Newsbytes on Skill Development and Education

This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlights India’s continued efforts to strengthen skill development, vocational education and employability across sectors. From the expansion of PM-SETU and DDU-GKY to new initiatives supporting women’s livelihoods, the focus remains on creating industry-aligned and future-ready learning opportunities. States are accelerating reforms in ITIs, introducing emerging technology labs, vocational courses and apprenticeship-linked degree programmes, while also expanding skill training into areas such as AI, logistics, digital learning and sustainable livelihoods. At the national level, India is strengthening its presence on the global skills stage through participation in new WorldSkills categories. Industry and academic partnerships are also gaining momentum, with initiatives aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment.

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

Apprenticeships

Nuclear Fuel Complex invites applications for 432 ITI Trade Apprentice posts for 2026-27. Last date to apply is 16 September, 2026. Click here to apply!

NFC has invited applications for 432 ITI Trade Apprentice posts for 2026-27. The last date to apply is 16 September 2026. Click here to apply!

Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes

The Ministry of Rural Development held a national workshop to review and facilitate the formal closure of DDU-GKY 1.0 projects after completion of documentation.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred National Awards on teachers, highlighting their role in reducing school dropouts and nurturing students’ intellectual, physical and moral development.
Team Skill India will compete in 63 skills at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, including 11 new categories, expanding India’s global presence in advanced and emerging skills. Read More

National skill development updates

PM-SETU approves ₹735.70 crore for ITI clusters in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Telangana, taking total sanctioned investment to ₹2,171 crore across nine clusters.
MSDE launches ‘Skill Manthan’ to showcase district-led initiatives supporting women’s livelihoods through skilling, entrepreneurship, finance, technology and market access.

State-led Skill Initiatives

Odisha signs MoUs to strengthen skill development, employability and digital learning, launching AI-focused programmes for students and faculty across higher education institutions.
ADB’s Special Review Mission reviewed Assam Skills University’s progress, recommending its development as a capacity multiplier connecting ITIs, institutions and industry.
Rajasthan becomes the first state to sign a tripartite PM-SETU Shareholders’ Agreement, advancing plans to modernise its ITI ecosystem through industry-led partnerships.
ICAR-CIFRI trained 18 Uttarakhand farmers in ornamental fisheries management, promoting rural entrepreneurship, livelihood diversification and technology-driven income opportunities across the fisheries value chain.
Chhattisgarh approves ₹500-crore NIPUN Mission to integrate startups, emerging technology, skill development and employment, with entrepreneurship centres and 100 technology labs across the state.
CHSE Odisha approves two new vocational courses for Plus-II students, expanding skill-based education and creating more industry-relevant learning opportunities.
Nagaland opens a logistics training centre designed to skill 400 youth annually, strengthening employment opportunities and industry-ready capabilities in the logistics sector.
Jammu and Kashmir plans to transform ITIs into industry-ready skill hubs under PM-SETU, modernising infrastructure, introducing future-focused courses and strengthening industry linkages.
Madhya Pradesh holds an IndiaSkills 2026-28 awareness workshop at a Government ITI, encouraging youth participation and explaining competition stages, registration and opportunities.
Himachal Pradesh will introduce apprenticeship-linked degree programmes in 16 colleges, combining classroom education with industry experience to strengthen employability and practical skills.
Around 3,000 students from Uttar Pradesh’s Sarvodaya schools will receive skill training, expanding vocational education and improving employability through industry-relevant programmes.
EDNXT Bhopal 2026 panel explores bridging the degree-skills gap through industry exposure, internships, technology, entrepreneurship and multidisciplinary learning to boost graduate employability.
Gujarat introduces a uniform assistance scheme for ITI students, supporting skill development and helping youth access global-standard training and employment opportunities.
Haryana will introduce a 10-day bagless learning programme, giving students opportunities for hands-on vocational exposure, practical learning and workplace-oriented skills.

Industry Partnerships for Employability

Dell Technologies launches uDaan to skill 23,000 youth across 190 institutions in AI, cloud computing and electronics manufacturing, creating industry-aligned career pathways.
LSC and DTNBWED partner to upskill 15,400 logistics workers and youth nationwide, offering industry-aligned training across key supply chain and logistics roles.

Higher Education and Emerging Skills

CISCE introduces competency-focused practice questions for ICSE and ISC students, strengthening skill development, practical learning and application-based assessment.
NIELIT partners with Saylor University, USA to integrate global self-paced courses into NIELIT Digital University, expanding learners’ access to quality digital learning resources.

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.