**Executive Summary**
The Prime Minister announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur, in collaboration with the Government of the French Republic under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. This was announced during a joint press statement with the President of France, marking the India-France Year of Innovation. The establishment of the India–France National Centre of Excellence in Aviation marks a significant step in strengthening India's skilling architecture, reinforcing global partnerships and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **NCOE Purpose and Focus:**
* The NCOE will focus on advanced skill training in aeronautics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), airport operations, defence manufacturing and allied domains.
* It will strengthen India's capacity in aviation skilling while supporting the country's growing aerospace and defence ecosystem.
* **Collaboration and Intent:**
* A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been exchanged between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, and the Government of the French Republic to collaborate on the establishment of this Centre under the PM-SETU scheme.
* The LoI builds upon the India-France Strategic Partnership and the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in 2025 in the field of skill development and vocational education and training.
* **Collaboration Details:**
* The collaboration includes co-designed curricula, structured training-of-trainers programmes, periodic joint review of programmes, exchange initiatives, language training and development of structured mobility pathways, along with cooperation in aeronautics, space and allied domains.
* **PM-SETU Scheme:**
* PM-SETU aims to upgrade 1000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country.
* The scheme modernises infrastructure, aligning curricula with industry demand and strengthening employability outcomes, with an overall outlay of ₹60,000 crore.
* Other proposed National Centres of Excellence will cater to sectoral priorities aligned with regional industrial strengths, including advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies and high-growth service sectors at Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bhubaneswar.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Youth**
* **Impact:** Enhanced skill development opportunities in aeronautics, defence, and advanced manufacturing, leading to better employment prospects.
* **Action Required:** Explore and participate in the training programs offered by the NCOE at Kanpur.
**Stakeholder: Aviation and Defence Industry**
* **Impact:** Access to a pipeline of globally competent aviation professionals and skilled workforce.
* **Action Required:** Engage with the NCOE to align training programs with industry needs.
**Stakeholder: Government of India**
* **Impact:** Strengthening of the national skilling architecture, enhancement of the India-France Strategic Partnership, and advancement of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
* **Action Required:** Support and monitor the implementation of the PM-SETU scheme and the NCOE at Kanpur.
Key Entities Referenced
PM-SETU: Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs scheme under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. Aims to upgrade 1000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country.
National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics at Kanpur: Aeronautics and Defence skilling center in Kanpur, established in collaboration with the Government of the French Republic.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): The ministry responsible for the PM-SETU scheme and collaboration with France for the skilling center.
France: Partner country involved in establishing the skilling center through the India-France Strategic Partnership.
National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur: Location of the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Prime Minister Announces India–France National
Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics at Kanpur
under PM-SETU
Posted On: 19 FEB 2026 5:11PM by PIB Delhi
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence
(NCoE) for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at National Skill Training Institute (NSTI), Kanpur, in
collaboration with the Government of the French Republic under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and
Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme of Ministry of Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
The Prime Minister announced this statement was made during a joint press statement with the President
of France while inaugurating the India–France Year of Innovation and related cooperation initiatives,
including the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics.
The proposed NCoE at Kanpur will focus on advanced skill training in aeronautics, Maintenance, Repair
and Overhaul (MRO), airport operations, defence manufacturing and allied domains. It is envisaged as a
world-class institution that will strengthen India’s capacity in aviation skilling while supporting the
country’s growing aerospace and defence ecosystem.
Minister of State (Independent Charge), for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State
for Education, Government of India, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “Under the visionary leadership of the
Prime Minister, PM-SETU is redefining the future of India’s ITI ecosystem. The National Centre of
Excellence in Aviation at Kanpur will not only create a pipeline of globally competent aviation
professionals but also deepen India’s strategic partnership with France in emerging and advance
technology sectors. This initiative reflects our commitment to aligning skills with global standards,
enabling mobility, and preparing our youth for emerging opportunities in aeronautics, defence and
advanced manufacturing.”
A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been exchanged between the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, and the Government of the French Republic to
collaborate on the establishment of this Centre under the PM-SETU scheme. The intent builds upon the
India–France Strategic Partnership and the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed in 2025 in the
field of skill development and vocational education and training.
The proposed collaboration envisages co-designed curricula, structured training-of-trainers programmes,
periodic joint review of programmes, exchange initiatives, language training and development of
structured mobility pathways, along with cooperation in aeronautics, space and allied domains. The Letter
of Intent serves as a record of intent pending the execution of a specific agreement governing the activities
contemplated under this initiative.The establishment of the India–France National Centre of Excellence in Aviation marks a significant step
in strengthening India’s skilling architecture, reinforcing global partnerships and advancing the vision of
Viksit Bharat 2047 through high-quality, industry-integrated vocational education and training.
With an overall outlay of ₹60,000 crore, PM-SETU aims to upgrade 1000 Industrial Training Institutes
(ITIs) across the country, modernising infrastructure, aligning curricula with industry demand and
strengthening employability outcomes. In addition to Kanpur’s aviation-focused Centre, the other
proposed National Centres of Excellence will cater to sectoral priorities aligned with regional industrial
strengths, including advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies and high-growth service sectors at
Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bhubaneswar.
***
SH
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