Weekly Newsbytes on Skills and Education

This week’s NSN Newsbytes reflect a strong national focus on integrating vocational education, emerging technologies, and employability pathways across school, higher education, and community-based skilling systems.

At the national level, initiatives such as the creation of Saarthi for holistic ITI transformation, AI-focused skilling consultations under the IndiaAI Mission, and new awarding bodies recognised by NCVET signal deeper structural reforms. Programmes like PM VIKAS, Project NAVYA, green skills training, and free internships further expand access to skilling for minority communities, adolescent girls, and students nationwide. The successful 8th batch convocation of the Furniture and Fittings Skill Council (FFSC) at NSTI Hyderabad highlights the growing impact of industry-aligned short-term training programmes on workforce readiness.

States are also accelerating implementation of NEP 2020, with early introduction of vocational education, upgraded ITIs, inclusive curricula for children with disabilities, and entrepreneurship-focused teacher training. Meanwhile, industry partnerships from paid apprenticeships and logistics skilling to tech certifications and agri-livelihood initiatives are strengthening last-mile employability and workforce relevance.

CSR-driven interventions and academic innovation, including women-focused technical training, AI curricula in schools, and stipend-linked vocational courses, underscore a people-centric approach to skilling. Together, these developments highlight India’s coordinated push to build a resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive skills ecosystem aligned with Viksit Bharat goals.

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

8th Batch Convocation of Furniture and Fittings Skill Council Short-Term Skill Development Program at NSTI Hyderabad

The Furniture and Fittings Skill Council (FFSC) concluded the 8th batch convocation of its 3-month short-term skill development program at the FFSC Centre of Excellence (CoE) located at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Vidyanagar, Hyderabad, with program support by Greenpanel Foundation. The program completion and certificate distribution event was held on 23rd December 2025, marking the successful completion of training by participants across diverse educational and professional backgrounds.

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Government initiatives – National missions and strategic launches in skill development

The Andhra Pradesh Board of Intermediate Education became India’s first school board recognised by NCVET as a dual-category awarding body, enabling nationally certified vocational qualifications starting with sericulture training.
The National Library of India at Kolkata will sign MoUs with universities nationwide to strengthen research, academic exchange, and skill development in Library and Information Science.
A three-month Green Skill Development Programme on Waste Optimisation Professional began at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
MSDE will set up ‘Saarthi’ (Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation), a national advisory body to drive long-term reforms and align 14,600+ ITIs with evolving industry skill requirements.
NCVET recognised Dr. Reddy’s Foundation as an Awarding Body, approving a Pharma Manufacturing Technician qualification to strengthen life sciences skilling and future-ready employability pathways.
MSDE is offering free internships of one to three months in areas like foreign languages, SAP, data science, and medical writing for eligible students.
MSDE signed an MoU with the Wadhwani Foundation under Project NAVYA to strengthen employability, life skills, and workforce readiness among adolescent girls nationwide.
MSDE Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary chaired a high-level consultation on integrating AI into India’s skilling roadmap, strengthening industry collaboration under the IndiaAI Mission and PMKVY 4.0.
NIFTEM Kundli signed an MoU with the Ministry of Minority Affairs to implement PM VIKAS, delivering skill training and livelihood support for minority youth.

State-led skilling and institutional reforms

Punjab Education Minister Shri Harjot Singh Bains launched the Hunar Sikhya School handbook, introducing an industry-aligned vocational curriculum in 40 schools for Grades XI and XII.
Haryana is strengthening vocational teacher capacity through regular training, industry exposure, and specialised programmes via SVSU, DIET, SCERT, and PSSCIVE to enhance skill-based education.
The Maharashtra government mandated the ‘Disha’ curriculum for all special schools, standardising life skills, academics, and vocational readiness for children with intellectual disabilities from 2026 – 27.
Bihar will introduce vocational education from Class VI in government schools from 2026 – 27 under NEP 2020, expanding early exposure to job-oriented and entrepreneurial skills.
A three-day Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for PM Shri School principals and teachers began in Tirupati to promote creativity and entrepreneurship in school education.
Odisha Cabinet approved the Utkarsh ITI Yojana to upgrade select ITIs into zonal centres, strengthening technical education and aligning training with emerging industry needs.
Odisha will invest ₹200 crore to upgrade government ITIs into Centres of Excellence, enhancing industry-integrated training with advanced labs, smart classrooms, and modern learning facilities.

Industry partnerships for a strong skill ecosystem

Infosys partnered with Alva’s College, Moodbidri, to launch a paid apprenticeship programme, enabling 75 students to gain industry experience while continuing their studies.
Flipkart signed an agreement with NCVET to create nationally recognised, industry-aligned skilling pathways for India’s rapidly growing e-commerce and logistics workforce under the Skill India Mission.
Godrej Enterprises Group launched a forklift training centre in Pune to skill youth, enhance safety standards, and support India’s rapidly expanding manufacturing and logistics ecosystem.
Samsung Innovation Campus certified 750 students in Visakhapatnam, training youth in AI, coding, and programming to strengthen future-ready tech skills in Andhra Pradesh.
Vedanta reaffirmed its farmer-led rural development approach on Kisan Diwas, supporting 50,000 farmers and generating ₹14 crore through climate-resilient agriculture and livelihood diversification.

CSR initiatives in skilling and education

The Hettich Poddar WoodWorking Institute (HPWWI) held the convocation for its first all-women woodworking batch, certifying 50 women among 108 trainees and advancing gender inclusion in technical trades.
Adani Gangavaram Port (Andhra Pradesh) inaugurated a CSR-led skill development centre to train youth and women in industry-relevant skills, supporting inclusive growth and community livelihoods.

Skilling and upskilling in academia and emerging technologies

IBM committed to training five million people in India by 2030 in AI, cybersecurity, and quantum computing to build a future-ready digital workforce.
NCERT formed a textbook development team to introduce Artificial Intelligence syllabi for Classes 11 – 12 and integrate AI-based animation and games in Class 6 vocational education.
SASTRA University, with Shanmugha Precision Forgings, launched a one-year vocational course for Class VIII pass candidates, offering a ₹5,000 monthly stipend under MSDE support.

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/

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