The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) conducted a workshop on July 25, 2025, in New Delhi with all Union Territories (UTs) to discuss the "National Scheme for ITI Upgradation." The scheme, approved in May 2025 following its announcement in the Union Budget 2024-25, aims to upgrade 1000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) using a hub-and-spoke model, with 200 ITIs serving as hubs and 800 as spokes. Each hub ITI will support an average of four spoke ITIs.
The workshop addressed the need for proactive participation from UTs in identifying suitable ITI clusters and engaging with potential Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs). Key features of the scheme were presented, including the provision of state-of-the-art infrastructure, machinery, and equipment to upgraded ITIs. The scheme will be co-funded by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.
The workshop also included discussions on integrating entrepreneurship modules into ITI curricula and promoting entrepreneurship as a complement to wage employment. UT representatives presented their existing skilling and entrepreneurship ecosystems, highlighting challenges and areas where support from the Ministry is needed. MSDE and the Directorate General of Training (DGT) assured the UTs of continued guidance and support.
Furthermore, sensitization sessions were held on the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) and the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal. The workshop also explored the integration of education and vocation as envisioned in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The workshop concluded with a commitment to advance the skilling and entrepreneurship ecosystem across Union Territories.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: The Indian government ministry that organized the workshop.
National Scheme for ITI Upgradation: A government scheme for upgrading Industrial Training Institutes in India.
New Delhi: The location of Kaushal Bhawan, where the workshop was held.
Union Territories: Refers to all the Union Territories of India, which participated in the workshop.
Directorate General of Training: An organization that is involved with the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.
National Council for Vocational Education and Training: A regulatory body involved in vocational education and training, whose functions were discussed at the workshop.
Asian Development Bank: An international development finance institution that co-funds the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.
The World Bank: An international financial institution that co-funds the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
MSDE Organises Workshop on the National Scheme
for ITI Upgradation with all Union Territories at
Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi
Posted On: 25 JUL 2025 5:46PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) organised a day-long workshop with the
Union Territories (UTs) at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi on the theme, “National Scheme for ITI
Upgradation”. The workshop was attended by senior officers from MSDE, DGT, NCVET, MHA and the
Union Territories.
Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE reiterated the Government’s commitment to roll out the Scheme at the
earliest. He also emphasized the need for pro-active participation from all UTs to realize the vision of the
Scheme which reflects the overall intent of the government to create a framework for government owned,
industry managed skilling institutions operated through a new institutional structure. He further stated that
there is a need for the Union Territories to identify suitable ITI clusters that can be developed under the hub-
and-spoke model, and to proactively engage with potential Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs).
Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Special Secretary/Director General (Training) elaborated upon the broad contours of the
Scheme. She also stressed upon the criticality of identifying the potential industry partners for the success of
the Scheme. A detailed presentation on the key features and intricacies of the Scheme was also made by the
officers of DGT.
Mrs. Archana Mayaram, Economic Advisor, MSDE outlined the main objectives of the workshop and
explained the overall structure and the way forward of the day long workshop.
The National Scheme for ITI upgradation was approved in May 2025, following the announcement made in
the Union Budget 2024-25. This Scheme envisages upgradation of 1000 Govt. ITIs in a hub & spoke model
as state-led, industry-managed skilling institutions. 200 ITIs will function as hub institutions and 800 as
spokes. A hub ITI will on an average have 4 spoke ITIs with all upgraded ITIs equipped with state-of-the-art
infrastructure, machinery and equipment. The Scheme would be co-funded by the Asian Development Bank
& the World Bank.
Mrs. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, Entrepreneurship made a detailed presentation underlining the importance
of integrating entrepreneurship in the ITIs. Some mechanisms were proposed to embed entrepreneurship
modules in ITI curricula. Discussions centered around ideas to promote Entrepreneurship Development as a
complementary pathway to wage employment.
Representatives from the Union Territories made presentations on their existing skilling and entrepreneurship
ecosystems. They highlighted key challenges and outlined areas where support from the Ministry would be
essential for strengthening implementation. In response, officials from MSDE and the Directorate General of
Training (DGT) acknowledged the concerns raised and assured the UTs of continued guidance, technical
support, and facilitation to address region-specific issues and enable effective rollout of the Scheme. A
sensitization session on the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) was held to
familiarize the present stakeholders with its regulatory and quality assurance functions.
A sensitization session on SIDH portal of MSDE was also conducted. SIDH presents an opportunity to the
UTs to streamline their skilling efforts, ensure real-time data integration, and enhance the efficiency and
transparency of Programme delivery.
The workshop also provided a platform to discuss the integration of education and vocation as envisioned inNEP 2020. The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to advance the skilling and entrepreneurship
ecosystem across Union Territories, with MSDE reaffirming its role in facilitating convergence, capacity
building, and guidance to meet the goal of driving excellence in Govt. owned ITIs envisioned in the new
Scheme.******
VV/SH
(Release ID: 2148465)