Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 20th May 2025

In this edition of NSN Newsbytes, we bring you updates on the opening of CITS 2025–26 admissions, global expansion plans of Karnataka’s GTTC through a proposed partnership in Namibia, and the launch of AI and EV-based courses in Maharashtra ITIs. Also read about impactful initiatives like the Skill Milan meet, the launch of iFactory Lab in Ahmedabad, and CSR-driven programs empowering thousands of youth and women across India.

We cover key developments from NEP 2020, NCVET’s reforms, industry partnerships, CSR initiatives, and academic collaborations, each playing a vital role in driving India’s shift towards a future-ready, skilled workforce.

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

This week’s highlights in skill education 

CITS 2025-26 Admissions Open: Apply Now for Trainer Courses

The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has opened online applications for CITS 2025-26 admissions. Applications will be accepted from May 8 to 28, with the AICET exam scheduled for June 15. This is for trainer courses across 41 trades at National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Industrial Training Organizations (IToTs). For more information, visit- http://www.nimionlineadmission.in/

Skill development updates from the government

•  A central team from the Ministry of Rural Development visited DDU-GKY training centres in Odisha, where the program is implemented by ORMAS and the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department.
• AIEF has proposed setting up a Government Tool and Training Centre in Namibia with Karnataka’s GTTC as the knowledge partner to boost India-Africa cooperation in vocational training.
• Telangana will set up skill training centres in all district headquarters in collaboration with Young India Skills University, as part of its plan to become a skilled talent hub.
• The Maharashtra cabinet approved a new PPP policy to transform government ITIs into world-class centres with skills aligned to global industry demands.
• The government of Odisha signed an MoU with the National Stock Exchange to provide financial literacy and investor awareness courses to students of higher educational institutions.
• MSDE chaired the Skill Milan meet with heads of five NSTIs set to become National Centres of Excellence, aligning with a ₹60,000 crore scheme to boost instructor training and sector-specific skilling in India.
• The government of Andhra Pradesh launched its Tourism Policy 2024–2029 aiming to create 3 lakh jobs and boost the state’s potential as a leading national and international tourist destination.
• Karnataka’s Government Tool Room and Training Centre is set to expand globally with a proposed collaboration to establish a training centre in Namibia, supported by the Africa India Economic Foundation to boost industrial skilling in Africa.
• MSDE chaired the 4th Steering Committee of the Skill Development Mission to boost cross-sectoral skilling aligned with IndiaAI, Green Hydrogen, and Viksit Bharat @2047.

Skill development updates on CSR, Industry

• An advanced training in Tooling, Engraving, and Setting began on 12 May at Ankurhati Gems & Jewellery Park, Howrah, to upskill jewellery professionals to global standards.
• Nasscom Foundation and IG Group have trained 2,000 marginalised youth—60% of them women—across Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Delhi NCR in digital and emerging tech skills under their Skilling and Employability Program.
• NSDC International will train 1 lakh candidates as globally employable caregivers, focusing on care, soft, and language skills including English, German, and Japanese.
• Public sector banks (PSBs) are using AI to train frontline employees to enhance customer service amid stagnant deposit growth and ministry concerns.
• Maxme has launched new human skills development programs in India to support workforce upskilling amid rising demand for adaptability, communication, and leadership in the AI-driven workplace.
• Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club at NTPC Bongaigaon awarded certificates to 40 women who completed its tailoring training program, promoting self-reliance and livelihood opportunities.
• Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) has received global accreditation from the GSDC and is now an Authorized Academic Partner, enabling it to offer internationally certified skill programs.
• Capgemini and Nasscom Foundation have trained over 700 underprivileged youths in Delhi NCR and Bengaluru under the AI for Skilling program to prepare them for jobs in an AI-driven economy.
• Axis Bank and Lakshya Shooting Club have signed an MoU to set up a High Performance Centre in Navi Mumbai to nurture Olympic-level shooting talent and boost India’s sports ecosystem.

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

• From the 2025-26 academic year, Maharashtra ITIs will introduce six new tech-driven courses—including AI, EV Management, and Drone Technology—to align with emerging industry demands.
• Delhi Police has launched ‘Nayi Disha’, a community initiative to help school dropouts rejoin education or enroll in skill-building programmes.
• The Kaushalya Skill University, in collaboration with the Ministry of Heavy Industries, has inaugurated the iFactory Lab at Ahmedabad’s Kubernagar ITI to train students and professionals in Industry 4.0 technologies.
• The Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TGSWREIS), in collaboration with Unnathi Foundation, will launch free skill development training for all Gurukul students from the 2025–26 academic year to boost their employability.
• Tamil Nadu’s Directorate of Technical Education has signed six MoUs, including with Tata STRIVE and HL Mando Anand India, to launch industry-aligned skill development courses and boost student employability in sectors like healthcare, IT, and automotive.
• To boost tribal representation in semiconductor careers, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and the Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru have launched a fully funded training programme for tribal engineering students, offering 60-day basic and 90-day advanced modules.

 *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, giving valid reasons, and we will remove the link to your content.