Weekly Newsbytes on Skills and Education

This week’s NSN Newsbytes reflect a strong policy push combined with on-ground execution, ranging from large-scale vocational reforms and international collaborations to targeted CSR interventions and innovation-led academic initiatives.

At the national level, strategic moves such as MSDE’s partnership with the World Economic Forum and the launch of regional IndiaSkills competitions underscore a shift towards outcome-driven, industry-aligned Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). States are accelerating reforms by embedding vocational education in school curricula, upgrading ITIs, introducing NEP-aligned textbooks, and expanding construction and apprenticeship skilling to meet local labour demand.

Industry and academia are playing a pivotal role through Centres of Excellence, gaming and interactive media skilling, advanced engineering training, and cybersecurity labs, ensuring learners gain exposure to emerging technologies and real-world applications. Together, these developments highlight a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach to skills, education, and employability, positioning India to harness its demographic dividend through innovation, equity, and global competitiveness.

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

NSDC Invites Proposals for Indo–Japan TITP

NSDC has invited proposals under Phase 7 of the RFP to onboard Sending Organizations for the Technical Intern Training Program (TITP), a flagship Indo–Japan initiative enabling Indian youth to gain international work exposure and industry experience. The last date to submit proposals is 28th February 2026.

Click here to apply!

Tenders – NSTFDC Seeks Implementation Partner for Digital Skilling in Eklavya Schools

The National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) has floated a ₹60 crore CSR-funded tender to implement digital literacy and capacity-building programmes across 497 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in 26 states, focusing on digital infrastructure, career counselling, teacher training and entrepreneurship development.

Last date to apply is January 28th, 2026. Click here to apply now!

Apprenticeship opportunities – Apply now!

THDC India Limited has announced ITI, Graduate and Diploma Apprenticeship opportunities for 2026 across Tehri, Rishikesh and Pipalkoti, offering one-year structured training under the Apprentices Act to strengthen power-sector skills and youth employability. Last date to apply is January 31, 2026.
Requirement: Engineering Graduates (B.E./B.Tech) and Diploma Apprentices
Instrumentation Limited, a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Heavy Industry and a leading manufacturer of control valves in India, invites applications from fresh candidates for engagement as Apprentices at its Palakkad office.
The apprenticeship training will be for a period of one year. Last date for submission of applications: 09 February 2026. Click here to apply!
Requirement: ITI Apprentices
Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) proposes to engage ITI Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961, for a one-year apprenticeship training in the trades mentioned below. Applications are invited from eligible candidates for engagement as ITI Apprenticeship Trainees.
Last date for submission of applications: 29 January 2026 (up to 5:00 PM). Click here to apply!

Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes –

MSDE signed an MoU with the World Economic Forum to launch a Skills Accelerator in India, strengthening TVET, public–private partnerships, and industry-aligned skilling solutions. Read more…
Indian Institute of Creative Skills signed an MoU with the All India Game Developers Forum to boost skilling and career pathways in gaming and interactive media.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated the first IndiaSkills North-East Regional Competition at Gauhati University, bringing together youth from eight states across 26 skill categories and reinforcing the focus on integrating skilling with formal education in the Northeast.
India is adopting South Korea’s Meister high school vocational model to strengthen industry-ready skills, supporting manufacturing growth and deeper India-Korea cooperation in workforce development.

Government initiatives and strategic launches in skill development

Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the three-day Inclusive Education Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting technology-enabled assistive solutions and reaffirming inclusive, equitable education as central to Viksit Bharat.
CBSE will conduct teacher capacity-building programmes in Gujarat from January 27 to February 12, 2026, to support the implementation of skill education for Classes 6-8 using NCERT’s Kaushal Bodh resources.
MSDE, with the Maharashtra government, will host a PM-SETU industry consultation in Pune to mobilise industry participation for upgrading ITIs and building a future-ready workforce.
Northern Coalfields Limited concluded a three-day skill development programme at Singrauli to enhance the technical skills and operational efficiency of its Surface Miner Operators.
Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary reviewed the Skill India International Centre at IIE Guwahati, highlighting its role in promoting global skill standards and overseas employment opportunities for Northeast youth.
MSDE concluded a two-day Jan Shikshan Sansthan zonal conference in Pune, strengthening inclusive, community-led skilling and livelihood outcomes across 11 states and UTs.

State-led skilling and institutional reforms

The UP Board has made vocational education compulsory for Classes 9-11 from 2026, introducing courses in IT, electronics, ITES, and beauty and wellness to boost employability.
A skill development programme was launched in Shamator with NSEDM and AISECT, training youth in masonry, tiling, electrical and plumbing to meet rising construction demand.
Delhi government will train and certify 1.2 lakh construction workers over three years, boosting safety, formal skills, employability and incomes across key construction job roles.
The State Council for Vocational Training signed an MoU with Noida Apparel Export Cluster to skill over 70,000 youth, boosting employability across Uttar Pradesh’s export-focused apparel ecosystem.
Odisha will introduce 55 new NEP-aligned textbooks for Classes 1–8 from next year, integrating local culture, new subjects, and large-scale teacher training for smooth implementation.
Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission held a two-day state-level skill competition in Lucknow, with 400 candidates competing across seven skills to qualify for national and WorldSkills stages.

Industry-Led collaborations driving workforce readiness

JSS Science and Technology University, Mysuru, signed an MoU with Bajaj Auto to set up a BEST Centre of Excellence for industry-aligned engineering skills training.

CSR initiatives in skilling and education

Kotak Education Foundation unveiled the Kotak Shiksha Nidhi Impact Film, highlighting how its COVID-era initiative supported over 1,500 vulnerable students with continued education and financial aid.
The Adani Foundation’s Coaching and Fitness Centre in Gangavaram is empowering youth from fishing communities through structured sports training, fitness programmes, and access to professional coaching.
Blue Dart onboarded over 200 Persons with Disabilities into full-time roles across operations and support functions, reinforcing its commitment to inclusive employment and workplace dignity.

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/

Innovation, Capacity-building and the Future of Academic Skilling

CSIR launched its Integrated Skill Initiative to bridge science and industry by delivering inclusive, industry-aligned skill training through its nationwide research infrastructure and expertise.
Punjab University inaugurated PACER and Cybersecurity Skill Labs under RUSA 2.0 to strengthen innovation, skill-based education, and entrepreneurship for students nationwide.

*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.