Parliament Question: Training for Indian Workers

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3621 ANSWERED ON- 13/03/2026 TRAINING OF INDIAN WORKERS †3621. SHRI ARUN GOVIL

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the number and names of countries from which demand for Indian workers has increased during the last three years, year-wise;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to train such workers for overseas employment, particularly with regard to imparting training in the language of the concerned countries as such skilled workers require appropriate training to work abroad;

(c) whether the Government proposes to establish dedicated training institutes to train workers intending to go abroad;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government has any proposal to establish such a training centre in Meerut city of the western Uttar Pradesh? 1ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA) (a to e) Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreements (MMPAs) are bilateral mobility agreements between India and countries like the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Finland and the EU to facilitate smoother movement of skilled workers, students and researchers.

India has signed Labour Mobility Agreements with Japan, Portugal, Mauritius, Israel, Taiwan, Malaysia and Russia and Labour Welfare Agreements with GCC countries and Jordan. These agreements with destination countries provide robust framework for legal migration. The demand for Indian workers has also been strongly indicated by Israel and Japan. The Labour Mobility Agreement signed with Russia on 5th December 2025 establishes a framework for the movement of skilled workers from India to Russia and aims to promote safe and mutually beneficial migration between the two countries. The Mobility Arrangment for Talented Early- Career Professional Scheme (MATES) of Austrailia provides 3,000 annual spots for Indian graduates to work for up to two years in fields like engineering, IT and renewable energy. The Young Professionals Scheme of the UK provides 3,000 places annually to Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK for up to two years without needing employer sponsorship.

Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PKVY), a joint collaborative partnership between Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Ministry of Skill 2Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), aims at enhancing the skills set of potential emigrant workers in select sectors and job roles, in line with international standards, to facilitate their overseas employment. The scheme comprises of two components. The first one is technical top-up training, involving recognition of prior learning, assessment and certification provided by MSDE, through the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC). The second one is training programme on the soft skills, called the Pre-Departure Orientation and Training (PDOT), imparted by the MEA in collaboration with NSDC, State Governments and other partners.

Government of India started PDOT programmes in 2018, to enhance soft skills of prospective Indian migrant workers, in terms of culture, language, tradition and local rules and regulations of the destination country, and to sensitize migrant workers about pathways to safe and legal migration and various government programmes for their welfare and protection.

According to available information, MSDE proposed establishment of 30 Skill India International Centers (SIICs) across various states. At present, 7 SIICs have been operationalised in Varanasi, Bhubaneshwar, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Ludhiana, Bengaluru, Guwahati. Language training is also imparted at SIICs.

MSDE is training Indian workforce as per international standards and requirement of industries/overseas employers. Since 2023, a total number of 2,910 candidates have been trained (domain training and language training) at SIIC-Varanasi and SIIC-Bhubaneshwar. Further, 3,499 candidates 3have been provided orientation/refresher training at SIIC-Varanasi for international opportunities. Moreover, SIIC-Varanasi has facilitated the deployment of 433 candidates.

Meerut is among the identified locations for SIIC by MSDE. ***** 4