This week’s NSN Newsbytes highlight powerful government initiatives, CSR partnerships, and academic innovations shaping India’s skilling ecosystem. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurating projects worth ₹34,200 crore in Gujarat to the introduction of skill-based curriculum under NEP 2020, the government is pushing forward with bold reforms. Major developments include Karnataka’s ₹4,432 crore Skill Development Policy, Tamil Nadu’s 41 lakh certifications under Naan Mudhalvan, and Bihar’s plan to train 1 crore youth in AI, Robotics, and emerging technologies.
On the industry and CSR front, ISB and HCL Foundation’s DiscoverShe initiative, KP Group’s green hydrogen training, and Toyota Kirloskar’s CSR collaboration with Uttarakhand are driving inclusive growth. Meanwhile, Rockwell Automation, AISECT, and CBSE are advancing academic skilling with AI-driven tools, R&D initiatives, and global collaborations.
Together, these updates reflect India’s accelerating journey toward building a future-ready workforce aligned with global standards and sustainable development goals.
Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes –
IDA Awards 2025 | Recognising Excellence in Education and Skills
The IDA Awards, presented by the India Didactics Association, are India’s only national-level awards that recognise excellence, innovation, and leadership across Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Skill Development Institutions.
Awards Ceremony: 18th November 2025
Venue: Yashobhoomi, IICC, Dwarka, New Delhi
(Co-located with Didac India & Didac Skills – Asia’s Largest Educational & Skilling Resources Exhibition, 18–20 November 2025)Who can Nominate:
- Early Learning Schools
- K-12 Schools
- Higher Education Institutions
- Skill Development & Training Providers
Register your interest:https://awards.indiadidac.org
For queries: +91-8448092933/34 | education.awards@indiadidac.org
Skill development updates from the government
- PM Shri Narendra Modi inaugurates ₹34,200 crore projects in Bhavnagar, highlights Seva Pakhwada with blood donation, health camps, and nationwide cleanliness drives.
- Meghalaya’s MSSDS signs MoU with Jaceex Ventures for Youth4Japan, offering overseas jobs in elder care, agriculture, hospitality, and driving.
- NCVET under MSDE, in collaboration with Maharashtra’s SEEID, organised a workshop uniting stakeholders from western states to enhance awareness of NCVET initiatives, strengthen vocational training, and boost coordination among industry, academia, and state skill missions.
- Government to introduce skill-based curriculum for Classes 11 and 12 under NEP 2020, shifting focus from degrees to competence-based learning.
- NCVET and TNSDC to host South Zone workshop in Chennai, uniting stakeholders to strengthen vocational education, future skills, and quality assurance.
- Karnataka approves ₹4,432 crore Skill Development Policy 2025-32, integrating vocational education, digital technologies, and global certifications to build a future-ready workforce and drive $1 trillion economy vision.
- The UP Skill Development Mission maps key industries in every district, linking youth to local employment and strengthening the availability of a skilled workforce.
- Two-day Aadi Karmayogi Abhiyan training begins in Mangan, empowering village trainers with skills for participatory planning and grassroots tribal governance.
- Punjab government amends Education Service Rules, granting promotion eligibility to vocational masters, benefiting 1,500 teachers and strengthening vocational education.
- Udupi urged to lead Karnataka in skill-based learning and entrepreneurship, with a focus on girl students and strengthening Yuva Nidhi schemes.
- The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation delivers 41 lakh certifications to 14.6 lakh students, integrating upskilling into university credits under the flagship Naan Mudhalvan scheme.
- World Skill Center Bhubaneswar holds 6th Graduation, 1,088 students complete advanced training in high-demand trades, boosting Odisha’s future-ready workforce.
- The Bihar government hosts “Food Sector Industry Meet” in Patna, inviting major companies to provide skill training and employment opportunities for youth.
- MSDE establishes Data and Strategy Unit to monitor Skill India Programme, address skilling gaps, and strengthen workforce opportunities nationwide.
Skill development updates on CSR and Industry
- ISB DLabs and HCL Foundation launch DiscoverShe in Bengaluru, empowering 400 women micro-entrepreneurs with digitisation, skills, mentorship, and financial support.
- KP Group and PSSC conduct green hydrogen training in Bharuch, certifying 35 participants with hands-on exposure to clean energy technologies.
- ET Infra Air Summit 2025 highlights the need to expand India’s aviation talent pool, strengthening training and infrastructure for pilots, engineers, and controllers.
- The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) unveils its Model State Policy on Global Capability Centres (GCCs), guiding states to expand hubs into Tier-II, III cities, creating millions of quality jobs.
- J&K CM Omar Abdullah discusses CSR projects with Indo-Australian delegation, focusing on smart villages, AI labs, sustainability, and community empowerment.
- Toyota Kirloskar Motor signs MoU with Uttarakhand government to launch CSR initiatives in education, health, environment, and community development from FY 2025-26.
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
- Rockwell Automation and ICT Academy launch Youth Empowerment Program to train 550 students in AI, Data Analytics, and RPA across Delhi NCR, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, boosting employability in emerging technologies.
- CBSE launches 14 new Capacity Building Programmes at National Teachers Conference 2025, enhancing educator training aligned with NEP 2020.
- SDE, RDS, and Germany’s TUD FACE Institute host AI workshop in Naharlagun, training ITI instructors to enhance vocational education with AI-driven tools and innovative teaching methods.
- ICSE 2025 in New Delhi unites educators, policymakers, industry, and youth to advance sustainability education and bridge the green economy skills gap.
- On Engineers’ Day, AICTE launches the PRACTICE and ARI Portal, and mandates the establishment of R&D and Climate Cells to enhance the employability of engineering graduates.
- The Bihar government is to launch (to be implemented after the 2025 assembly elections) a free skill program, training 1 crore youth in AI, Robotics, Drones, Data Science, and emerging technologies.
- AISECT signs MoUs with DarTU and KIUT in Tanzania to launch future-ready skill programs, faculty exchange, and global job market linkages.
*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, providing valid reasons, and we will remove the link to your content.
