**Executive Summary**
This report details the implementation of the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to enhance youth vocational training. It highlights the expansion of training to 169 courses across 14,688 ITIs, the introduction of 31 "New Age" trades, and the launch of the PM-SETU scheme for infrastructure upgradation. Key data includes a projected enrolment increase to 14.70 lakh by 2025-26 and the training of 27,677 instructors through 2024-25.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Training Infrastructure and Enrolment**
* The CTS is implemented through 14,688 ITIs (3,345 Government and 11,343 Private) across India.
* A total of 169 courses are offered, with 14 new courses developed and 22 existing courses revised in the last three years to meet industry standards.
* Trainee enrolment has grown from 12.51 lakh in 2022-23 to a projected 14.70 lakh in 2025-26.
**Modernization and New Age Trades**
* 31 "New Age" trades have been introduced to cover emerging sectors including Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Drones, Semiconductors, and Green Energy.
* Curricula are periodically updated in consultation with industry and academia to integrate modern tools, machinery, and pedagogy.
**Instructor Capacity Building**
* The Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) provides comprehensive training in hand-on skills and methodology.
* Training is conducted through 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), 5 Extension Centres, and 120 Institutes for Training of Trainers (ITOTs).
* 27,677 candidates were trained under CITS between the 2022-23 and 2024-25 periods.
**PM-SETU Scheme and Upgradation**
* The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) aims to upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs.
* The scheme utilizes a "Hub and Spoke" model (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs) focusing on smart classrooms, modern labs, and digital content.
* Upgradations are led by industry-driven Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to ensure local industrial relevance.
**Impact Analysis**
**Youth / Trainees**
**Impact**
Trainees gain access to industry-aligned vocational training and emerging technological fields, enhancing their readiness for wage employment and self-employment.
**Action Required**
Prospective students must apply for enrolment in the 169 available CTS courses or specialized New Age trades at affiliated ITIs.
**State/UT Governments and Administrations**
**Impact**
States hold the primary responsibility for introducing new trades and expanding seating capacity within Government ITIs.
**Action Required**
Governments must lead the selection of ITIs for the PM-SETU scheme and submit proposals for expansion/new trades in compliance with prescribed affiliation norms.
**Industry and Academia**
**Impact**
Industry stakeholders directly influence the relevance of vocational training through curriculum consultation and the management of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
**Action Required**
Collaborate with the DGT to align training with technological advancements and participate in the implementation of the PM-SETU scheme.
**Instructors / Trainers**
**Impact**
Instructors receive updated training in modern pedagogical techniques and technical skills through the CITS network to meet evolving industry requirements.
**Action Required**
Candidates seeking to become skilled manpower trainers must undergo training at NSTIs, Extension Centres, or ITOTs.
Key Entities Referenced
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): The primary vocational training initiative in India for skilling youth through 169 courses across a vast network of training institutes.
Directorate General of Training (DGT): The implementing body under the MSDE responsible for executing the Craftsmen Training Scheme and updating trade curricula.
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs): The network of over 14,000 government and private institutions across the country where training under the CTS is imparted.
Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) Scheme: An initiative launched to upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs with smart classrooms and modern labs using a Hub and Spoke model.
Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS): A program focused on augmenting trainer capacity by providing hand-on skills and training methodology to instructor trainees.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
CRAFTSMEN TRAINING SCHEME
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 2:50PM by PIB Delhi
The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE), implements the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) through a network of
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for skilling the youth. Under CTS, training is imparted in 169 courses
through 14,688 ITIs (Government - 3,345 & Private - 11,343) across the country.
The trade curriculum under CTS is updated periodically in consultation with industry, academia, and
State/UT Governments to integrate emerging technologies, modern tools & equipment, and machinery. In
addition, pedagogy and assessment systems are also strengthened. These initiatives are designed to align
training with current industry standards, improve overall quality, enrolment, and prepare trainees for both
wage employment and self-employment.
During the last three years, a total of 14 CTS courses have been developed and 22 existing courses have
been revised to align with industry requirements. The enrolment in ITIs has increased from 12.51 lakh in
year 2022-23 to 14.70 lakh in year 2025-26.
Under CTS, the DGT has introduced 31 New Age trades covering emerging areas such as artificial
intelligence, drones, cybersecurity, semiconductors and green energy. These New Age trades have been
designed in consultation with industry and other stakeholders to align training with evolving technological
advancements and emerging skill requirements. The details of these 31 New Age tradesare available at
Annexure-1.
To augment trainer capacity, the Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) is implemented with an
objective to provide comprehensive training both in hand-on skills and training methodology is imparted
to the instructor trainees to make them conversant with techniques to train skilled manpower for the
industry through a network of 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), 5 NSTI Extension Centres
and 120 Institutes for Training of Trainers (ITOTs) across the country. In the last three years, i.e. from
2022-23 to 2024-25, 27,677 candidates have been trained under CITS.
Further, The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) Scheme has
been launched with an aim to enhance the overall quality and relevance of vocational training with
upgraded labs, machines, and industry-aligned curriculum in the country. The scheme includes
upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs) in a Hub and Spoke model
wherein upgradation includes smart classrooms, modern labs, digital content, and new courses aligned toindustry needs through industry-led Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs). The selection of ITIs under the PM-
SETU Scheme is led by the respective State/UT Governments in consultation with industry, ensuring
alignment with emerging skill needs and local industrial potential.
The introduction of new trades and the expansion of seating capacity in Government ITIs are the
responsibility of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. Proposals
received in this regard are reviewed in accordance with the prescribed affiliation norms.
Under CTS, new and future-oriented tradesaligned with changing skill requirements and technological
developments are introduced from time to time by the DGT in consultation with industry and other
stakeholders.
Annexure-1
List of 31 New Age Trades
Sr. No. Trade Name
1 Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technician
2 Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter
3 Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant
4 Advance CNC Machining Technician
5 Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Programmer
6 Drone Pilot (Junior)
7 Drone Technician
8 Engineering Design Technician (Artisan Using Advanced Tool)
9 Fiber to Home Technician
10 Geo Informatics Assistant
11 Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Technician
12 Industrial Robotics and Digital Manufacturing13 Information Technology
14 Internet of Things Technician (Smart Agriculture)
15 Internet of Things Technician (Smart City)
16 Internet of Things Technician (Smart Healthcare)
17 Manufacturing Process Control & Automation
18 Mechanic Electric Vehicle
19 Multimedia, Animation & Special Effects
20 Semiconductor Technician
21 Small Hydro Power Plant Technician
22 Smartphone Technician Cum App Tester
23 Software Testing Assistant
24 Solar Technician (Electrical)
25 Technician Mechatronics
26 Virtual Analysis and Designer - FEM (Finite Element Method)
(Basic Designer and Virtual Verifier)
27 Wind Plant Technician
28 5G Network Technician
29 Cyber Security Assistant
30 Data Annotation Assistant
31 Green Hydrogen Production Technician
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
***SH
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