In a significant move to bridge school education with vocational training, a National Workshop was held on July 18, 2025, at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi. The workshop focused on onboarding State and Union Territory education boards as Dual Category Awarding Bodies under the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). This initiative marks a major step forward in operationalizing the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes integrating vocational education within the formal education system.
Jointly organized by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and NCVET, the workshop is a key part of implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes integrating vocational education within the school curriculum.
Empowering state boards through dual category recognition
The workshop aimed to equip education boards with the knowledge and support needed to apply for NCVET recognition as Dual Category Awarding Bodies. This status allows boards to:
- Conduct both vocational training and assessment
- Align courses with the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF)
- Certify students directly from within the school system
Unlike standard Awarding Bodies, Dual Category Awarding Bodies offer end-to-end services, placing State Boards at the center of their state’s skilling ecosystem.
Key outcomes from the workshop
- Participation: 150+ delegates from 24 State and UT boards
- Applications initiated: 24 States began the NCVET recognition process
- Applications submitted: 6 States (Goa, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland) submitted completed applications during the event
- Case study: Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) shared its onboarding experience
- Support sessions: NCVET consultants conducted live demos and provided one-on-one guidance
Benefits of becoming a dual category awarding body
This recognition offers several strategic advantages for State Boards:
- National-level credibility in the VET ecosystem
- Access to NCVET-aligned qualifications and frameworks
- Improved recognition by employers and higher education institutions
- Capability to deliver and assess NSQF Level 1–4 vocational courses
- Leverage of national frameworks like:
- National Credit Framework (NCrF)
- Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)
- National Curriculum Framework (NCF)
The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) shared its journey as a case study, illustrating the practical challenges and outcomes of becoming a Dual Category Awarding Body. This exchange of insights added a valuable learning dimension to the workshop, encouraging other boards to accelerate their efforts.
Speaking at the event, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, emphasized the broader implications of this transformation: “With State Boards now stepping into the role of Dual Category Awarding Bodies, the responsibility is immense. It’s not just about examinations—it’s about upholding quality in vocational training and delivering measurable outcomes. This is a chance to redefine the skilling ecosystem from within the school system.”
Other dignitaries present included Ms. Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE; Ms. Prachi Pandey, Joint Secretary, DoSE&L; and NCVET Executive Members Dr. Vinita Agarwal and Dr. Neena Pahuja. The workshop marked the culmination of weeks of consultation and collaboration between central and state-level institutions and underscored the government’s whole-of-government approach to strengthening vocational pathways for school students.
Government’s push for vocational education
The workshop marked the culmination including:
- weeks of consultation and collaboration between central and state-level institutions
- underscored the government’s whole-of-government approach to strengthening vocational pathways for school students
It demonstrated the government’s coordinated efforts to make vocational education a core offering in the school system, not an add-on.
Redefining skilling from the school level
By enabling State Boards to take on this dual role, the initiative supports the mainstreaming of vocational education. It expands student access to industry-relevant skills and enhances employability outcomes right from the school level. With support from leveraging frameworks, this model provides a clear path for learners. They can now gain credits and recognition for vocational courses up to NSQF Level 4, ensuring smoother transitions to higher education and employment.
