Year in Review 2025 – Part 2 focuses on the pivotal role played by governments at the central and state levels in advancing India’s skilling and education agenda. As workforce development gained renewed momentum during the year, policy decisions, flagship programmes, national events, and state-led reforms collectively shaped how skills are planned, delivered, and linked to employment outcomes.
From large-scale vocational education reforms and apprenticeship expansion to green skills, inclusion, and future-ready initiatives, 2025 reflected a clear shift toward industry alignment, regional empowerment, and technology-driven skilling. This part brings together a curated recap of key government-led initiatives and events that translated policy intent into action on the ground across sectors and states.
Click here to read more for Year in Review 2025 – Part 1!
Year in Review 2025 – Part 2: Government Initiatives and Policy Developments
ITI Reforms and Centres of Excellence
The Union Cabinet approved the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation along with the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) for Skilling, marking one of the most ambitious reforms in vocational education. With a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore, the scheme brings together central and state governments and industry, with co-financing support from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, signalling a strong push toward industry-aligned, future-ready training infrastructure. Read more…
Apprenticeship Expansion and Reforms
To strengthen work-based learning, the MSDE launched the North East Apprenticeship Pilot Scheme, offering structured, paid apprenticeships to youth across the region. Complementing this, the 38th Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) meeting recommended a 36% stipend hike under NAPS and NATS, linking stipend revisions to CPI to improve retention, participation, and aspirational value. Read more…
Green Skills, EV Training, and Sustainability
The DGT–Shell India partnership introduced a focused Green Skills and Electric Vehicle training programme, equipping youth with skills aligned to India’s clean energy and electric mobility ambitions.
Women and Inclusive Skilling
The NAVYA initiative, launched in Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, focused on vocational training for adolescent girls aged 16–18, reinforcing the government’s commitment to inclusive skilling in aspirational and tribal districts under Viksit Bharat@2047.
Employment Generation
The approval of the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme, with an outlay of ₹99,446 crore, aims to generate over 3.5 crore jobs, particularly in manufacturing, forming a cornerstone of the government’s broader employment and skilling package for youth.
Future Skills and National Vision
Bharat SkillNXT 2025
Marking 10 years of the Skill India Mission, Bharat SkillNXT 2025 showcased India’s transition toward AI-driven, inclusive, and industry-aligned skilling. The launch of the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative highlighted a national ambition to build AI literacy among students from Classes 6–12, supported by structured teacher training. Read more…
State-Led Skill Transformation
- Telangana inaugurated 65 Advanced Technology Centres (ATCs), transforming ITIs into modern training hubs aligned with industry and degree pathways.
- Kerala hosted the Skill Kerala Global Summit 2025, announcing 1.28 lakh job opportunities and positioning the state as a global talent hub through innovation, skilling, and international collaboration.
International Collaboration
Australia–India Dual-Sector Education Partnership
The release of “New Frontiers for Australian Dual-Sector Education” by the Australia India Institute and VIT strengthened bilateral cooperation in vocational-integrated higher education. High-level ministerial participation underscored the growing importance of global partnerships in workforce preparation.
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Webinars and Knowledge Dialogues
- World Youth Skills Day 2025 Webinar: A Journey of Skills and Aspirations: From Kurukshetra to the World highlighted the Naveen AVSAR initiative, showcasing how ITI modernisation and global pathways can reshape youth aspirations.
- IVETA–NSN Webinar on the Emerging TVET Landscape explored policy shifts, best practices, and evolving models in skill-based education, engaging educators, policymakers, and practitioners globally.
- Dr Madhuri Dubey, Founder – Director at NSN, also participated in the Workshop on Transforming the Skilling Ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, held on 15–16 July 2025 at the Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar. Dr Madhuri Dubey participated in the workshop and shared insights during a session on Tech Tools & Data Systems in Skilling, focusing on the role of digital platforms and data-driven approaches in strengthening skilling systems.
Major Events and Sector Platforms
NSN covered and engaged with several landmark events, including:
- DIDAC India & DIDAC Skills 2025, Asia’s largest education and skills exhibition
- Bengaluru Skill Summit 2025, positioning Karnataka as a future-ready skilling hub
- COLTE Hyderabad inauguration, strengthening logistics workforce training
- Skill Kerala Global Summit 2025, driving jobs, innovation, and global linkages
On-Ground Engagements and Thought Leadership
Throughout 2025, NSN actively participated in high-impact forums and field engagements, contributing perspectives on:
- Applied learning, competency-based education, and NEP 2020 implementation
- Industry–academia collaboration and ITI modernisation
- Inclusion, accessibility, and skilling for persons with disabilities
- Future-ready higher education and global mobility pathways
- State-led reforms in Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, and Eastern India
These engagements reinforced NSN’s role as a knowledge partner, ecosystem connector, and trusted voice in India’s skilling and education landscape.
From large-scale policy reforms and state-led initiatives to international collaborations and grassroots skilling programmes, 2025 marked a defining year for government-driven transformation in India’s skilling ecosystem. The year demonstrated how coordinated action across ministries, states, and institutions can translate vision into measurable workforce outcomes.
As India continues its journey toward a future-ready workforce, these initiatives offer valuable lessons on scale, inclusion, and industry relevance. Stay connected for Part 3 of the Year in Review 2025, where we will explore industry, academia, and workforce-led innovations shaping the next phase of skill development.
