MSDE Celebrates Young Innovators at ‘Kaushalta se Udyamita’ Felicitation Ceremony at NSTI Bengaluru

**Executive Summary** The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) held the "Kaushalta se Udyamita: Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha" felicitation ceremony on March 11, 2026, at NSTI Bengaluru. This initiative aimed to foster entrepreneurship among skilled youth, with a national-level competition involving 773 trainees across five sectors. The event recognized and awarded cash prizes to the top 15 shortlisted ideas, with the final round concluding on March 10, 2026. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Initiative and Purpose:** * The "Kaushalta se Udyamita: Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha" felicitation ceremony was organized to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship in India's skilling ecosystem. * The initiative encourages trainees to convert their technical skills into innovative ideas and entrepreneurial ventures. * It aims to foster a culture of enterprise creation among the country's skilled youth. * **Collaboration and Implementation:** * The program was a collaboration between MSDE, the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF), and Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), an incubator of BITS Pilani. * The initiative was implemented across all National Skills Training Institutes (NSTI) nationwide. * **Competition Details:** * A national-level competition was held, covering five key sectors: IT & ITeS, Automotive, Apparel, Electronics & Hardware, and Manufacturing. * A total of 773 trainees participated, showcasing innovative ideas and solutions. * After multiple evaluation stages, the top 15 ideas were shortlisted and presented before an expert jury in the final pitch round. * **Awards and Recognition:** * Sector-wise cash prizes were awarded to recognise entrepreneurial thinking. * The First Prize winner received ₹1,00,000, the Second Prize winner received ₹75,000, and the Third Prize winner received ₹50,000. * **Event Highlights:** * The ceremony was attended by DGT Director General Shri Dilip Kumar, who emphasized nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset and complementing skilling with innovation. * PIEDS, BITS Pilani presented the journey of the program and the mentorship provided. * The event was graced by senior officials from MSDE and DGT, representatives from industry and incubation centers, mentors, faculty, and trainees. **Impact Analysis** **Trainees** * **Impact:** Trainees have been provided a platform to transform their technical skills into innovative ideas and entrepreneurial ventures, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset and encouraging them to become job creators. They received recognition and financial incentives for their innovative ideas. * **Action Required:** Continue to dream big, work towards transforming their ideas into impactful outcomes, and refine and develop their ideas with ongoing mentorship. **NSTIs and MSDE Ecosystem** * **Impact:** The initiative strengthens the NSTI ecosystem by promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, showcasing the potential of skilled youth and contributing to India's economic growth through sustainable enterprises. * **Action Required:** Continue to sustain collaborative initiatives with partners like PIEDS and BITS Pilani, and foster a culture that encourages creativity and entrepreneurial exploration among trainees. **PIEDS, BITS Pilani** * **Impact:** PIEDS, BITS Pilani has played a key role in incubating and mentoring young innovators, contributing to the program's success. * **Action Required:** Continue mentoring the winners and guiding them in refining and developing their ideas, and sustain collaborative initiatives with DGT and MSDE in the future.

Key Entities Referenced