Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Education addressed questions regarding the integration of employable skills in school education from Classes 1 to 12, in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1372 on July 28, 2025. The response details government initiatives under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, including vocational training, skill development programs, and collaborations with industries and educational startups. The initiatives aim to enhance practical skills, innovation, and employability among students.
Key Points / Main Content:
Integration of Practical and Vocational Skills:
* Practical, hands-on learning is integrated from Classes 1 to 8 through activities and projects.
* Industry-aligned vocational subjects are introduced from Classes 9 to 12, as per NEP 2020.
* A 10-day bagless period for Grades 6-8 involves internships with local experts.
Samagra Shiksha Scheme:
* The scheme provides financial assistance to States/UTs for skill education from Grades 6 to 8.
* Skill courses aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) are introduced from Grades 9 to 12.
* Skill modules are offered as an additional subject in Classes IX and X and as a compulsory elective in Classes XI and XII.
* 138 Job Roles (JRs)/Skill subjects have been approved for Classes 9 to 12.
* Employability Skill modules, including communication, self-management, ICT, entrepreneurship, and green skills, are included in the curriculum.
PMKVY 4.0 Implementation:
* The Department of School Education and Literacy is implementing PMKVY 4.0 in coordination with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
* 350 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have been onboarded for skill training under PMKVY 4.0.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship:
* Over 21,700 schools have established School Innovation Councils (SIC) under the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell (MIC).
* The SIC aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and IP commercialization from Class 6 onwards.
Introduction of Specific Skills:
* NSQF-aligned Job Roles in IT, Electronics, and Manufacturing are introduced for Grades 9 to 12.
* Examples include Junior Software Developer, Data Entry Operator, Field Technician AC, and Draughtsperson.
Pilot Programs:
* Pilot programs teaching AI, robotics, coding, and product design are being run in government schools.
* States like Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh have initiated state-specific pilots using tablets, microcontrollers, and low-cost computing kits.
* Madhya Pradesh offers an AI-based course in 42 schools.
* CBSE introduced AI as a skill subject in classes 9-12 from 2019-20.
* Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) have been established in schools to promote STEM, robotics, electronics, and 3D printing.
Collaboration and Experiential Learning:
* Collaboration with local industries, MSMEs, and edtech startups is encouraged.
* Financial support is provided for engaging resource persons, Skill Knowledge Providers, Guest Faculty, and skilled rural artisans.
* Funding is available for industry visits and on-the-job training.
* AICTE is collaborating with industries and institutes to design online skill development courses integrated into the curriculum.
Employment Generation:
* AICTE data indicates an increase in student placements at the technical education level.
* Diploma-level placements increased from 1,80,866 in FY 2023-24 to 1,91,801 in FY 2024-25.
* Undergraduate-level placements increased from 4,10,843 in FY 2023-24 to 4,71,227 in FY 2024-25.
Model Schools in Aspirational Districts:
* Haryana has included model schools in aspirational districts (Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Charkhi Dadri, Nuh) under the Skill Education Scheme.
Impact Analysis:
Students:
* Impact: Students will gain practical, hands-on experience, vocational skills, and industry exposure, enhancing their employability and entrepreneurial abilities.
* Action Required: Students should actively participate in vocational courses, internships, and skill development programs offered by their schools.
Schools and Educators:
* Impact: Schools are required to integrate practical learning, vocational subjects, and skill-based training into their curriculum. Educators need to facilitate experiential learning and collaborate with industries.
* Action Required: Schools should implement the NEP 2020 guidelines, establish School Innovation Councils, engage resource persons, and organize industry visits.
State Governments/UTs:
* Impact: States/UTs receive financial assistance to implement skill education programs and need to align these programs with NSQF.
* Action Required: States/UTs should utilize the Samagra Shiksha scheme to provide skill education and introduce relevant job roles in schools.
Ministry of Education:
* Impact: The Ministry is responsible for overseeing the implementation of NEP 2020 and various skill development schemes.
* Action Required: The Ministry should continue to monitor the progress of skill development programs, facilitate collaboration with industries, and promote innovation in schools.
AICTE:
* Impact: AICTE plays a role in integrating skill development courses into technical programs and collaborating with industries.
* Action Required: AICTE should continue to design and integrate skill development courses, monitor placement trends, and support technical institutions in enhancing students' employability.
Key Entities Referenced
National Education Policy NEP 2020: A policy document by the Government of India that recommends integrating practical and industry-aligned vocational subjects in school education.
Samagra Shiksha: A Centrally Sponsored scheme implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, which includes Vocational Education as a component. It provides financial assistance to States/UTs for Skill Education.
National Skills Qualifications Framework NSQF: A framework to which skill courses under the Samagra Shiksha scheme are aligned.
PMKVY 4.0: Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, a skill development initiative implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy in coordination with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell MIC: An initiative under which the School Innovation Council SIC has been established in schools across the country to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
Atal Innovation Mission AIM: An initiative by NITI Aayog to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), robotics, electronics, and 3D printing through Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in schools.
All India Council for Technical Education AICTE: An organization that indicates an upward trend in student placements at the technical education level.
Haryana: A State in India that has included model schools in aspirational districts such as Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Charkhi Dadri, and Nuh under the Skill Education Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1372
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
Employable Skills in School Education
1372. Shri Dharambir Singh:
Dr. Thirumaavalavan Tholkappiyan:
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposed/formulated to integrate practical, hands-on, and
industry-aligned learning modules from Class 1 to 12 to nurture innovation and employable
skills in school education, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether there is any proposal to introduce courses enabling students to develop software,
electronics or manufacturing skills while in school, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of pilot programmes, if any, are being run to teach Al, robotics, coding, or product
design in government schools;
(d) whether any collaboration with local industries and ed-tech startups is being encouraged to
promote experiential learning, if so, the details thereof;
(e) the details of the increase in employment generation due to such implementation with
statistical data; and
(f) whether any model schools in aspirational districts like Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Charkhi
Dadri, or Nuh are selected for such practical education initiatives and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) The Government of India has taken significant steps to integrate practical, hands-on
learning through activities and projects from Classes 1 to 8, and industry-aligned vocational
subjects from Classes 9 to 12 as part of its commitment under the National Education Policy
(NEP) 2020. National Education Policy 2020 recommends that all students participate in a 10-
day bagless period during Grades 6-8 where they intern with local experts such as carpenters,
gardeners, potters, artists, etc. In pursuance of this recommendation, the Government in
consultation with concerned stakeholders has developed guidelines for 10 bagless days, aiming
at providing children of classes 6-8 an exposure to skill education using experiential learning
pedagogy and to make learning at schools joyful and stress free.The Department of School Education and Literacy is implementing the Centrally Sponsored
scheme of Samagra Shiksha. Vocational Education is one of the components under Samagra
Shiksha scheme, under which financial assistance is provided to States/UTs for giving exposure
to Skill Education to students of Grades 6 to 8 and introduction of Skill courses from Grades 9
to 12, which are aligned with National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). At the
Secondary level i.e., Class IX and X, skill modules are offered to the students as an additional
subject. At Sr. Secondary level, i.e., Class XI and XII, skill courses are offered as a compulsory
(elective) subject. So far 138 Job Roles (JRs) / Skill subjects have been approved to be offered
to class 9 to class 12 school students. Employability Skill module has been included in the
curriculum of Job Roles which includes Communication Skills, Self-Management Skills,
Information and Communication Technology Skills, Entrepreneurship Skills, and Green Skills.
In coordination with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Department
of School Education and Literacy is implementing PMKVY 4.0 in the school education sector.
For instance, 350 Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) have already been onboarded for providing Skill
training to In-School/Out of school youth under PMKVY 4.0. for promoting skill development
in schools, aiming to equip students for the demands of 21st century knowledge economy.
Under the aegis of the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), the School Innovation
Council (SIC) has been established in over 21,700+ schools across the country. The primary
goal of SIC is to institutionalize a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and
IP commercialization among students from Class 6 to 12, with activities adaptable for even
younger grades, as per the school’s capacity.
(b) Under 138 approved NSQF-aligned Job Roles (JRs), various job roles in the sectors of
Information Technology, Electronics, and Manufacturing have been introduced for Grades 9
to 12. These include:
Software & IT: Junior Software Developer, Data Entry Operator, CRM Domestic Voice,
Artificial Intelligence Assistant, Web Developer, Cyber Security Associate, Cloud Computing
Associate.
Electronics & Hardware: Field Technician – AC, CCTV Installation Technician, Drone
Service Technician, Solar PV Installer, Home Appliance Technician.
Manufacturing & Civil Works: Draughtsperson (Mechanical/Civil), Assistant Mason,
Construction Painter, Brick Mason.
(c) Several pilot programmes are being run to teach Al, robotics, coding, or product design
in government schools. These include Samagra Shiksha-funded project, under which some
states like Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
have initiated state-specific pilots offering robotics and coding classes using tablets,
microcontrollers, and low-cost computing kits. Madhya Pradesh is offering AI-based course in
42 schools under the pilot project. CBSE has also introduced AI as a skill subject in classes 9-
12 from 2019-20 onwards.
Under Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) by NITI Aayog, Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) have been
established in schools to promote STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics), robotics, electronics, and 3D printing.(d) The Government encourages collaboration with local industries, MSMEs, and ed-tech
startups to promote experiential and skill-based learning. Under the Vocational Education
component of Samagra Shiksha scheme, the Government provides financial support for
engaging resource persons including Skill Knowledge Providers, Guest Faculty, including
skilled, semi- skilled rural artisans and crafts persons. There is also provision for funding
industry visits, and on the job training to school students.
AICTE is making concerted efforts towards skill development and integration with its technical
programs. It is collaborating with various industries and institutes to design skill development
courses in online mode that are integrated into the regular curriculum. These courses are aimed
at enhancing the practical skills of students and making them more employable.
(e) Data available with the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) indicates
an upward trend in student placements at the technical education level. As per self-disclosed
information by AICTE-approved institutions, the number of diploma-level students placed
increased from 1,80,866 in the financial year 2023–24 to 1,91,801 in 2024–25. Similarly, at
the undergraduate level, placements have risen from 4,10,843 in 2023–24 to 4,71,227 in 2024–
25.
(f) The State of Haryana has included model schools in aspirational districts such as
Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Charkhi Dadri, and Nuh under the Skill Education Scheme to impart
practical training to students and their details may be seen at Annexure.
*****Annexure
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (f) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1372 ANSWERED ON 28TH JULY, 2025 ASKED BY
SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH AND DR. THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOLKAPPIYAN,
HON’BLE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING “EMPLOYABLE SKILLS
IN SCHOOL EDUCATION”
Sr. District School Name Sector/Skill- Sector/Skill-2 Sector/Skill-3
No. 1
1 BHIWANI VSSIS GMSSSS IT/ITeS BFSI NA
TOSHAM
2 BHIWANI GMSSSS SIWANI Automotive Healthcare NA
MANDI
3 BHIWANI GMSSSS BAWANI IT/ITeS Automotive NA
KHERA
4 BHIWANI GMSSSS LOHARU Private Automotive NA
Security
5 BHIWANI GMSSSS BHIWANI Retail Automotive NA
6 BHIWANI GMSSSS DULHERI IT/ITeS Healthcare Beauty and
Wellness
7 BHIWANI GMSSSS JHUMPA IT/ITeS Healthcare NA
KHURD
8 CHARKHI DADRI PM SHRI GMSSSS IT/ITeS Retail NA
BAUND KALAN
9 CHARKHI DADRI GMSSS CHARKHI Physical Healthcare NA
DADRI Education
10 CHARKHI DADRI GMSSSS BADHRA Retail IT/ITeS NA
11 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS ATELI IT/ITeS BFSI NA
12 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS IT/ITeS Healthcare Beauty and
DHANAUNDA Wellness
13 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS DHOLERA Beauty and Healthcare NA
Wellness
14 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS KANINA IT/ITeS Healthcare NA
15 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS NARNAUL Beauty and Healthcare NA
Wellness
16 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS SATNALI IT/ITeS Apparels, Made NA
ups and Home
Furnishing
17 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS SIHMA IT/ITeS BFSI NA
18 MAHENDRAGARH GMSSSS Beauty and Healthcare NA
MAHENDERGARH Wellness
19 NUH GMSSSS TAURU IT/ITeS Private Security Automotive
20 NUH GMSSSS SAROLI IT/ITeS Healthcare NA
21 NUH GMSSSS NAGINA IT/ITeS Automotive NA
22 NUH GMSSSS DOHA Agriculture Automotive NA
23 NUH GMSSSS Automotive Retail NA
RANIYALA
24 NUH GMSSSS NUH Agriculture Physical NA
Education
*****