Weekly Newsbytes on skills and education

This week’s NSN Newsbytes captures how government bodies, academia, and industry leaders are working together to build a future-ready workforce aligned with national priorities like Skill India, Digital India, and Viksit Bharat 2047.

From MSDE’s launch of SportEdge Meerut and logistics skilling hubs to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s push for AI and future skills in Nagaland, India is fast integrating advanced technologies into vocational and academic systems. States like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra are leading large-scale programs to boost employability through semiconductor training, ITI upgradation, and AI-focused education. With the Labour Codes now implemented, modernising decades-old labour regulations; India is also strengthening its policy framework to support a more productive, protected, and future-ready workforce.

Industry players such as Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Tata Electronics, Swiggy, and Hindustan Coca-Cola are driving impactful CSR and skilling partnerships, while institutions like IIT Guwahati, IGNOU, and the Central University of Karnataka are bridging the gap between academia and industry.

Together, these efforts underline India’s commitment to inclusive, technology-led, and industry-relevant skilling, strengthening its global position as a hub of innovation, talent, and sustainable growth.

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

Pearson BTEC Connect 2025 – Bridging Education and Employability

Pearson BTEC Connect 2025 – Bridging Education and Employability will be held on 4th December 2025, from 6 PM onwards in Hyderabad. The event will unite educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to shape a skills-first education ecosystem.

Register here!

Government initiatives – National missions and strategic launches in skill development

The Government of India has implemented all four Labour Codes from 21 November 2025, replacing 29 outdated laws to modernise labour regulations, strengthen worker welfare, and build a future-ready, competitive workforce.
MSDE, SPEFL-SC, and British Asian Trust launched “SportEdge Meerut” to develop Meerut as India’s model sports hub, integrating skills and entrepreneurship.
Finance Minister Shri Nirmala Sitharaman reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to developing Kiphire’s agriculture, tourism, and skill sectors under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Karnataka Minister Shri Priyank Kharge launched ₹1,000-crore LEAP initiatives – Elevate Next and Elevate Beyond Bengaluru. This is to boost deeptech, innovation, and skilling beyond Bengaluru.
MSDE Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary inaugurated the Centre of Logistics Training Excellence at NSTI Hyderabad to boost technology-driven skilling in India’s logistics sector. Read more…
Finance Minister Shri Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the AI and Future Skills Centre of Excellence in Dimapur to boost Nagaland’s digital and skilling ecosystem.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched SAMARTH at NIELIT Kohima to promote AI, robotics, and digital technology learning in schools.
The Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Bengaluru and the Central Silk Board under Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, organized an outreach programme to promote silk exports, innovation, and global market competitiveness in the textile sector.
Kochi achieved a 76.56% employability rate in the India Skill Report 2026, surpassing Delhi and Hyderabad as a rising talent hub.
Meghalaya launched a Japanese language training centre in Shillong to boost overseas employment, focusing on healthcare, hospitality, and IT sectors.
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages signed an MoU with Telangana’s Directorate of Employment and Training to provide ITI students with hands-on factory internships, bridging academic learning and industrial practice.
Andhra Pradesh laid the foundation for India’s first Drone City and Space City to boost innovation, technology, investment, and employment.
C-DOT signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Government to join the Amaravati Quantum Valley initiative, advancing indigenous quantum security solutions.

State-led skilling and institutional reforms

Vocational teachers urged the Centre and states to regularize long-serving educators, citing low pay and lack of permanent policy despite a decade of service.
Haryana launched a prison skilling initiative, opening a Polytechnic Centre in Gurugram Jail and ITIs in five jails to rehabilitate inmates.
Karnataka launched NIPUNA Karnataka to skill 4,000 students in phase one through partnerships with ICT Academy, ARWS, FUEL, and AISECT.
Karnataka signed an MoU with Marvell Semiconductor to train 90 women in VLSI design and embedded software, boosting semiconductor workforce diversity.
KVTSDC signed an MoU with DeFa to train Karnataka nursing students in German, enabling healthcare employment opportunities in Germany.

Industry partnerships for a strong skill ecosystem

Tata Electronics signed an MoU with NIELIT Kohima to boost semiconductor ATMP skilling and strengthen India’s semiconductor workforce ecosystem.
Swiggy signed an MoU with upGrad to offer delivery partners access to university-certified courses and soft-skills training through its Partner app.
ASDC showcased its Skill Exhibition and Try-a-Skill Zone at DIDAC India 2025, featuring live demos in automobile technology and additive manufacturing.
GJSCI signed an MoU with APSSDC to deliver skill training and upskilling programs in Andhra Pradesh’s gems and jewellery sector.
A 24-day ASCI – PepsiCo India training on climate-resilient agriculture began at KVK Bankura to promote sustainable, technology-driven farming practices.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor signed an MoU with Maharashtra to upgrade 45 ITIs by 2030, boosting automotive skills and green mobility employment.
Cyient Foundation and SIDBI Swavalamban Foundation launched an AI and Future Skills Centre at NTTC Dimapur to boost digital skilling in Northeast India.
CII Southern Region hosted the Higher Education Conclave 2025 at VIT-AP University, focusing on reimagining education for India’s $5 trillion economy.
CIPET centres in Guwahati, Lucknow, and Murthal signed an MoU with Oil India Limited to advance petroleum and polymer skill development.

CSR initiatives in skilling and education

LIC Housing Finance Ltd inaugurated an upgraded multi-skill lab at GHSS Diphupar ‘A’, Nagaland, promoting youth empowerment through hands-on, AI-driven learning.
Toyota Kirloskar Motor enhanced 11 Maharashtra government schools with new infrastructure and learning materials under its CSR “Child-to-Community” education initiative.
Odisha Hydro Power Corporation signed an MoU with the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar, to train 60 underprivileged youth in globally aligned technical and service skills.

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

Central University of Karnataka signed an MoU with the Survey of India to boost R&D collaboration, internships, and industry-relevant skill development.
IIT Guwahati’s National Skill Academia partnered with IvySchool.ai to train students across Northeast India in AI and entrepreneurship through globally certified programs.
IGNOU launched the CII Career Edge Academy on its 40th Foundation Day to strengthen industry-linked skill development and employability nationwide.
PM Shri Government Girls Middle School Jindrah students visited IIT Jammu for hands-on exposure to labs and innovation under NEP 2020’s experiential learning focus.
PM SHRI Government High School Phusachodu held a vocational education awareness program emphasizing skill-based learning, entrepreneurship, and community wellness for students and parents.

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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.