government approved the nationwide rollout of PM-SETU across 200 ITI clusters, while states accelerated initiatives in semiconductor manufacturing, Industry 4.0, AI, electric vehicles, startups, and vocational education.

Industry and academia strengthened workforce readiness through new collaborations in automotive manufacturing, healthcare, and green energy, alongside international partnerships with Italy and Japan. Universities expanded vocational education, digital learning, and research through new centres and academic collaborations, while institutions launched specialised programmes in emerging technologies and sustainable industries.

From modernising training infrastructure and empowering women to creating new employment pathways, this week’s developments reinforce India’s commitment to nurturing a skilled, innovation-driven workforce aligned with the needs of a rapidly evolving economy.

Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –

Apprenticeships

DRDO’s Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) has invited applications for 77 Graduate, Diploma and ITI Apprentice positions, offering one-year training in advanced defence technologies. Last date to apply: 22 July 2026. Click here to Apply!
Indian Overseas Bank has invited applications for 750 apprentice positions for 2026-27 under the Apprentices Act. Last date to apply: 20 July 2026. Click here to apply!

Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes

The Government approved the nationwide rollout of the PM-SETU scheme across 200 ITI clusters and ₹1,237 crore in investments to modernise industry-led skill training infrastructure.
Terumo India Skill Lab and AIIMS Patna launched the MASTR KAIZEN programme, providing simulation-based coronary intervention training to strengthen the skills of young cardiologists.
Italy expressed readiness to partner with India on vocational and language training, strengthening cooperation in nursing, healthcare, engineering, and skilled workforce mobility.

National skill development updates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted CG Semi’s Gujarat OSAT facility, showcasing tribal women ITI graduates whose skilled semiconductor careers reflect India’s growing future-ready manufacturing workforce.
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India has been named Anchor Industry Partner for the Surat ITI Cluster under PM-SETU, supporting ₹240.18 crore in industry-led vocational training upgrades.
NCVET convened the 50th NSQC meeting to strengthen industry-aligned skill qualifications, focusing on quality, emerging technologies, and workforce readiness under the national skilling ecosystem.
NMDC DAV ITI Bhansi earned the Directorate General of Training’s 5-Star Rating for 2026-27, recognising excellence in industry-aligned vocational training and skilled workforce development.
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs launched TribeX, a digital learning platform preserving tribal arts, culture, and traditional knowledge while promoting skill development and livelihood opportunities.
The Ministry of Textiles reviewed the transformation of Powerloom Service Centres into Integrated Textile and Apparel Development Centres, expanding skilling, technology adoption, entrepreneurship, and industry support.
MSDE, UGC, and the Department of Higher Education will form a joint committee to enable universities as NCVET Awarding Bodies, expanding recognised vocational qualifications and certifications.

State initiatives driving skilling and innovation

Andhra Pradesh CM Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated a ₹200-crore ABIS Proteins poultry processing plant and an MSME Park in Kuppam, creating around 1,400 jobs and boosting local industry.
Assam CM Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma reviewed skill development initiatives, interacted with Japanese language trainees under the CM Flight Scheme, and assessed employment-focused training programmes.
Odisha State Open University signed four MoUs with academic and industry partners and launched the Anveshan vocational centre to strengthen skilling, research, internships, and workforce development.
Gujarat will establish the ₹190-crore SAMARTH semiconductor research and training hub at IIT Gandhinagar, advancing advanced research, industry-focused training, and a future-ready semiconductor workforce.
Uttar Pradesh approved its Startup Policy 2026, promoting AI, robotics, and deep-tech innovation with enhanced funding to strengthen entrepreneurship and support its $1 trillion economy vision.
Andhra Pradesh is upgrading Ongole ITIs into skill hubs for electric vehicle and drone technologies, strengthening industry-ready training, apprenticeships, and future-focused employment opportunities.
Uttar Pradesh approved a ₹3,634-crore project to modernise 62 more government ITIs, expanding Industry 4.0 infrastructure, advanced training, and employability for over 12,500 students annually.
Telangana to organise an Apprenticeship-cum-Job Mela from 6-14 July 2026 across five junior colleges, offering on-the-spot interviews, career guidance, and apprenticeships with a ₹9,600 monthly stipend.
Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission made AI training and daily newspaper reading mandatory across skill centres, enhancing trainees’ digital, analytical, communication, and workplace readiness skills.
Telangana renamed its labour department as SHAKTI and brought the Young India Skills University, ITIs, and ATCs under a unified framework to strengthen skill development.
Uttarakhand and UNDP discussed expanding collaboration in skill development, employment, livelihoods, digitisation, and carbon credits to strengthen youth employability and sustainable development.
Odisha State Open University launched the Anveshan Centre for Advanced Vocational Growth and signed four MoUs to strengthen vocational education, digital learning, research, and industry collaboration.
Ladakh launched a three-day capacity-building programme under the Ladakh Skill Development Mission, equipping dairy farmers with modern livestock management and dairy production practices.
Arunachal Pradesh launched a short-term Basic Hospitality and Homestay Management course, equipping homestay owners, youth, and entrepreneurs with tourism and hospitality skills to boost livelihoods.

Industry partnerships and workforce readiness

NATRAX and NAMTECH partnered to advance automotive and advanced manufacturing skills through industry-focused training, research, and innovation in electric mobility, hydrogen, and smart manufacturing.
Suzuki Motor President Toshihiro Suzuki visited Maruti Suzuki’s skill development and road safety institutes, reaffirming the company’s commitment to vocational training, technical skills, and safer mobility.
Namo Gujarat Kaushalya and Rojgar Mission organised an Industry-Academia-Sector Skill Councils Outreach Programme in Ahmedabad, strengthening industry partnerships, MoUs, apprenticeships, and workforce development.

CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods

CSIR-NCL Pune inaugurated a modernised Skill Development Centre with advanced training infrastructure, strengthening industry-relevant technical skilling under CSIR’s Integrated Skill Initiative through CSR support.

Higher education, technology and digital skills

NSTI(W) Noida has invited applications for 2026-27 NCVET-approved CTS programmes in AI, drones, semiconductors, fashion and more, empowering women with industry-aligned, future-ready skills.
Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU) launched an Indo-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy, equipping women with certified solar skills to strengthen India’s green energy workforce.
Assam Skill University launched the Japanese Language Teacher Development Programme with The Japan Foundation and IJBC, strengthening language education, India-Japan collaboration, and global employment opportunities.

To know more, check out the latest updates on CSR and ESG initiatives that are creating a meaningful impact in skill development and education here: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/csr-and-esg-in-skill-education/

*IMPORTANT:

The Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education from NSN are curated and adapted from various sources with the sole objective of keeping our readers updated about the evolving skills industry in India.