How Ready is India’s Skills Ecosystem?

NSN Skills Ecosystem Checklist

An NSN self-assessment inspired by the BRICS New Delhi Declaration

The BRICS New Delhi Declaration places renewed emphasis on skill development, TVET, industry linkages, workforce preparedness, digital literacy, emerging technologies, qualifications, mobility and institutional cooperation.

India has been working on many of these areas for years through policies, programmes and institutional initiatives.

So the question is not simply whether these initiatives exist. The more important question is how well they are connected, implemented and translated into outcomes.

This short NSN Skills Ecosystem Checklist invites you to share your perspective on where India’s skills ecosystem stands today.

There are no right or wrong answers. We are interested in your experience and judgement.

SECTION 1 — About you

Your Full Name *

Your Mobile Number

Organisation

Occupation

City *

1. Which best describes your primary role?
Policymaker / GovernmentEducation / Higher EducationTVET / Vocational EducationSkill Development / TrainingIndustry / EmployerSector / Industry AssociationNGO / Development OrganisationResearch / AcademiaStudent / LearnerOther

2. How closely are you involved with skills, education, training or workforce development?
Very closelyCloselySomewhatIndirectlyNot directly involved

3. Which geographical level do you primarily work at?
NationalStateRegional / DistrictInstitutionalInternationalMultiple levels

SECTION 2 — The 8-point Skills Ecosystem Checklist

4. Connection - How well connected are India’s various skills initiatives, institutions and programmes?
Consider whether different ministries, departments, institutions, industry bodies and programmes share information and work towards complementary rather than overlapping objectives.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

5. Alignment - How effectively are education and training responding to changing labour-market and occupational requirements?
Consider how effectively labour-market information, employer feedback and emerging skill requirements influence programme and curriculum decisions.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

6. Industry Participation - How meaningfully is industry involved in India’s skills ecosystem?
Think beyond consultations and MoUs. Consider industry participation in curriculum design, training, workplace learning, equipment, assessment and employment.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

7. Integration - How effectively are occupational, human and digital capabilities being developed together?
Consider communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability and digital capabilities alongside occupational competence, rather than as separate add-on skills.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

8. Capacity - Do institutions, teachers and trainers have the capacity to deliver what current skills policies and programmes expect?

Consider faculty capability, industry exposure, infrastructure, equipment, technology, learning resources and institutional flexibility.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

9. Mobility - How easily can learners move between education, training, employment and further learning?
Consider recognition of prior learning, progression pathways, portability of qualifications and opportunities for academic and professional mobility.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

10. Outcomes - How effectively does India’s skills ecosystem measure outcomes beyond enrolment, completion and certification?
Consider employment, retention, career progression, wages, further learning, entrepreneurship, productivity and employer satisfaction.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

11. Accountability & Learning - How effectively are responsibilities, outcomes and learning from implementation managed across the skills ecosystem?
Consider whether responsibilities are clear, outcomes are tracked, successful practices are identified and evidence is used to improve policies and programmes.
StrongDevelopingNeeds attentionNot sure

SECTION 3 — What matters most?

12. Which ONE of the eight areas requires the greatest attention in India?
Please select only one.

ConnectionAlignmentIndustry ParticipationIntegrationCapacityMobilityOutcomesAccountability & Learning

13. In your view, what is the single change that could make the biggest difference to India’s skills ecosystem?

14. Is there an initiative, institution or practice in India that you believe is already doing something particularly well in one of these areas? (Optional)