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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1399
ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026
PM SETU INITIATIVE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
1399# SHRI HARSH MAHAJAN:
Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:
(a) the objectives and key components of the scheme to provide support to startups and nascent
entrepreneurs in the country under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation
through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) initiative, especially in Himachal Pradesh;
(b) the number of youths/startups/entrepreneurs in Himachal Pradesh who have received skill
training, mentorship and financial support so far under this initiative and the district-wise details thereof;
(c) whether this initiative has been coordinated with Skill India, Startup India and other Central/State-
level entrepreneurship schemes in the State; and
(d) if so, its impact on employment generation, promotion of self-employment and sustainability of
startups in Himachal Pradesh?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL
DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) The Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability through Upgraded ITIs
(PM SETU) scheme 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:
i. To improve the quality of training delivery in ITIs and 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 National Skill Training Institutes (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.
(b) to (d): PM-SETU focuses on improving employability outcomes through industry-led governance,
and indirectly supports self-employment and entrepreneurship by enabling learners to acquire industry-
relevant skills, gain exposure to real work environments, and access career guidance, placement
support, and self-employment support through strengthened institutional systems and industrylinkages. The industry-led Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) under the Scheme would lead the
upgradation and be empowered to propose necessary interventions relating to curriculum redesign,
training delivery models, infrastructure upgradation, industry exposure, and placement or self-
employment facilitation, in alignment with local industry needs and the Scheme guidelines. For selection
of the industry partner, a Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) is required to be submitted in response to the
Request for Proposal (RFP). So far, twelve (12) States/UTs have floated the Expression of Interest/RFP
for inviting industry interest. The initiation of industry-led governance is subject to the approval of SIP.
PM-SETU is broadly aligned with the objectives of Skill India and is designed to enable convergence
with entrepreneurship support frameworks with relevant Central/State schemes through strengthened
industry linkages, career guidance, placement and self-employment facilitation at the institutional level.
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