This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlights India’s continued efforts to strengthen vocational education, industry partnerships and workforce readiness across sectors. Key developments include investments in ITI modernisation under the PM-SETU scheme, collaborations between educational institutions and industries, and initiatives to equip teachers with digital and AI competencies. International partnerships are also creating pathways for Indian workers to access overseas employment through globally aligned skill standards and certification. Meanwhile, initiatives supporting women’s participation in diverse vocational fields, healthcare training, early childhood education and industrial automation reflect the expanding scope of skill development. India’s achievements at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 further demonstrate the growing capabilities of its skilled workforce.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –
Highlights from this week’s Newsbytes
- India secured 10th place at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, up from 39th fifteen years ago, winning six silver medals and breaking into new skill categories.
- India aims to achieve USD 100 billion in gems and jewellery exports by 2040, focusing on artisan upskilling, craftsmanship and global competitiveness.
National skill development updates
- The MSDE increased its FY 2026-27 budget allocation to ₹9,540.5 crore, prioritising ITI modernisation, AVGC skilling and emerging technologies.
- School heads from Kangra and Chamba attended a PM SHRI training programme covering educational leadership, NEP 2020, digital learning, financial management and vocational education.
- Fourteen women represented India at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, showcasing diverse technical, creative, and service-oriented skills.
- NSDC is collaborating with Germany, Japan and Israel to align Indian vocational training with international standards, expanding overseas employment pathways.
- The government approved a ₹320-crore investment for Haryana’s Kurukshetra ITI Cluster under PM-SETU, partnering with Jindal Naveen Avsar Limited to strengthen industry-led vocational training.
State-led Skill Initiatives
- Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Khawzawl, organised skill development training on green jobs to promote sustainable livelihoods and enhance employment opportunities in Mizoram.
- Tamil Nadu will introduce the “One Degree, Six Skills” programme across 181 government colleges from January 2027, integrating job-oriented skills into undergraduate education.
- Hyderabad’s Mehrunissa Begum won a silver medal in Logistics and Freight Forwarding at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026.
- Arunachal Pradesh’s Rural Livelihoods Mission signed MoUs with seven organisations to provide placement-linked skill training under DDU-GKY 2.0, enhancing rural youth employability and livelihoods.
- Government ITI Rangpo signed an agreement with Toyota Kirloskar Motor to introduce technical education programmes for service advisors and sales consultants.
- Andhra Pradesh aims to generate 20 lakh jobs through industry-linked education reforms, strengthening government schools, ITIs and skill development to improve youth employability.
- DIET Leh conducted a two-day CBSE-led capacity-building programme to help teachers implement Kaushal Bodh and Kaushal Vikas textbooks through experiential, activity-based skill education.
- Himachal Pradesh released ₹35.34 crore to upgrade ITIs, polytechnics and engineering colleges, improving infrastructure, skill development, innovation and employability.
- Tripura University proposed a ₹1,589-crore development plan to strengthen research, infrastructure, employability and industry-academia collaboration.
- West Bengal’s skill development minister urged the gems and jewellery industry to establish a dedicated skill university, promoting artisan training, apprenticeships and employment opportunities.
- United Institute of Management, Prayagraj, launched apprenticeship-embedded BBA and BCA programmes integrating classroom learning with industry training to enhance practical skills and employability.
Industry Partnerships for Employability
- AIIMS Deoghar and HSSC partnered to deliver skill-based healthcare training in ECG interpretation, critical care, palliative care and women’s reproductive health nursing.
- HSSC and 3M India launched APEX 2026, a national championship promoting excellence in infection prevention, surgical safety and patient care across Indian hospitals.
- Dibber India partnered with MEPSC under Skill India to train preschool educators through practical internships, AI skills and NSQF Level 4 certification.
- Mitsubishi Electric India inaugurated its first North India Centre of Excellence at CGC Landran, Mohali, offering hands-on training in industrial automation and Industry 4.0 technologies.
- ASDC-trained competitors won five Medals for Excellence at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 across automotive technology, robotics, Industry 4.0, car painting and additive manufacturing.
CSR initiatives in skills and livelihoods
- ICCPL Foundation donated ₹50,000 to UMEED Vocational Training Centre to support vocational training and care for children with special needs and autism.
- SCERT Uttarakhand partnered with Kotak Education Foundation to develop teachers’ AI literacy through online courses, strengthening digital education and technology-enabled classroom learning.
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 news 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.
