As India commemorates World Youth Skills Day this year, the launch of a week-long celebration to
mark 10 years of the Skill India Mission by Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary is more than symbolic—it’s a pause to evaluate a critical national effort aimed at future-proofing the country’s workforce. Framed as Kaushal ka Dashak (Decade of Skills), this milestone carries weight not just for its numbers, but for its implications in India’s pursuit of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
In his address, Chaudhary didn’t merely celebrate past achievements; he outlined a fresh, reform-oriented vision for India’s skilling ecosystem. His message was clear: the next phase of economic transformation will hinge not just on capital or infrastructure, but on people, specifically, the skills, adaptability, and innovation potential of India’s youth.
A Decade of Building Human Capital
Since its inception in 2015, the Skill India Mission has trained crores of youth across sectors through flagship schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). Over 1.64 crore individuals have been trained under PMKVY alone, with thousands of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) undergoing structural reforms.
Chaudhary rightfully credited the consolidation of fragmented skilling efforts under one national mission as a turning point. “We adopted a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” he said, emphasising convergence and coordination between government, private sector, and civil society.
But this is not just a story of scale—it’s a story of evolving strategy. The shift from merely training to ensuring employment readiness, industry alignment, and global mobility is evident in recent reforms. The proposed National Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Policy, poised to reflect the transformative spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP), aims to redefine how India upskills and reskills its workforce.
ITI Reform: From Quantity to Quality
One of the boldest measures under the current regime has been the revamp of ITIs. With ₹60,000 crore allocated—including ₹10,000 crore expected from CSR—the new direction is not just to modernise infrastructure but to reshape curricula, certifications, and training standards in partnership with industry. “We want the industry to shape the curriculum,” Chaudhary said, cutting through the legacy mindset that separated vocational training from real-world employability.
The pruning of 4.5 lakh unfilled ITI seats and the de-affiliation of non-performing centres further signal a pivot towards quality. In 2024, ITI admissions rose 11%, indicating renewed trust. The Ministry’s focus is now on demand-driven training—teaching what industry needs, not what is easy to prepare.
Apprenticeships: Incentivising Participation
Chaudhary also flagged significant reforms in apprenticeships, a long-underutilised pathway to employment in India. Following the 38th meeting of the Central Apprenticeship Council, the government proposed a 36% hike in stipend support under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). For the Northeastern Region, a special ₹1,500/month subsidy is being introduced to bolster regional participation—a welcome step toward equitable growth.
This aggressive push to normalise apprenticeships reflects an understanding that on-the-job learning can no longer be optional. Global trends indicate that structured apprenticeships often yield better employment outcomes than classroom-based training alone.
Preparing for a New Skills Frontier
Perhaps most forward-looking is the upcoming Bharat SkillNxt 2025 event at Bharat Mandapam, which will feature the launch of major skilling initiatives, including a first-of-its-kind AI skilling program for school children. This marks a shift in narrative: skilling is no longer just for school dropouts or industrial workers; it is a national necessity for every age and sector.
As India becomes more digitally integrated, future-ready skills in AI, robotics, green energy, and advanced manufacturing must be woven into both mainstream education and vocational pathways. The government’s recognition of this trend is both timely and strategic.
The Road Ahead: Beyond Celebration
Jayant Chaudhary’s speech struck a chord because it didn’t just tally successes—it acknowledged the road ahead. From improving trust and verifiability in skill certifications to engaging industries in shaping outcomes, the second decade of Skill India demands more profound structural changes.
India’s demographic dividend is not guaranteed to last forever. With nearly 65% of the population under 35, the window to act is narrow but potent. As the country marches toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the youth are indeed its strongest asset—but only if their energy is matched with employable skills and real opportunities.
As Chaudhary concluded, “It is their skill, spirit, and innovation that will shape our collective destiny.” The events of the coming week may be celebratory. Still, the real test will lie in sustained, inclusive, and measurable reform, grounded in the belief that no youth should be left behind in India’s growth story.
