Parliament Question: Skilling for Emerging Technology in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1320 ANSWERED ON 27/07/2026 SKILLING FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGY IN TAMIL NADU 1320. DR. T SUMATHY ALIAS THAMIZHACHI THANGAPANDIAN: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the current manpower gaps in sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, Electric Vehicle (EVs) and advanced manufacturing in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof; (b) the manner in which the Government is aligning skilling programmes in Tamil Nadu with industry demand in EVs, electronics and emerging technologies through curriculum revision, apprenticeship-linked training and industry partnerships, along with the outcomes achieved so far; (c) the total number of Industrial Training Institute (ITIs), polytechnics, engineering institutions and training centres in Tamil Nadu that have been upgraded with industry-relevant courses in EVs, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and manufacturing process control during the last five years and the current year; and (d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that skilling remains accessible to students, workers and jobseekers across rural and semi-urban areas of Tamil Nadu? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) & (b): To identify the skill development needs of respective sectors as well as to determine skill competency standards, 36 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) have been set-up which are led by industry leaders in the respective sectors. Skill Gap studies are conducted by Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) from time to time, which guide the interventions of the Government aimed at preparing the workforce as per the industry needs. Details of the skill gap studies undertaken by Sector Skill Councils in areas like AI, green energy, semi-conductors and logistics are as under: Name of SSC Name of Skill Gap Study NASSCOM (IT-ITeS SSC) Talent Demand & Supply Report: AI & Big Data Analytics Skill Council for Green Jobs Skill Gap Report for Solar PV, Thermal, Wind & Small Hydro Electronics Sector Skills Council of The Skill Requirement & Job Potential in Indian Electronics India Industry Logistics Sector Skill Council Skill Gap and Manpower Demand Report Further, District Skill Committees (DSCs), set up across all States/UTs, are mandated with formulating District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs) to promote decentralized planning for skill development and implementation at the grassroots level. The DSDPs identify sectors with employment opportunities as well as the associated demand for skilling in the district, and map the available facilities for Skill Training. The respective State Skill Development Mission (SSDM) collates these District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs) into State Skill Development Plan (SSDP). However, no SSDP has been submitted by Tamil Nadu so far to assess the manpowergaps in the specific sectors like electronics, semiconductors, electric vehicle and advanced manufacturing. In order to align the skilling programmes with industry demand in emerging technologies, the following specific steps have been taken by MSDE across the country including Tamil Nadu: ▪ 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. NCVET recognises the industry bodies as the Awarding Bodies (ABs) and/or Assessment Agencies (AAs). ▪ The Awarding Bodies 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. NCVET has approved 10209 qualifications as per the industry requirements, out of which 2975 qualifications are valid and active, and 7234 qualifications are archived. ▪ Directorate General of Training (DGT) is implementing Flexi MoU Scheme and Dual System of Training (DST) in collaboration with industries to provide training to ITI students in real industrial environment. ▪ DGT has signed MoU with IT Tech companies like IBM, Microsoft, Autodesk, AWS, Shell, 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. ▪ 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. ▪ DGT has introduced new age /future skills courses under CTS to provide training in emerging areas such as 5G Network Technician, AI Programming assistant, Cyber Security Assistant, Drone Technician etc. ▪ Two (02) Indian Institute of Skills (IIS) have been established at Ahmedabad and Mumbai, in Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with an aim to align industry-ready workforce to emerging economic opportunities. ▪ 36 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs), led by industry leaders in the respective sectors, have been set up which are mandated to identify the skill development needs of respective sectors as well as to determine skill competency standards. (c): The schemes of MSDE are demand driven and training centres under these schemes are set up or engaged on need basis. These training centres cater to various sectoral requirements including the industry-relevant courses in electric vehicles, robotics, internet of things, artificial intelligence and manufacturing process control. Details of the training centres set-up or engaged under the schemes of MSDE as on 30.06.2026 is as under: State/UT PMKVY 4.0 JSS NAPS ITIs Centres (STT+SP)* centers Establishments Govt. Pvt. Overall 13,633 294 57,935 3,328 10,528 Tamil Nadu 530 9 3,446 92 323 * Short-term Training (STT) and Special Projects (SP) up to 30.06.2026 Tamil Nadu has ramped up its technical education and vocational training infrastructure. State-led modernization programs and public-private partnerships have upgraded hundreds of institutions, transforming them into Industry 4.0 technology centers equipped with courses in Electric Vehicles (EVs), robotics, IoT, AI, and manufacturing process control. (d): In addition to setting-up or engaging the skill training centres across the country, the Government of India has inter-alia taken the following steps to ensure that skilling remains accessible across India, including rural and semi-urban areas of Tamil Nadu:▪ MSDE has launched Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a unified platform that integrates skilling, education, employment, and entrepreneurship ecosystems to provide a life-long array of services. Through Skill India Digital Hub, candidates can have access to skill training, jobs and apprenticeship opportunities. The details of the trained candidates are available on SIDH portal for connecting with potential employers. ▪ Further, in order to enhance the overall quality and relevance of vocational training in the country, Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM SETU) scheme inter-alia aims to upgrade 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. Also, it aims to augment capacity 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. ▪ Ministry of Rural Development drives rural skill training primarily through two dedicated national initiatives i.e., Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs). DDU-GKY is a demand-driven, placement-linked skill training program focused on converting rural poor youth into an economically independent workforce. RSETIs are dedicated infrastructure setups at the district level managed by banks, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment among rural youth. *****