The National Consultation under Samagra Shiksha at PSSCIVE marked an important milestone in strengthening vocational education in schools and advancing the integration of skill development into mainstream education. Held on 5–6 February 2026 at the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE), a constituent unit of National Council of Educational Research and Training, the meeting brought together policymakers, State education leaders, Sector Skill Councils, and industry representatives to review implementation progress in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
Deliberations focused on early exposure to skills through Bagless Days and experiential learning for Grades 6–8, alongside structured vocational courses for Grades 9–12. Several States presented best practices in internships, on-the-job training, industry collaboration, digital monitoring systems, and regional language curricula designed to improve employability outcomes and strengthen school-to-work transitions.
The consultation emphasized the need for continuous teacher upskilling, deeper industry linkages, robust career guidance mechanisms, and systematic documentation of innovative models for scalability. Inclusive strategies also formed a key part of the discussions, with special attention to increasing girls’ participation, expanding outreach in rural and tribal regions, and strengthening vocational training opportunities for Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
The highlights from the national consultation reaffirmed vocational education as a central pillar for youth readiness, improved school retention, and long-term workforce development in India.
Key Highlights from the National Consultation under Samagra Shiksha at PSSCIVE
The two-day consultation was structured through plenary discussions, thematic presentations, panel deliberations, and parallel state-level sessions that examined implementation progress across stages of schooling.
Day 1 – Policy deliberations and state presentations
Day 1 began with the Inaugural Session, followed by Plenary Session I, which presented an overview of the vocationalisation framework under Samagra Shiksha and the role of PSSCIVE in strengthening implementation mechanisms.
A Video Presentation on Skill Education in Schools showcased the implementation of 10 Bagless Days, experiential learning approaches, entrepreneurship camps, and teacher training initiatives.
This was followed by Panel Discussion I – “Policies to Practices in Skill Education”, which examined the translation of national and state policies into school-level practice, highlighting implementation challenges and possible solutions.
The Parallel Sessions – Round I (Grades 6–8) and Round II (Grades 9–12) enabled States and UTs to present progress and innovations. The sessions also focused on:
- Implementation of Bagless Days and Kaushal Bodh
- Early skill exposure and experiential learning models
- Present status of vocational subjects and new job roles
- Curriculum development and regional language textbooks
- Skill gap studies and state-specific demand mapping
- Role of Sector Skill Councils and industry partnerships
- Career guidance and entrepreneurship education
- Teacher qualification, training, and capacity building
- Internships, OJT, apprenticeships, placements, and Kaushal Melas
The day concluded with an Interaction Session on Skill Education (Q&A) and a cultural programme.
Day 2 – Best practices, career guidance tools
Day 2 opened with Best Practices Plenary – Part I (Grades 6–8), where selected States presented successful models of experiential learning, Bagless Days implementation, and teacher engagement initiatives.
One of the most important highlights of the consultation was the Technical Plenary III – Career Guidance Tools, which included the presentation and demonstration of: My Career Advisor App
These tools aim to support structured career planning, skill mapping, and informed decision-making for students across school stages.
The Best Practices Plenary – Part II (Grades 9–12) further showcased innovative initiatives, industry collaborations, and internship frameworks implemented by States.
The consultation then moved into Panel Discussion II – Strategic Planning and Way Forward, followed by Recommendations, Action Points and Way Forward, where key learnings were consolidated into actionable strategies for States and schools.
Dr. Madhuri Dubey, Founder and Director of National Skills Network (NSN), attended the National Consultation at PSSCIVE, NCERT Bhopal, and participated in the plenary and interaction sessions, contributing insights on implementation challenges and industry integration in school-level vocational education.
The event concluded with another significant development during the consultation was the launch of the Reference Training Material on Careers in Vocational Education and Entrepreneurship Developments for School Counsellors, designed to strengthen structured career counselling, enhance awareness of vocational pathways, and support entrepreneurship orientation within schools.
