This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlight the launch of new programs in semiconductor, drone, AI, healthcare and EV skilling, alongside major investments in ITI modernisation and women’s vocational education. NCVET has expanded its network of Awarding Bodies, while the Skill India Mission and PM-SETU continue to strengthen training infrastructure across the country. Several states have introduced innovative measures to improve industry-academia collaboration, digitise skill delivery and expand access to vocational education. Industry, academia and CSR partners are also driving workforce readiness through targeted initiatives in emerging technologies, higher education and livelihoods, reinforcing India’s commitment to building an inclusive, industry-aligned and globally competitive skills ecosystem.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –
Apprenticeships
- HPCL has invited applications for its All-India Marketing Apprenticeship 2026, offering hands-on industry training for graduates and diploma holders. Last date to apply: 31 July 2026. Click here to apply!
- SAIL Rourkela Steel Plant has invited applications for 1,110 Trade, Diploma and Graduate Apprentice positions under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Last date to apply: 26 August 2026. Click here to apply!
Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes
- AVPL International and NSDC have launched the ‘1 Panchayat–1 Drone Udyami’ mission to create 2 lakh rural drone entrepreneurs, fostering a collaborative national drone skilling ecosystem.
- PM-SETU is advancing ITI modernisation through upgraded infrastructure, industry-aligned courses and new Centres of Excellence, with six industry-led clusters approved across Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Gujarat.
- Skill India Mission is expanding industry-relevant skilling, reskilling and upskilling programmes across India, with a stronger focus on rural, tribal and aspirational districts through enhanced training infrastructure.
- Bihar will establish the permanent NSTI (Women), Patna campus and a Skill India International Centre to strengthen women’s skilling and prepare youth for global employment opportunities.
National skill development updates
- NIELIT will establish two Centres of Excellence in Ahmedabad and Guwahati to strengthen semiconductor skilling, supporting OSAT and ATMP training under India Semiconductor Mission 2.0.
- NIOS has completed a national training programme for ASHA certification and will launch the next phase to certify 10 lakh ASHA workers, strengthening community healthcare skills nationwide.
- NCVET has recognised NIRD&PR as an Awarding Body (Dual), enabling it to assess, certify and deliver industry-relevant, entrepreneurship and rural development skill programmes.
- NCVET has recognised NTTF as an Awarding Body (Dual) with pan-India jurisdiction, enabling it to assess, certify and deliver NCVET-aligned skill qualifications nationwide.
- PSSCIVE-NCERT celebrated World Youth Skills Day 2026 with experiential learning activities, showcasing vocational skills, innovation and hands-on training to inspire future-ready learners.
- NCVET has recognised NIIT Foundation as an Awarding Body (Dual), enabling pan-India delivery, assessment and certification of NSQF-aligned programmes, including AI-enabled digital productivity and data management courses.
- NCVET has recognised NITTTR Kolkata as an Awarding Body (Dual), enabling NSQF-aligned training, assessment and certification, beginning with a new Fundamentals of Soil Testing qualification.
- MSDE has linked payments to skill training providers with candidate placement and job retention, shifting to an outcome-based funding model focused on sustainable employment.
State initiatives driving skilling and innovation
- Haryana will expand vocational education to 60% of secondary students by 2026-27, introducing AI and FinTech courses across 306 additional government schools to boost industry-ready skills.
- Maharashtra plans to establish a Global Manufacturing Hub and Frontier Tech Institute to strengthen quantum computing, deep-tech innovation, manufacturing and future-ready workforce development.
- Telangana has partnered with Hetero Pharmaceuticals to strengthen industry-academia collaboration through internships, skill development, campus recruitment and employment opportunities for government junior college students.
- Karnataka has introduced AI as an NSQF vocational subject for Classes 9 and 10 in government schools, replacing the third language option to build future-ready skills.
- Rajasthan has launched the Mukhyamantri Yuva Suyog platform to connect youth with sports, skill development, employment opportunities and community engagement through a digital, grassroots ecosystem.
- Telangana has sanctioned ₹20 crore for a National Academy of Construction (NAC) Skill Development Centre in Peddapalli to strengthen construction-sector skilling and employment opportunities.
- Jammu & Kashmir has expanded its ITI network by 60% since 2014, strengthening access to vocational training and industry-relevant skill development across the Union Territory.
- Odisha’s ₹1,140-crore skilling project is set to be recommended to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for financial support to strengthen skill infrastructure and youth employability.
- Haryana has approved a ₹2,892-crore plan to modernise 60 ITIs across 12 hub-and-spoke clusters under PM-SETU, strengthening industry-aligned vocational training and employability.
- Uttar Pradesh has launched the Kaushal Setu and Kaushal Sarathi portals to digitise skill training, simplify training partner registration and improve youth access to skilling and employment opportunities.
- Haryana inaugurated the RKSD Naveen Avsar International Skill Centre in Kaithal and announced ₹520 crore under PM-SETU to modernise ITIs in Kaithal and Kurukshetra.
Industry partnerships and workforce readiness
- The Department of Pharmaceuticals, LSSSDC and C-CAMP organised a workshop in Bengaluru to promote the SMDI Scheme, boosting awareness and stakeholder participation in India’s medical devices industry.
CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods
- Medhavi Skills University has partnered with SANDIKSHA to provide skill-based higher education, fee waivers, concessions and career transition support for SSB personnel and their families.
- India Inc.’s CSR spending rose 17% to ₹40,794 crore in FY25, with education remaining the largest focus area, highlighting stronger corporate investment in skill development and social impact.
Higher education, technology and digital skills
- TERI has inaugurated a Bengaluru training centre under its Future-In-Charge programme to strengthen EV charging infrastructure workforce development through industry-focused, hands-on skilling.
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/
*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.
