Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on Skill Development and Education – 7th April 2026

This week’s NSN Newsbytes capture key developments from the launch of AI and computational thinking in school education and rising demand for digital skills, to large-scale government programmes, global partnerships, and grassroots training efforts. With initiatives like Skill India Digital Hub 2.0, IndiaSkills Competition, and expanded internship and entrepreneurship programmes, both central and state governments are accelerating impact. 

Simultaneously, industry and CSR-led collaborations are enhancing job readiness, inclusion, and livelihoods, reflecting a strong, multi-stakeholder push toward innovation, employability, and sustainable skill development nationwide.

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

Tata STRIVE Job Openings – AI-driven job roles in the ITI ecosystem

Tata STRIVE, an initiative of the Tata Community Initiatives Trust (TCIT), is inviting applications for multiple roles supporting AI-enabled skilling initiatives across Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in India. These roles are part of a nationwide effort to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into non-IT vocational trades such as Electrical, Mechanical, Automotive, and Fashion Technology. Interested candidates can apply and submit their resume here. Click here!

India – Australia Toolkit to Strengthen Applied Learning in Secondary Schools

A new Toolkit developed by the Australia India Institute and partner institutions will help Indian secondary schools integrate applied learning into mainstream education. Aligned with NEP 2020, it offers practical resources for curriculum design, pedagogy, assessment, and industry partnerships, thereby strengthening India-Australia education collaboration. Download the Toolkit here!

Apprenticeship opportunities – Apply Now!

• South Central Railway has invited applications for 2,801 apprentice posts across technical trades under the Apprentices Act. Online applications are open from March 12, 2026. The last date to apply is April 11, 2026. Click here to Apply!

Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes 

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched CBSE’s Computational Thinking and AI curriculum for Classes III-VIII, aimed at strengthening early digital skills and future-ready learning across schools. Read more…
• A NIIT report highlights rising demand for AI, cybersecurity and digital skills, revealing talent gaps among mid-career professionals, increased investment in training, and a growing focus on reskilling across industries.
• India and KOICA signed an implementation plan to boost shipbuilding skills, focusing on workforce mapping, skill gap assessment and developing a roadmap to strengthen India’s maritime sector under Vision 2047.

Government-led programmes strengthening India’s skilling ecosystem

• The Prime Minister Internship Scheme Round III pilot extension brochure was launched in Telangana, aiming to expand internship opportunities and strengthen industry exposure for youth through collaboration between the government and institutions.
• Skill India Digital Hub 2.0 launches with AI chatbot support, e-Shram integration, multilingual access, verifiable credentials, and seamless job connections, enhancing opportunities for over 1.5 crore users nationwide.
• The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) signed an MoU with UltraTech Cement to deliver nationwide training and certification programmes, enhancing the skills of construction professionals and workers through workshops, seminars and practical exposure over the next 3-5 years.
• The Information and Broadcasting Ministry, with Google and YouTube, launched an AI-skilling initiative offering 15,000 scholarships to train young creators and media professionals in AI-driven content creation.
• The MSME Ministry’s ESDP trained over 18 lakh participants through 39,000+ programmes since FY21, promoting entrepreneurship, self-employment and livelihood diversification among youth, including women and SC/ST communities.
• IndiaSkills National Competition 2025-26 began in Greater Noida, bringing 650+ youth to compete across 63 skill categories, showcasing top talent and advancing India’s vision of a future-ready workforce.
• CBSE will introduce a mandatory third language from Class 6 under the 2026-27 curriculum, aligning with NEP 2020 and paving the way for its inclusion in Class 10 board exams by 2031.
• A two-day capacity-building programme for primary-level Nepali teachers began in Soreng district, training 97 educators to adopt innovative, child-centred teaching methods and strengthen language education.
• NCB and Delhi Technological University signed an MoU to boost research, skill development and training in cement and concrete technologies, strengthening collaboration between academia and India’s construction industry.
• NCERT has been granted deemed-to-be university status under the De Novo category, enabling it to award degrees and expand academic and research capabilities across its constituent institutions.
• A CAG report flagged gaps in MeitY skill initiatives, citing duplicate registrations, low placements, data mismatches and poor enrolment in Future Skills Prime due to limited industry recognition.
• SIDH integrates with e-Shram to expand skilling access, while its AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot SIA offers personalised course recommendations, job support and multilingual assistance for users nationwide.

State governments driving skills and innovation

• Uttar Pradesh integrates AI into Project Praveen, making a four-hour ‘AI for All’ course mandatory for Classes 9-12 and trainers from 2026-27, advancing tech-driven school education.
• Delhi hosted its first Industry-Academia Conclave under Skill Connect 2026, bringing together students, educators, and industry leaders to strengthen collaboration and promote job-oriented, skill-based education.
• Manipur CM Shri N. Biren Singh reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening higher education and skill development, highlighting collaboration with institutions like Manipur University to expand opportunities for youth.
• Rajasthan will establish a ₹450 crore world-class Skill Hub under Budget 2026-27, alongside new training initiatives and centres to expand skilling, employment and rural access across the state.
• The Women Entrepreneurs Network Nagaland (WENN) organised a two-day workshop in Nagaland, training 40 women in banana fibre crafts and jewellery making, promoting sustainable livelihoods, creativity and entrepreneurship with support from the state government.
• Himachal Pradesh will introduce horticulture as a vocational subject for Classes XI-XII, strengthening skill-based education, while highlighting the state’s achievement of a 99.3% literacy rate.
• Three ITI students from Tripura are representing the state at IndiaSkills 2025-26 in Greater Noida, competing in ICT Network Infrastructure and Electrical Installation, showcasing regional talent at the national stage.

Industry collaborations boosting job-ready talent

• Tata Power inaugurated a new TPSDI training centre in Prayagraj, in partnership with ICICI Foundation, to equip youth and women with industry-relevant skills in the power and renewable energy sectors.
• BPCL signed an LoI with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and SDI Kochi to launch targeted skill training programmes, enhancing employability, entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods for tribal youth.
• Samsung India partnered with Bal Raksha Bharat to train 200 women in Tamil Nadu through a 12-week tailoring programme, boosting livelihoods, certification and micro-entrepreneurship opportunities in the Sriperumbudur region.
• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) distributed 848 machines and toolkits to 340 artisans in Wardha under Gramodyog Vikas Yojana, promoting rural entrepreneurship, while awarding certificates to over 200 trained beneficiaries.

CSR initiatives supporting education and livelihoods

• Dalmia Bharat Foundation partnered with Lal PathLabs Foundation to launch DIKSHa Academy, establishing training centres in Karnataka and Jharkhand to equip youth with phlebotomy skills and healthcare job opportunities.
• UBUNTU Consortium partnered with Hitachi Rail to train over 1,000 women entrepreneurs in Karnataka in digital marketing, strengthening women-led enterprises and expanding market access through CSR-driven skilling initiatives.

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/

Emerging tech and industry partnerships in higher education

• Rungta International Skills University launched B.Sc. and B.Voc. programmes in CSR and Sustainability with IndiaCSR®, strengthening India’s responsible business ecosystem through industry-aligned education at its Bhilai campus.
• Medhavi Skills University signed an MoU with Nagaland Police to provide industry-aligned higher education opportunities for families of personnel, supporting long-term empowerment and access to quality learning in Dimapur.
• A CSIR-IIIM Srinagar programme trained participants in processing medicinal and aromatic plants, covering extraction, GC and HPLC techniques, boosting industry-relevant skills in natural product processing and quality analysis.

*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.