The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has launched a major skilling overhaul with the selection of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) for upgradation into National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs), under the ₹60,000 crore National Scheme for ITI Upgradation approved on May 7. Minister Jayant Chaudhary chaired the ‘Skill Milan’ session with heads of the selected NSTIs in Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana, to strategize future-ready skill development.
The initiative aims to bolster instructor training, integrate work-based learning, and create strong industry linkages across key sectors such as automotive, textiles, EVs, and AI. “These NSTIs will set the pace of skill development in India,” said Chaudhary, highlighting the focus on institutional excellence and global competitiveness.
In Guwahati, industry stakeholders and skilling institutes see this as a transformative move for Northeast India’s workforce readiness. With the region’s growing textile and agro-processing sectors, local leaders believe alignment with NCoE frameworks could enhance employability and investment in Assam. The upgraded NSTIs will operate with academic and financial autonomy, offering pathways from certificate to advanced diploma under the National Credit Framework, and driving India’s vision for Viksit Bharat@2047.
