Garvita Odia13 AUG 2025, New Delhi: As part of a national push to upgrade and modernize vocational training facilities, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, in collaboration with the Skill Development & Technical Education Department, Government of Odisha, yesterday organized a Consultative Workshop on the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation at the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar.The workshop discussed the vision, structure, and operational framework of the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and gathered perspectives from industry, academia, and training institutions to ensure alignment with evolving workforce needs.
Highlighting the scheme’s role in empowering India’s youth through high-quality, market-relevant skills, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, said, “The National Scheme for ITI Upgradation is not just about modernizing infrastructure—it is about reimagining the very DNA of vocational training in India. Through the Hub-and-Spoke model, industry-led governance, and global-standard training, we aim to make ITIs the epicentres of innovation, employability, and entrepreneurship. Odisha, with its robust industrial base and new National Centre of Excellence, is uniquely positioned to lead this change and inspire the rest of the country. This is not just about preparing youth for today’s jobs—it is about empowering them to lead in the economy of the future.”
On 7th May 2025, the Union Cabinet approved the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation, with an outlay of INR 60,000 crore over five years to upgrade 1,000 ITIs across the country. It aims to align vocational education with global quality standards, advanced pedagogy, and real industry needs. Funded through a tripartite model—₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from States, and ₹10,000 crore from Industry (including CSR)—the scheme will modernize 1,000 ITIs, including 200 Hub ITIs with cutting-edge labs, innovation centres, and training-of-trainers (ToT) facilities, and 800 Spoke ITIs to ensure wider reach and quality parity. Additionally, five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) will be upgraded to host National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in collaboration with global partners, anchoring high-end skilling, curriculum innovation, and capacity building.
