New Delhi– In a landmark celebration marking a decade of empowering India’s youth, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, inaugurated a week-long national observance of the 10-year journey of the Skill India Mission on World Youth Skills Day.
A Decade of Transformation: ‘Kaushal ka Dashak’- Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary
Reflecting on the journey so far, Shri Chaudhary described the milestone as “Kaushal ka Dashak,” a decade of empowering over 6 crore citizens through diverse skilling programs, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship initiatives, and promotion of traditional trades. These efforts have contributed significantly to making India’s workforce more competitive and globally recognized.
“Indian workers are known the world over for their discipline and dedication. Through the Skill India Mission, the Prime Minister gave this potential a national direction,” Shri Chaudhary said.
Unified National Approach to Skilling
The Minister outlined how previously fragmented skilling initiatives were unified under a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, ensuring strategic convergence, high quality, and scalability. Flagship schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) have trained more than 1.64 crore youth, while over 14,500 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) have been reformed to improve governance and curriculum relevance.
Towards a Future-Ready Workforce
Looking ahead, Shri Chaudhary announced that the National Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Policy — in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) — will introduce a new paradigm in skilling, upskilling, and reskilling the workforce. He also spoke of the ₹60,000 crore ITI Revamp Scheme, which includes ₹10,000 crore in CSR funding, aimed at increasing industry involvement in curriculum design, certification, and training standards.
“We are moving beyond funding. We want industries to shape the future of training — this is how we create employable, globally-competitive youth,” he emphasized.
ITI Reforms and Apprenticeship Expansion
The Ministry has de-affiliated over 4.5 lakh unutilized ITI seats in recent years and is taking action on another 99,000 seats, aiming for a quality-driven approach. An 11% increase in admissions in 2024 indicates rising trust in vocational training institutions.
Shri Chaudhary also highlighted key decisions from the 38th Central Apprenticeship Council (CAC) meeting held on May 26, 2025, including a 36% increase in apprenticeship stipends and a special incentive scheme for candidates from the North Eastern Region, offering an extra ₹1,500 per month to enhance regional participation and equity.
Nationwide Celebrations & Future Vision: Bharat SkillNxt 2025
The week-long celebration will feature events, exhibitions, and workshops across India’s skill centres, ITIs, and educational institutions. The festivities will culminate in the ‘Bharat SkillNxt 2025’ mega event on July 22 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, where the government will unveil a series of new initiatives — including a dedicated Artificial Intelligence skilling program for school students.
Commitment to Viksit Bharat @2047
In his closing remarks, Shri Chaudhary reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating an inclusive, innovative, and globally respected skilling ecosystem:
“India’s youth are our greatest strength. As we march towards Viksit Bharat by 2047, it is their skill, spirit, and innovation that will shape our collective destiny.”
Source: PIB
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