Parliament Question: ITI Upgradation and Industry Alignment under PM-SETU

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3486 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 ITI UPGRADATION AND INDUSTRY ALIGNMENT UNDER PM-SETU 3486: SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) the criteria used to select the 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for upgradation under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme and whether any disparity has been assessed in their distribution, State/district-wise; (b) whether the Government has conducted any industry-consultation exercise or skill-gap mapping to align the courses being introduced/upgraded under the scheme with actual current and projected industry demand, particularly in emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturing and green energy, if so, the details thereof, and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) the proposed extent and terms of private sector participation in the scheme; (d) whether private companies are likely to have a role in curriculum design, equipment procurement, faculty training or placement guarantees and if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether any time-bound targets for placement, apprenticeship absorption or wage outcomes have been fixed for students trained under upgraded ITI’s and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM- SETU) scheme envisages to enhance the overall quality and relevance of vocational training with upgraded labs, machines, and industry-aligned curriculum in the country. The key objectives of the scheme are as under: i. To improve the quality of training delivery in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs); ii. To modernize infrastructure and equipment as per industry standards; iii. To introduce industry-aligned long-term and short-term courses, especially in new and emerging sectors; iv. To strengthen industry linkage for demand-driven skilling and better employment outcomes; and v. To enhance the capacity of NSTIs for training of trainers. The scheme comprises of two components: i. Component I – Upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs (200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs) in a Hub and Spoke model wherein upgradation includes smart classrooms, modern labs, digital content, and new courses aligned to industry needs.ii. Component II – Capacity Augmentation of five NSTIs located in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana, including setting-up sector-specific National Centres of Excellence for skilling, with focus on advanced training of trainers with global partnership. The selection criteria for Government ITIs to be included under the Scheme is decided by the States/ Union Territories (UTs) in consultation with industry, ensuring alignment with emerging skill needs and local industrial potential. States/ UTs through their respective Steering Committees have the flexibility to fix appropriate eligibility criteria, such as turnover and number of employees, at the Expression of Interest (EOI) or Request for Proposal (RFP) stage, based on their local context and industrial landscape. States/ UTs accordingly invite industry participation, and industry, in response, submits a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) for the approval of the State Steering Committee and the National Steering Committee (NSC). Upon approval, the selected industry is required to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The SIPs are approved on a first-come-first-serve basis, subject to completion of the prescribed technical and financial evaluation process and therefore the question of disparity does not arise. So far, Seven (07) SIPs submitted by Anchor Industry Partners (AIPs), comprising Three from Telangana, One from Andhra Pradesh, One from Rajasthan, One from Odisha and One from Gujarat is approved. The details of the approved clusters are provided in Annexure I. (b) The curriculum review and revision process is a continuous and need-based exercise aimed at ensuring alignment with technological advancements and evolving industry requirements. The evaluation involves assessment of existing curricula with respect to emerging technologies, changing occupational standards, industry demand, employability trends, apprenticeship requirements, training outcomes, and feedback received during implementation. The curriculum revision process involves extensive consultations with stakeholders including State Governments/ UT Administrations, industry representatives, Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), NSTIs, subject matter experts, academia, employers, implementing agencies and other concerned Ministries/ Departments, wherever required. Based on the evaluation and stakeholder consultations, curricula are revised to incorporate new technologies, Industry 4.0 applications, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), automation, green and renewable energy technologies, electric mobility, digital skills, entrepreneurship, workplace safety, environmental sustainability and outcome-based learning. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has introduced 32 new-age courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), the details of which are provided in Annexure II. Since ITIs are under the administrative and financial control of State Governments, States may adopt these courses in their ITIs. (c) to (e) The industry-led SPVs under the Scheme leads the upgradation and are empowered to propose necessary interventions relating to curriculum redesign, training delivery models, infrastructure upgradation, industry exposure in alignment with local industry needs and the Scheme guidelines. The Scheme aims to enhance employability by equipping learners with industry- relevant skills, facilitating apprenticeships and practical workplace exposure, and providing access to career guidance, placement support, and self-employment opportunities through industry-led governance framework. The focus of the scheme is to equip trainees with industry-relevant skills in emerging sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, green energy, and other high-growth industrial sectors. The scheme has been approved to be implemented over a period of five years.Annexure-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3486 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 ASKED BY SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM REGARDING “ITI UPGRADATION AND INDUSTRY ALIGNMENT UNDER PM-SETU” Annexure I: Details of approved Cluster S. No. State Name Cluster Name Hub ITI Spoke ITIs Govt ITI(Women), Govt. ITI, Vishakhapatanam 1 Andhra Pradesh Visakhapatnam Cluster Kancharapalem Govt ITI ,Bobbili, Govt. ITI,Narsipatanam Govt. ITI Anandapur, Govt. ITI Koira, 2 Odisha Keonihar-Barbil Cluster Govt. ITI,Barbil Govt. ITI Karanjia, Govt. ITI Barkote Govt. ITI ,Surat (Women), Govt. ITI ,Hajira, 3 Gujarat Surat Cluster Govt. ITI, Surat Govt. ITI ,Bardoli, Govt. ITI (Women), Sachin Govt. ITI Warangal, Govt. ITI, Govt. ITI(Boys), Nalgonda 4 Telangana Old City Cluster Old City Govt. ITI Vikarabad, Govt. ITI Panjaguda Govt. ITI Nalgonda (New), Govt. ITI Marpally, 5 Telangana Patancheru Cluster Govt. ITI, Patancheru Govt. ITI Bhongir, Govt. ITI Shadnagar Govt. ITI Hathnoora, Govt. ITI, Govt. ITI Medak, 6 Telangana Sangareddy Cluster Sangareddy Govt. ITI Yellareddy, Govt. ITI Dubbaka ITI Neemrana ITI Tizara 7 Rajasthan Bhiwadi Cluster Gov ITI, Bhiwadi ITI Kishangarh Bas ITI AlwarAnnexure-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3486 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 ASKED BY SHRI KARTI P CHIDAMBARAM REGARDING “ITI UPGRADATION AND INDUSTRY ALIGNMENT UNDER PM-SETU” List of 32 New Age Trades running in ITIs: S. Trade Name No. 1 Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technician 2 Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter 3 Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant 4 Advanced CNC Machining Technician 5 Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Programmer 6 Cyber Security Assistant 7 Data Annotation Assistant 8 Drone Pilot (Junior) 9 Drone Technician 10 Engineering Design Technician (Artisan Using Advanced Tool) 11 Fiber to Home Technician 12 Geo Informatics Assistant 13 Green Hydrogen Production Technician 14 Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Technician 15 Industrial Robotics and Digital Manufacturing 16 Information Technology 17 Internet of Things Technician (Smart Agriculture) 18 Internet of Things Technician (Smart City) 19 Internet of Things Technician (Smart Healthcare) 20 Manufacturing Process Control & Automation 21 Mechanic Electric Vehicle 22 Multimedia, Animation & Special Effects 23 Semiconductor Technician 24 Small Hydro Power Plant Technician 25 Smartphone Technician Cum App Tester 26 Software Testing Assistant 27 Solar Technician (Electrical) 28 Technician Mechatronics 29 Virtual Analysis and Designer – FEM (Finite Element Method) (Basic Designer and Virtual Verifier) 30 Wind Plant Technician 31 5G Network Technician 32 Nuclear Power Plant Technician *****