**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has restructured the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020. Effective from the 2022–23 academic session, the curriculum now mandates 150 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Group Projects and reduces annual training from 1600 to 1200 hours. These regulations aim to provide ITI trainees with practical industry exposure while offering new pathways for academic certification.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Curriculum Restructuring**
* Total annual training duration for CTS courses is revised from 1600 hours to 1200 learning hours.
* A mandatory 150-hour On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Group Project is now integrated into the curriculum to provide hands-on experience.
* Changes are applicable starting from the academic session 2022–23.
* **Trainee Support and Safety**
* Guidelines include provisions for travel and accommodation support for trainees placed in distant locations for OJT.
* Emphasis is placed on the safety and well-being of trainees during their training periods.
* State Directorates and Institutes are encouraged to provide Accidental Group Insurance to cover trainees against unforeseen incidents.
* **Additional Certification Options**
* Trainees can opt for a 240-hour language course through NIOS to obtain 10th or 12th-class certification alongside their ITI certificate.
* An alternative option for an add-on short-term course of up to 240 hours is also available.
**Impact Analysis**
**ITI Trainees**
**Impact**
Trainees receive mandatory practical industry exposure and familiarization with modern technologies. They also benefit from financial support for travel and accommodation during distant placements and have the opportunity to gain dual academic certification (10th/12th class).
**Action Required**
Trainees must complete the mandatory 150 hours of OJT or Group Projects as part of their CTS course requirements and decide whether to enroll in optional add-on language or short-term courses.
**State Directorates and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for the local implementation of the revised CTS guidelines and the safety of the trainees.
**Action Required**
Institutes must implement the reformulated OJT guidelines, facilitate travel and accommodation support, and consider the provision of Accidental Group Insurance for their students.
**Directorate General of Training (DGT)**
**Impact**
The DGT acts as the primary body for restructuring and rationalizing qualifications in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020.
**Action Required**
The DGT must continue to oversee the implementation of OJT guidelines and ensure the alignment of vocational training with national education standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): The vocational training scheme under which ITI qualifications have been restructured and training hours revised.
On-the-Job Training (OJT)/Group Project: A newly mandated 150-hour curriculum component designed to provide trainees with practical industry exposure.
National Education Policy 2020: The overarching policy framework with which the rationalized CTS qualifications have been aligned.
Directorate General of Training (DGT): The regulatory body under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship responsible for formulating OJT guidelines.
National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS): The entity providing language courses to enable ITI trainees to obtain 10th or 12th class certification alongside their trade training.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
REGULATIONS ON OJT FOR ITI TRAINEES
Posted On: 25 MAR 2026 2:51PM by PIB Delhi
The Directorate General of Training under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has
restructured and rationalized all qualifications under the Craftsmen Training Scheme in alignment with the
National Education Policy 2020. A mandatory provision of 150 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT)/Group
Project has been incorporated as part of CTS courses in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) from the
academic session 2022–23 onwards, enabling trainees to gain hands-on experience in their respective
trades and to familiarize themselves with technologies used in industry. Accordingly, guidelines for
OJT/Group Projects have been formulated for implementation in ITIs.
As per the OJT/Group Project guidelines, the provision has been made for travel and accommodation
support for trainees placed in distant locations. The guidelines also provide for ensuring the safety and
well-being of trainees during the training period, including OJT. State Directorates/Institutes have been
asked to consider provisions such as Accidental Group Insurance in order to provide coverage against
unforeseen incidents.
The annual notional training duration for courses under CTS in ITIs has been revised from 1600 hours to
1200 learning hours from the academic session 2022–23 onwards. Further, a mandatory 150 hours of
OJT/Group Project has been included in the curriculum to provide practical industry exposure to
trainees.In addition, ITI trainees may also opt for 240 hours of either (i) a language course through NIOS
for obtaining a 10th /12th class certificate along with ITI certification, or (ii) an add-on short term course
of up to 240 hours.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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SH
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