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
Being a part of the meeting at PSSCIVE (NCERT) Bhopal, and sharing insights and suggestions, I got to learn about many challenges in implementing the reforms in the complex and rigid systems at the school level.
At the same time, the presentations by government officials from various states and UTs demonstrated their achievements at various levels and how few states need to fast-track their readiness measures toward applied learning, especially in high and higher secondary schools. The meeting focused on:
Discussion on progress of vocational education in various states and UTs, and exploring opportunities to deepen industry engagement internship, and apprenticeship
Implementation of 10 bag less days, best practices that promote experiential learning and meaningful skill exposure
Skill education at the middle stage From grade 6 to 8 across states and union territories with an emphasis on strengthening curricular and instructional resources for early age, appropriate exposure
Innovation and sustainability in skill education efforts for building innovative mindset of the students
Hub and spoke model of education for training and capacity building
Transformation through digital learning platforms and progress of exploring digital teaching learning processes
Addressing critical aspects of vertical and horizontal mobility in higher education system
Career guidance and counselling as per existing and futuristic job roles
I’m so glad to see many positive developments, having closely observed and the school landscape for over 11 years through our efforts at NSN and the vast network of professionals featured on our platform
The National Consultation Meeting on Vocationalisation of Education in Schools under Samagra Shiksha, held on 5–6 February 2026 at PSSCIVE, NCERT, Bhopal, highlighted India’s growing commitment to integrating skill education within mainstream schooling. Policymakers, State education leaders, Sector Skill Councils, and industry partners reviewed progress aligned with NEP 2020 and the National Skills Qualifications Framework. Discussions emphasized early skill exposure through Bagless Days and experiential learning for Grades 6–8, alongside structured vocational courses for Grades 9–12. States shared best practices in internships, on-the-job training, industry collaboration, digital monitoring, and regional language curricula to enhance employability outcomes. Leaders reinforced the need for continuous teacher upskilling, stronger industry linkages, career guidance tools, and systematic documentation of innovations. The consultation reaffirmed vocational education as a key driver of youth readiness, school retention, and India’s future workforce development. The consultation also highlighted inclusive approaches, with initiatives focused on girls’ participation, rural and tribal outreach, and vocational training for Children with Special Needs (CWSN).
