In a significant step towards reshaping India’s vocational education landscape, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, chaired a high-level session titled Skill Milan with heads of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) selected for upgradation into National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs). The initiative follows the Union Cabinet’s approval of the ₹60,000 crore National Scheme for ITI Upgradation on May 7.
The five NSTIs—located in Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana—will anchor future-ready skill training, focusing on high-quality instructor development and sector-specific skilling in areas such as AI, electric vehicles, textiles, and advanced manufacturing. Calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Chaudhary emphasized the need to shift from infrastructure to institutional excellence with strong industry collaboration.
In Guwahati, industry leaders and skilling institutions welcomed the move, noting its potential to boost Northeast India’s access to advanced technical education. Experts in the region expect the Centres to serve as models for integrating local economic needs with national skilling priorities, particularly in sectors like textiles and agro-processing. The Centres will enjoy academic and administrative autonomy, foster research, and align programs with the National Credit Framework to support lifelong learning and employability across India.