India Upskills for the Future: MSDE Trains Over 5 Lakh in Emerging Technologies

New Delhi – As part of its ongoing commitment to make India future-ready, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has made significant progress in equipping youth with emerging technology skills under the Skill India Mission(SIM). The Ministry is implementing an expansive framework of training programs aimed at skilling, reskilling, and upskilling across the country, with a renewed focus on job placement and alignment with Industry 4.0 standards.

The Ministry is delivering training through schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana(PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme(NAPS), and the Craftsman Training Scheme(CTS) via ITIs. These initiatives are designed to benefit diverse sections of society and ensure India’s youth are equipped with future-ready skills.

To meet the fast-evolving demands of industries driven by technological innovation, MSDE has reoriented its training ecosystem to focus on new-age technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Robotics, Electric Vehicles (EVs), Mechatronics, Drone Technology, Cyber Security, and 5G Networks.

As of June 30, 2025, over 4.32 lakh candidates have received training in these high-demand fields under PMKVY, while 31,750 apprentices have been trained under NAPS in 69 future-oriented trades. Additionally, through the Directorate General of Training (DGT), the Ministry introduced 31 futuristic courses in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), reaching over 52,000 candidates between 2022 and 2024.

The government’s effort is supported by strategic partnerships with global technology companies such as IBM, Cisco, AWS, Microsoft, and the Future Skill Rights Network, who are helping create stronger industry linkages under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. These collaborations have enabled access to hands-on training and cutting-edge curriculum, directly benefiting trainees across state and regional levels.

Institutions such as the Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) in Ahmedabad and Mumbai, operating under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, are playing a crucial role in creating a skilled and industry-ready workforce.

In terms of job placement, earlier phases of PMKVY (1.0 to 3.0) saw 24.38 lakh candidates placed across the country. Under the current PMKVY 4.0 framework, the focus has shifted to empowering candidates with the autonomy to pursue diverse career paths. The recently launched Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) serves as an integrated digital platform connecting education, skilling, employment, and entrepreneurship, offering lifelong services to job seekers and skilled professionals.

Through SIDH, candidates can access job listings, apprenticeship opportunities, and placement assistance. Additionally, the Ministry is conducting Rozgar Melas and Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs) to bridge the gap between certified candidates and potential employers.

This update was shared in a written reply by  Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, in the Rajya Sabha