Parliament Question: Implementation and Outcomes of NSQF

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5941 ANSWERED ON 30.03.2026 IMPLEMENTATION AND OUTCOMES OF NSQF 5941. SHRI C N ANNADURAI: SHRI SELVAM G: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has reviewed the implementation and outcomes of the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) following recent reviews of multiple skill qualifications across the high-growth sectors; (b) the number of NSQF-aligned qualifications, training programmes, and Sector Skill Council certifications currently operational in the country and specifically in Tamil Nadu during the last three years and the current year; (c) whether any assessment has been made regarding the of gaps between NSQF-certified training and actual employment outcomes, particularly in emerging sectors, such as electronics, logistics and advanced manufacturing; (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure alignment of NSQF qualifications with industry demand, apprenticeships and higher education pathways; and (e) the corrective measures being implemented to strengthen recognition of prior learning, mobility between vocational and academic streams and adoption of NSQF standards by training institutions and employers? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) to (e): Under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of skill development centres / institutes etc. under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the society across the country including the state of Tamilnadu. The SIM aims at enabling youth of India to get future ready and equipped with industry relevant skills. Government of India launched the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) in December 2013 and was rationalized and notified in June, 2023. NSQF is an outcome and competency- based framework which organizes qualifications according to a series of levels of knowledge, skills, aptitude, and responsibility levels defined in terms of learning outcomes which the learner must acquire through formal, non-formal or informal learning which may comprise of academics, vocational education, training & skilling and experiential learning including relevant experienceand proficiency/ professional levels acquired, subject to assessment. The NSQF is segregated from Level 1 to 8, and each level represents a different level of skills, complexity, knowledge, responsibility and autonomy. NSQF provides for integrating and creditizing vocational education, training and skill learning in various dimensions of academics, skilling and experiential learning including relevant experience and proficiency/ professional levels acquired, subject to assessment. It establishes academic equivalence between vocational & general education while enabling mobility within & between them and recognize learning through close partnership with industry and employers through internships apprenticeships and on the job training across all sectors. As on 31.12.2025, a total of 9549 qualifications has been NSQF aligned and approved, out of which 3122 qualifications (including NOS and MC) are active and valid, while 6427 qualifications have been archived so far. Of the 3122 qualifications, 502 are National Occupation Standards (NOS) and 268 are Micro-credentials (MC). These active qualifications also include 678 future qualifications from various domains i.e AI/ML, Big data, IoT, green Energy, Semi-Conductors etc. Around 1.40 crore candidates has been trained in last three years and in current year upto 31.12.2025 in India out of which 7.28 lakh candidates were trained in the state of Tamil Nadu under various schemes of this Ministry. Skill Gap studies conducted from time to time provide information on the skills needed and the skill gaps in various sectors. Such studies guide the interventions of the Government aimed at preparing the workforce as per the industry needs. Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) have undertaken skill gap studies across sectors including sectors such as Electronics, Logistics, Advance Manufacturing, etc. since 2019, providing demand–supply assessments and manpower requirement projections. Further, to synergize initiatives of skill development in the country and to fulfil the regional skill requirements, the schemes of MSDE focus on implementation of training interventions with participation of States and Districts through State Skill Development Mission (SSDMs) and District Skill Committees (DSCs). DSCs identify sectors with employment opportunities as well as the associated demand for skilling in the district, and map the available facilities for Skill Training. Skill Development Programmes of the Government are designed and implemented to bridge identified skill gaps across sectors. To align skill development programs with the industrial requirements in different sectors, and thereby improving the employability of the skilled manpower, the following specific steps have been taken by MSDE: i. National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) has been set up as an overarching regulator establishing regulations and standards to ensure quality in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) space. ii. The Awarding Bodies recognised by NCVET are expected to develop the qualifications as per the industry demand and map them with the identified occupations as per the National Classification of Occupations, 2015 and obtain industry validations. iii. 36 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), led by industry leaders in the respective sectors, have been set up which identify the skill development needs of respective sectors as well as to determine skill competency standards. iv. Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of MSDE is implementing Flexi MoU Scheme and Dual System of Training (DST) which are meant to provide training to ITI students in industrial environment as per their requirements. v. Under PMKVY, the new age/future skills job-roles have been specially aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements in areas like AI/ML, Robotics, Mechatronics, Drone Technology, etc. for upcoming market demand and industry requirements.vi. DGT has introduced new age /future skills courses under CTS to provide training in emerging areas such as 5G Network Technician, Artificial Intelligence Programming assistant, Cyber Security Assistant, Drone Technician etc. vii. DGT has signed MoU with IT Tech companies like IBM, CISCO, Microsoft, AWS etc. to ensure industry linkages for the institutes at the state and regional levels. These partnerships facilitate the provision of technical and professional skills training in modern technologies. viii. Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) established at Ahmedabad and Mumbai, in Public Private Partnership (PPP) Mode, provide training to create a pool of industry-ready workforce for Industry, equipped with cutting-edge technology and hands-on training. ix. Kaushal Melas and Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAMs) are organised to facilitate the placements and apprenticeship opportunities to the certified candidates. In addition, the National Education Policy 2020 lays emphasis on integration of vocational education programs with mainstream education in all educational institutions in a phased manner. The National Credit Framework (NCrF) has been developed as a comprehensive credit accumulation & transfer framework encompassing elementary, school, higher, and vocational education & training. NCrF integrates creditization of learning in various dimensions i.e. academics, vocational skills and experiential learning including relevant experience and proficiency/ professional levels acquired. The University Grant Commission (UGC) has also mandated that upto 50% of the total credit requirement of an UG/PG program can be fulfilled through skill courses including NSQF aligned qualifications. *****