New Delhi: At the 4th edition of the National Skill Convocation known as Kauhal Deekshant Samaroh, a unique initiative that was first conceptualized under the inspiration of the Prime Minister to make skill development aspirational, Prime Minister Narendra Modi felicitated 46 All India Toppers from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country.
Extending greetings to lakhs of students associated with ITIs across the country, as well as the students and teachers of Bihar, the Prime Minister recalled that a few years ago, the government initiated a new tradition of organizing large-scale convocation ceremonies for ITI students. He remarked that today marks another milestone in that tradition.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister also launched PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) — a landmark ₹60,000 crore centrally sponsored scheme to transform 1,000 Government ITIs across India into modern, industry-aligned training institutions.
PM-SETU will follow a hub-and-spoke model where each hub will be equipped with advanced infrastructure, innovation and incubation centres, production units, training of trainer facilities, and placement services, while the spokes will extend access and outreach. Read more about PM-SETU Scheme.
In his address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the central role of Industrial Training Institutes in shaping India’s skilled workforce. He said, “ITIs are not only premier institutions of industrial education, they are also the workshops of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
He noted that these institutes are nurturing millions of young Indians with practical knowledge and employable skills, turning them into confident contributors to the nation’s economy. The Prime Minister emphasised that as India marches towards becoming a skill-based economy, ITIs will remain the bedrock of this transformation, equipping youth with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving global market.
Emphasising that India is a nation of knowledge and skill, and this intellectual strength is its greatest asset, the Prime Minister remarked that when skills and knowledge align with national needs and contribute to fulfilling them, their impact multiplies manifold. He highlighted that the demand of the 21st century is to rapidly advance local talent, local resources, local skills, and local knowledge in accordance with the country’s requirements.
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Underscoring the significant role of thousands of ITIs in this mission, PM Modi remarked that currently, ITIs offer training in nearly 170 trades, and over the past 11 years, more than 1.5 crore youth have been trained in these disciplines, gaining technical qualifications across diverse sectors. He noted with pride that these skills are imparted in local languages, enabling better understanding and accessibility. This year, over 10 lakh students participated in the All India Trade Test, and the Prime Minister had the opportunity to felicitate more than forty-five of them during the event.
“India’s ITIs are not only premier institutions for industrial education but also serve as workshops for building an Atmanirbhar Bharat”, exclaimed the Prime Minister emphasising that the government is focused on both increasing the number of ITIs and continuously upgrading them. He noted that until 2014, there were only 10,000 ITIs in the country, but in the past decade, nearly 5,000 new ITIs have been established. He highlighted that the ITI network is being prepared to meet current industry skill requirements and anticipate future demands over the next ten years.
To strengthen this alignment, coordination between industry and ITIs is being enhanced. He announced the launch of the PM SETU scheme, which will benefit over 1,000 ITI institutions across India. Through this initiative, ITIs will be upgraded with new machinery, industry training experts, and curricula tailored to present and future skill demands. “The PM SETU scheme will also connect Indian youth with global skill requirements”, he stated.
“As skills grow, the nation becomes self-reliant, exports increase, and employment opportunities expand”, remarked the Prime Minister. He recalled that before 2014, India was labelled among the “Fragile Five” economies, marked by low growth and limited job creation. Today, India is progressing towards becoming a top-three global economy, with significant growth in manufacturing and employment.
The Prime Minister highlighted unprecedented growth in manufacturing and exports in sectors such as mobile phones, electronics, automobiles, and defence. He noted that this surge has led to remarkable job creation across large industries and MSMEs, greatly benefiting the youth, including those trained in ITIs. He emphasized that the Mudra Scheme has helped crores of young people start their own ventures. Additionally, the Prime Minister announced the implementation of the ₹1 lakh crore Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which will assist approximately 3.5 crore youth in securing employment in the private sector.
Affirming that this is a time filled with opportunities for every youth in the country, the Prime Minister emphasized that while alternatives may exist for many things, there is no substitute for skill, innovation, and hard work. The Prime Minister concluded by remarking with conviction that all these qualities reside within India’s youth, and their strength will become the strength of a Viksit Bharat and extended his heartfelt best wishes to all.
Union Minister of State for Skill Development, Jayant Chaudhary was present among other dignitaries at the event. Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar, Union Ministers Jual Oram, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Sukanta Majumdar and other dignitaries had connected to the event through video conferencing.
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