The ₹60,000 Crore Partnership: Reimagining India's ITIs

The Union Cabinet has approved a ₹60,000 crore initiative to upgrade 1,000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under a hub-and-spoke model, as announced in the Union Budget 2024–25. Spanning five years, the scheme aims to modernize vocational training to meet evolving industry demands by overhauling trades and improving infrastructure.

Funding will include ₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from state governments, and ₹10,000 crore from industry partners. Additionally, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank will co-finance up to 50% of the Centre’s contribution. The scheme addresses past funding gaps by introducing a need-based investment approach, allowing flexible allocations based on specific institutional requirements.

A core focus is the introduction of modern, capital-intensive trades aligned with industry needs. The program aims to skill over 2 million youth, enhance course relevance, and expand ITI capacity nationwide.

The Cabinet also approved five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling within National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana. These centres will focus on training trainers and fostering innovation in vocational education. Established in 1963, there are currently 33 NSTIs across India.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.