Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 11th February 2025

India’s skilling ecosystem is set for a major boost with the Union Cabinet approving the continuation of the Skill India Programme till 2026 with an ₹8,800 crore outlay. Maharashtra’s plan to establish India’s first AI university underscores the growing focus on tech-driven education. Meanwhile, MSDE and NSDC are expanding global career opportunities, AICTE has launched the YASHASVI Scholarship for engineering students, and EOIs invitations for coaching institutes and weavers’ training programs.

In this week’s Newsbytes from NSN, we cover everything from groundbreaking government policies to industry-driven skilling, CSR initiatives, and the latest from NEP 2020, UGC, and NCVET. Dive into how these updates are shaping the future of education and employment in India.

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

This week’s highlights in skill education 

• AICTE launches the YASHASVI Scholarship 2025 for Degree and Diploma students in core engineering branches.
• The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation and restructuring of the Skill India Programme (SIP) till 2026 with a total outlay of Rs. 8,800 crore from 2022-23 to 2025-26. Read more…
• MSDE has inaugurated the NSDC International Academy in Greater Noida, a state-of-the-art facility aimed at equipping Indian youth with global skills, and flagged off 11 candidates to Germany.
• Maharashtra is set to establish India’s first AI university, with a task force formed to drive research, innovation, and industry-academia collaboration.

Meghalaya State Skill Development Society – EOI for Coaching Institutes

The Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), Department of Labour, Employment & Skill Development, invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from leading coaching institutes to provide a minimum of 150 hours of training to 2,500 aspirants for aptitude-based competitive exams and government job recruitment tests (MPSC, SSC, Bank, Police, PSUs).

The last date for submission is February 27, 2025, and for detailed EOI information, click here! 

Expression of Interest (EOI) for Weavers Training – Jharcraft

Jharkhand Silk, Textile & Handicraft Development Corporation Ltd. (Jharcraft) invites Expression of Interest (EOI) from organizations like NIFT, NID, private firms, and vendors for providing weaving training to handloom weavers in Jharkhand. Interested bidders can visit www.jharcraft.in for details on requirements, eligibility criteria, and terms.

The last date for submission is February 15, 2025, by 5:00 PM. and for detailed EOI information click here!

Skill development updates from the Government

• CSIR-IIIM Jammu conducted a skill development program on Research Methodology, Science Communication, and IPR, benefiting students, researchers, and professionals.
• Maharashtra’s Tribal Development Department plans to collaborate with corporates through CSR funds to enhance education, healthcare, skill development, and market access for tribal communities.
• The Union Budget 2025-26 allocates ₹2541.06 crore to boost India’s tourism sector through infrastructure, skill development, and a challenge-mode initiative to develop 50 top destinations.
• The Tamil Nadu government to launch the Integrated Skill Development Scheme for the Textiles & Apparel Sector in Chennai, aiming to train 30 lakh people in five years.
• NCVET has recognized Vidya Bharti Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan as a Dual Awarding Body, allowing it to assess and certify NSQF-aligned qualifications.
• MSME held a one-day training in Pakyong to educate artisans on the PM Vishwakarma scheme and promote skill development.
• The ITI upgradation scheme from Budget 2024-25, with a ₹3,000 crore allocation for FY26, is set for Cabinet approval this fiscal, following consultations with states and industry.
• The government of Tripura had launched the ‘Skill-Uday Tongnai’ programme to equip 80,000 students with employment and entrepreneurship skills.

Skill development updates on CSR, Industry

• The 10th EPC meeting of the National Technical Textiles Mission approved grants for four start-ups and funding for IIT Indore, NIT Patna, and others to introduce technical textile courses and skill programs.
• THSC honored two candidates at the Republic Day Parade for their success in skill programs under PM Vishwakarma and PMKVY 4.0, showcasing the impact of government skilling initiatives.
• Great Learning has launched AI Mentor and AI Teacher to enhance digital learning by making education more personalized, accessible, and scalable to bridge the gap in expert mentorship, ensuring high-quality learning experiences for students worldwide.
• The EIACP Hub under the Forest and Environment Department concluded the NCVET-certified Green Skill Development Programme on “Apiculturist” in Sikkim, equipping participants with beekeeping and honey production skills for sustainable livelihoods.
• BSI Learning and IICA have partnered to offer an Australian hospitality qualification in India with global recognition.
• India’s Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are set to create 4.25-4.5 lakh jobs in 2024 and 1 million in six years, driven by workforce expansion and supportive policies, according to India GCC Growth Outlook 2024 report.
• Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation  and Infosys have launched a mobile skill development lab for government school and polytechnic students in Coimbatore under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme.
• NSDC is launching a foreign language center in Pune to equip Indian professionals with global career opportunities in Germany, Japan, and Australia.
• Marriott International and Accenture India launched a four-month hospitality training program, offering mentorship and paid internships across 155 hotels.
• Oracle launched Project Vidya to train 500,000 youth and women in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity by 2028, partnering with NSDC to train 100,000 professionals.
• ASDC and Hero MotoCorp launch a program to train 20,000 women in automotive sales and service roles over the next 15 months.
• JSW MG Motor India’s MG Sewa impacted 1.2 lakh beneficiaries in 2024, including 70,000 women and girls, through education and hygiene programs across India

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/

Skilling and upskilling in academia and emerging technologies

• NIT Srinagar launched a weeklong MSME-sponsored Advanced Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Program on EV, solar, and hydrogen energy.
• NIOS and the Madhya Pradesh State Open School Education Board have partnered to expand vocational education, aligned with NEP 2020, to equip students with practical skills and enhance their job prospects through quality vocational training programs.
• By 2027, India will produce 18 million STEM graduates, but many underprivileged youth struggle with employment due to a lack of career guidance and industry-relevant skills—making skill-based volunteering vital in bridging the education-employability gap.
• Young artisans from Meghalaya completed a six-day handmade embroidery training at DDUCC, gaining skills in cutting, stitching, and advanced embroidery techniques to enhance livelihood opportunities.
• Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University inaugurated a weeklong entrepreneurial skill development program under the PM-USHA scheme, featuring expert sessions, case studies, and industry interactions to equip students with startup and business skills.