**Executive Summary**
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 ITIs and NSTIs. The scheme aims to skill the youth of the country, and it has been updated to include 31 New Age trades. The Cabinet has approved PM SETU for upgrading 1,000 ITIs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS)**
* Implemented by the DGT under MSDE through ITIs and NSTIs.
* Offers training in 169 trades through 14,688 ITIs and 32 NSTIs.
* Course curriculum is periodically updated to integrate emerging technologies and modern tools.
* Approximately 14.70 lakh trainees are enrolled in the current academic session (2025–26).
* **New Age Trades**
* 31 New Age trades have been introduced, covering areas such as AI, IoT, renewable energy, and 3D printing.
* A list of these trades is available in Annexure-1.
* **PM SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs)**
* Approved by the Cabinet with an estimated cost of ₹60,000 crore.
* Aims to upgrade 1,000 ITIs through hub-and-spoke arrangements.
* Course content and design will be aligned with industry skill needs, and new courses will be introduced.
* **Training Courses under CTS**
* Designed to impart basic skills and knowledge for wage and self-employment.
* Trainees are assessed through the All India Trade Test conducted by DGT.
* Successful candidates are awarded National Trade Certificates.
* Approximately 97.36 lakh candidates have been certified since the 2014–15 session.
* **Annexure 1 (List of New Age Trades under CTS)**
* Includes trades like 5G Network Technician, Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technician, and Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter.
* Specifies the duration (ranging from six months to two years) and NSQF level for each trade.
**Impact Analysis**
**Trainees**
* **Impact**: Trainees will have access to updated and industry-relevant training programs, particularly in emerging technology areas.
* **Action Required**: Enroll in CTS courses and successfully complete the All India Trade Test to obtain National Trade Certificates.
**Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs)**
* **Impact**: ITIs and NSTIs will be involved in delivering updated training programs and integrating new technologies into their curriculum. The PM SETU scheme will involve the upgrading of 1,000 ITIs.
* **Action Required**: Implement updated CTS courses, including the 31 New Age trades, and participate in the PM SETU scheme for ITI upgrades.
**Industries**
* **Impact**: Industries will benefit from a skilled workforce trained in current and emerging technologies, aligning with their skill requirements.
* **Action Required**: Collaborate with ITIs and State Governments to align course content and design with industry skill needs, participate in industry-led Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) under the PM SETU scheme.
**State/UT Governments**
* **Impact**: State/UT Governments will be involved in the implementation and monitoring of the CTS and PM SETU schemes, particularly in collaborating with ITIs and industries.
* **Action Required**: Collaborate with the DGT, ITIs, and industries to integrate emerging technologies and align training with regional skill needs.
Key Entities Referenced
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): A scheme implemented by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) to provide skills training through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
PM SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs): A scheme approved by the Cabinet for upgrading ITIs with a focus on aligning course content with industry needs.
Directorate General of Training (DGT): The organization under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) responsible for implementing the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS).
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): The ministry overseeing the Directorate General of Training (DGT) and the implementation of the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS).
Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs): Network of institutes through which the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) is implemented.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
CRAFTSMEN TRAINING SCHEME
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 5:22PM 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) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) for skilling the youth of
the country. At present, training under CTS is offered in 169 trades through 14,688 ITIs (Government –
3,345 and Private – 11,343) and 32 NSTIs. In the current academic session, i.e., 2025–26, 14.70 lakh
trainees have been enrolled under CTS in ITIs and NSTIs.
The course curriculum under CTS is updated periodically in consultation with industry, academia, and
State/UT Governments to integrate emerging technologies, modern tools, equipment, and machinery,
ensuring that training remains aligned with current skill requirements of Industries.
Out of 169 trades under CTS, 31 New Age trades have been introduced covering areas such as Artificial
Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), renewable energy and 3D printing. List of these 31 New Age
trades is available at Annexure-1.
In addition, The Cabinet has approved PM SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability
Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) at an estimated cost of ₹60,000 crore (Central Share: ₹30,000
crore, State Share: ₹20,000 crore and Industry Share: ₹10,000 crore) for upgradation of 1,000 ITIs
through hub-and-spoke arrangements in collaboration with State Governments and industry. Under the
scheme, course content and design are proposed to be aligned with industry skill needs and new courses
are proposed to be introduced in emerging areas, through the industry-led Special Purpose Vehicles
(SPVs) under the Scheme.
The training courses under CTS are designed to impart basic skills and knowledge in the respective trades
so as to prepare trainees for wage employment including self-employment. Upon completion of training,
trainees are assessed through the All India Trade Test conducted by DGT, and successful candidates are
awarded National Trade Certificates. Since the 2014–15 session, around 97.36 lakh candidates have been
certified across various trades.
Annexure - 1
List of New Age trades under CTS
S. No. Name of course Duration NSQF* Level
1. 5G Network Technician One year 4.5
2. Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technician Two Year 3.5
3. Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter Two Year 44. Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant One year 3.5
5. CNC machining Technician Two Year 4
6. Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Programmer One year 3.5
7. Cyber Security Assistant One year 3.5
8. Data Annotation Assistant One year 3.5
9. Drone Pilot (Junior) Six Month 3
10. Drone Technician Six Months 3
11. Engineering Design Technician One year 3.5
12. Fiber to Home Technician Six months 3
13. Geo Informatics Assistant One year 3.5
14. Green Hydrogen Production Technician One Year 3.5
15. Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Technician Two Years 4.0
16. Industrial Robotics and Digital Manufacturing One year 3.5
17. Information Technology Two Year 4
18. Internet of Things Technician (Smart Agriculture) One year 3.5
19. Internet of Things Technician (Smart City) One year 3.5
20. Internet of Things Technician (Smart Healthcare) One year 3.5
21. Manufacturing Process Control & Automation One year 3.5
22. Mechanic Electric Vehicle Two Year 4
23. Multimedia, Animation & Special Effects One year 3.5
24. Semiconductor Technician One Year 4.5
25. Small Hydro Power Plant Technician Two Year 426. Smartphone Technician Cum App Tester 6 Months 3.5
27. Software Testing Assistant One year 4.5
28. Solar Technician (Electrical) One year 3.5
29. Technician Mechatronics Two Year 4
30. Virtual Analysis and Designer - FEM (Finite Element Two Year 4
Method)
31. Wind Plant Technician Two Year 4
*NSQF - National Skill Qualification Framework
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
(Release ID: 2226501) Visitor Counter : 70
Read this release in: Urdu