The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, conducted a high-level review meeting with the Government of Rajasthan today to assess the progress of ongoing skilling initiatives and to chart the roadmap for strengthening employability outcomes in the State. The meeting was chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, in the presence of Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister for Industry & Commerce, Youth Affairs & Sports, and Department of Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship, Government of Rajasthan. The review was held at Kaushal Bhawan and focused on deepening Centre–State collaboration across flagship programmes.
Rajasthan has emerged as a key partner in India’s skilling ecosystem, with one of the largest Industrial Training Institute (ITI) networks in the country, comprising 1,537 ITIs, including 182 government and 1,355 private institutions. Under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, more than 3.14 lakh candidates have been trained or oriented in the State, with over 2.50 lakh successfully certified. Apprenticeship engagement under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has crossed 1.04 lakh apprentices across 1,211 active establishments, with ₹24.98 crore disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer till 31 January 2026. In addition, over 2.51 lakh artisans have been assessed under PM Vishwakarma, and Jan Shikshan Sansthans(JSS) operating in nine districts have enrolled nearly 12,000 candidates, with a high certification rate.
A major area of discussion was around establishing two Skill India International Centres (SIIC) in Rajasthan and around the implementation of the PM Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. Rajasthan has identified key ITI clusters across districts including Bharatpur, Bhiwadi, Jaipur, Balotra, Kota, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Banswara to implement the hub-and-spoke model aimed at aligning training with regional industrial demand. At the national level, PM-SETU carries a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore over five years and seeks to upgrade 1,000 ITIs and five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), with the objective of skilling 20 lakh youth in modern and emerging trades.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Jayant Chaudhary stated that Rajasthan’s scale and institutional depth place it at the forefront of India’s skilling transformation. He emphasised that the next phase must focus on enhancing quality, strengthening industry partnerships and ensuring measurable employment outcomes. He noted that the transformation of ITIs under PM-SETU, expansion of apprenticeship participation and creation of international skilling centres would collectively position Rajasthan’s youth to compete both domestically and globally. He further underlined the importance of aligning future skills such as electronics, EV servicing and digital technologies with traditional sectors supported under PM Vishwakarma, thereby integrating heritage and innovation within the State’s growth strategy.
Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore reiterated the State’s commitment to accelerating reforms in the skilling ecosystem. He affirmed that Rajasthan would extend full support in expediting infrastructure development, facilitating land allocation where required and ensuring robust monitoring mechanisms under PMKVY 4.0 and PM-SETU. He highlighted that with over three lakh youth trained under PMKVY and more than one lakh apprentices engaged, the State is steadily building a skilled workforce aligned with sectors such as automotive, electronics, petrochemicals, handicrafts and export-oriented industries.
The meeting also reviewed the proposal for establishing a National Skill Training Institute in Bharatpur and the upgradation of NSTI (Women), Jaipur and NSTI, Jodhpur. Discussions were held on setting up Skill India International Centres in Jaipur and Bharatpur to create structured pathways for overseas employment and global workforce mobility.
The review concluded with both Governments agreeing to fast-track pending approvals, strengthen monitoring and governance frameworks, and deepen industry engagement to enhance placement-linked outcomes. The deliberations reaffirmed a shared commitment to building a future-ready, inclusive and globally competitive workforce, with Rajasthan playing a pivotal role in advancing India’s skilling mission.
