Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on Skill Development and Education – 21st July 2026

This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlight India’s continued momentum in building a future-ready skills ecosystem through policy reforms, industry collaboration and innovation. Marking World Youth Skills Day 2026, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched the IndiaSkills Competition 2026-27 and the WorldSkills India Champions Club, while several states introduced initiatives to modernise ITIs, strengthen vocational education and expand employability pathways.

Industry and CSR-led programmes by organisations such as Tata Motors, Honeywell, HDFC Bank and Vedanta are accelerating workforce readiness through skilling, STEM education and livelihood initiatives. Key developments also include international collaborations in TVET quality assurance, apprenticeship expansion in the North-East, industry-academia partnerships, and new opportunities in higher education and technology-driven learning, reinforcing India’s commitment to creating a globally competitive and skilled workforce. 

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!
• HPCL has invited applications for its All India Marketing Apprenticeship 2026, offering hands-on industry training for graduates and diploma holders. Last date to apply: 31 July 2026.  Click here to Apply!

Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes 

• On World Youth Skills Day 2026, MSDE launched the IndiaSkills Competition 2026–27 and WorldSkills India Champions Club to strengthen excellence, mentorship and industry-ready skills. 
• NTPC Bongaigaon partnered with Zankla Foundation to launch Project SRIJAN, promoting sustainable livelihoods and preserving indigenous crafts through eco-friendly toy making and embroidery training.
• Goa will recognise Class 10 plus a two-year ITI qualification as equivalent to Class 12, strengthening pathways for higher education and employment opportunities. 

National skill development updates

• CSIR and IP Australia signed an agreement that provides access to India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library, strengthens patent examination, and protects documented traditional knowledge from misappropriation. 
• Hindusthan College of Arts and Science honoured students at the MSME Training Completion and Academic Excellence Awards 2026, recognising MSME-certified skill training and outstanding academic achievements. 
• NABARD and NSDC launched Gramodyam, a nationwide initiative to equip aspiring rural entrepreneurs with skill development, mentorship, financial support and market access opportunities. 
• NCVET and Australia’s ASQA signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen cooperation in TVET quality assurance, promote globally benchmarked vocational education, and foster institutional collaboration.
• MSDE extended the PM-NAPS apprenticeship initiative across the North-East, targeting 30,000 apprentices in FY 2026–27 with a ₹57.58 crore investment to boost youth employability. 

State initiatives driving skilling and innovation

• GVMC’s STEP-UP initiative is providing municipal school students with real-world exposure through institutional visits, strengthening functional literacy, career awareness and practical learning beyond classrooms. 
• Tamil Nadu launched a ₹1,440-crore PM-SETU project to modernise 30 government ITIs through industry-led partnerships, creating centres of excellence for future-ready skilled workforce development.
• Government PU College, Sullia will launch a state-of-the-art automobile laboratory under NSQF, strengthening vocational education and industry-relevant skills for school students.
• Uttar Pradesh is strengthening workforce development through skill training, worker welfare and formal employment while supporting MSMEs, traditional industries and artisans to boost industrial competitiveness.
• TGCHE introduced new-age undergraduate programmes aligned with NEP 2020, preparing students for emerging careers in aviation, agriculture, cybersecurity, healthcare, tourism and entrepreneurship.
• On World Youth Skills Day 2026, Chandigarh’s skill institutes highlighted efforts to bridge AI-driven training gaps through internships, industry engagement and emerging technology-focused learning. 
• Uttar Pradesh launched two digital initiatives on World Youth Skills Day 2026, advancing transparent, technology-driven skill development and strengthening youth employability across the state. 
• HG Infra secured a ₹241-crore Rajasthan Government project under the PM-SETU scheme to modernise ITIs in the Bhiwadi cluster through a public-private partnership.
• ITI Siang conducted a six-day hospitality and homestay management course, equipping participants with practical skills in tourism, guest services, safety, digital marketing and sustainable hospitality. 
• Over 100 Maharashtra ITIs and skill development trades await inclusion in the Centre’s apprenticeship system, limiting industry training, stipends and nationally recognised certification for students.
• Goa introduced dual-training programmes in Fire Technology and Industrial Safety Management at two government ITIs, combining classroom learning with hands-on training alongside fire service professionals. 
• Haryana felicitated five top-ranked government ITIs, appointed 60 new principals and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen vocational education and industry-ready skilling under PM-SETU.

Industry partnerships and workforce readiness

• Tata Motors announced its Kaushalya Programme has trained over 23,000 youth, achieving 100% placements and advancing industry-ready manufacturing skills.
• The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) has trained over five lakh learners, strengthening India’s automotive workforce to meet growing demand for skilled talent across the sector.
• Honda India Foundation and Gujarat Police launched a Road Safety Centre of Excellence in Gujarat to strengthen road safety education, benefiting around 5,000 people annually. 

CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods

• Honeywell Technologies launched its first STEM school transformation programme under the Saksham initiative, aiming to equip over 12,000 girls with future-ready skills by 2029.
• Marking World Youth Skills Day 2026, HDFC Bank Parivartan, the CSR initiative of HDFC Bank, announced that its skill development and livelihood programmes have positively impacted 9.6 lakh individuals since inception.  
• Vedanta Oil and Gas reached over 33,000 youth through industry-oriented skill development programmes, strengthening employability and livelihood opportunities across its operational regions.
• ICAR hosted its first CSR Conclave 2026, showcasing agriculture technologies and promoting industry partnerships to advance sustainable farming, agricultural skilling and rural development. 

Higher education, technology and digital skills 

• The Indian Institute of Internship facilitated over 50,000 internships in six months, strengthening industry-oriented learning and bridging the gap between academics and workplace skills. 
• JNTU-GV and Nirman Organisation signed an MoU to strengthen industry-academia collaboration through skill development, internships, entrepreneurship, innovation, and employability-focused training programmes.
• Vijaybhoomi University and NTTF launched a work-integrated Mechatronics education pathway, enabling manufacturing professionals to earn university-recognised qualifications while advancing their careers. 

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.

We compile and adapt these new snippets from various sources. If any source has objections or other concerns, please write to us at contact@nationalskillsnetwork.in, providing valid reasons, and we will remove the link to your content.