“In the next six months, India’s school-going population could make a powerful global statement—that we are home to the world’s largest network of young learners who are not just being introduced to AI, but actively using and applying it. This is the future we are building—bold, tech-savvy, and ready to lead,” said, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE and Minister of State, Education, Government of India, Shri Jayant Chaudhary. He was speaking on the occasion of 10-year celebration of Skill India Mission, Bharat SkillNxt 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event celebrated the mission’s achievements and unveiled a futuristic roadmap for India’s skilling ecosystem.

“Skill India journey has shown us that skilling is not a fallback; it is the foundation. Whether it’s veterans retraining, rural women discovering entrepreneurship, or young students embracing AI, every story reaffirms that India’s future lies in recognizing talent, restoring dignity to work, and creating opportunity through skill. Initiatives like SOAR—integrating AI from the school level—signal India’s ambition to not only embrace technology but to lead in it. As we move towards Viksit Bharat 2047, it is clear that India will not become a developed nation by chance—but by design. And at the heart of that design is our people—skilled, confident, and future-ready,” Shri Chaudhary further added.

On the occasion, several key initiatives aimed at shaping the future of India’s skilling landscape were launched. These included the IndiaSkills 2025–2026 Operational Guidelines and Registration Portal, SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), NCVET’s Kaushal Verse Digital Enterprise Portal, Assessment Agencies and Awarding Body Guidelines, and the All New Apprenticeship Training Portal. Reports and handbooks released included the India Semiconductor Workforce Strategy, Skill Impact Bond Report, Decentralized Planning Book, and the JSS Employability Skills Trainer Handbook.

Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics & IT, Shri Jitin Prasada, said, “As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Skill India Mission, it is clear that skilling is not just a priority—it is the remote that holds the key to India’s transformation. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we are witnessing a generational shift in how we prepare our youth—empowering them to compete, contribute, and lead not just in India, but globally. From integrating AI education at the school level through SOAR, to ensuring our youth are job-ready or enterprise-ready, we are investing in skills that change lives. Skilling today is about readiness for global mobility, cyber security, climate resilience, and digital productivity. With initiatives like FTAs, semiconductor manufacturing, and AI summits, India is on the move. And as we continue this journey—from action to impact—it is our shared responsibility to ensure that every young Indian, armed with talent and training, has a level playing field and a world of opportunity.”

Minister of State for Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar said, “Today, we are celebrating a powerful shift in India’s educational philosophy—where skills and knowledge go hand in hand, where every form of learning counts, and where every learner is empowered to thrive. Guided by the vision of our Hon’ble Prime Minister, the National Education Policy 2020 has mainstreamed vocational education and placed skills at the heart of India’s educational journey. With the National Credit Framework and initiatives like SOAR and AI-integrated learning from school level, we are building true choice, mobility, and opportunity into our system. From rural heartlands to technology hubs, we are seeing a generation of learners—especially our daughters—rising with confidence, creativity and curiosity. This is not just about preparing youth for employment; it is about preparing them for life. Together—with MSDE, the Ministry of Education, states, academia and industry—we are building a Kaushal Bharat for a Vikshit Bharat.”

The event also witnessed the exchange of multiple high-impact MoUs that reaffirmed the government’s commitment to public-private and international collaborations. Notable among these was the MoU between MSDE and the Government of the French Republic.

After signing the MoU, HE Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France, said, “Rooted in mutual respect and people-to-people exchanges, Indo-French partnership in the field of vocational education and skill development reflects a shared vision for the future. Today’s MoU is not merely a document—it is a bridge between two nations committed to empowering youth, building resilient economies, and promoting social mobility through skill-based learning. As India moves forward to train millions under the Skill India Mission, and France continues to advance its ambitious training policies, our collaboration opens up new frontiers. From joint curricula to Centres of Excellence, from talent exchange to innovation-led training, we are laying the foundation of a future-ready workforce. This partnership reflects our conviction that skills are not just tools for employment—they are instruments of dignity, progress, and global harmony."

Other MoUs included partnerships between NSTI Bangalore and SLN Technology under the DST scheme, NSTI Mumbai and ICICI Foundation for rural incubation, and a series of Flexi MoUs between RDSDEs and prominent industry and academic institutions, including Dixon Technologies, Microsoft, HCL, Apollo MedSkills, and premier institutions like IIT Patna, IIIT Una, RRU Gandhi Nagar, IIT Hyderabad, and NIT Agartala under PMKVY’s institutional strengthening strategy.

During the event, candidates from the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), JSS, PM Vishwakarma, Skill Impact Bond, and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) shared their experiences, showcasing the tangible on-ground impact of MSDE schemes. This was followed by the felicitation of high-achieving candidates from these flagship schemes. Six best-performing ITIs were also honored, highlighting excellence in vocational training delivery.

The event was also graced by Shri Ambika G L Valmiki, MP, Ananthapur, Andhra Phradesh, Shri Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Rajya Sabha MP, Punjab, and Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE. It also marked the presence of senior policymakers, industry leaders, sectoral experts, and beneficiaries from across the country.

On this occasion, various launches and MoUs signed are also shared below:-

MSDE officially launched IndiaSkills 2025-2026, marking the opening of the national registration window for candidates aspiring to represent India at global skill competitions. Alongside, the operational guidelines for IndiaSkills 2025 were released, providing a clear framework for the conduct of district, state, and national-level competitions. Registration Link: https://www.skillindiadigital.gov.in/account/register?returnUrl=%2Findia-skills-2025&utm_source=BannerClicks&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=IndiaSkills

The MSDE also launched a national level initiative SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) aimed at embedding AI awareness and foundational skills among school students (Classes 6–12) and building AI literacy among educators. The programme seeks to bridge the digital divide by ensuring equitable access to AI education across geographies, thereby supporting the national agenda of inclusive, future-ready skilling. SOAR comprises three progressive 15-hour modules for students—AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire—and one independent 45-hour module for teachers titled AI for Educators. The program introduces concepts such as AI basics, generative AI, AI in daily life, programming fundamentals, ethics, cybersecurity and future career opportunities.

The minister also announced the Skill Impact Bond (SIB) India’s first, and the world’s largest, outcomes-based development impact bond for skilling and employment. Led by the MSDE through the NSDC, SIB has mobilised $14.4 million to transform how skilling is financed, with a clear focus on employment outcomes.

The National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) operationalized its advanced Digital Enterprise Portal (DEP), officially named KaushalVerse. This state-of-the-art platform has been developed to streamline and democratize the core regulatory functions of NCVET, ensuring efficient, transparent, and responsive service delivery in the skill ecosystem.

NCVET also launched the Revised Comprehensive Guidelines for the Recognition and Regulation of Assessment Agencies – 2025. These guidelines mark a significant step forward ensuring standardized, transparent, and outcome-based assessment across the country.

NCVET also launched the revised ‘Guidelines for the Recognition and Regulation of Awarding Bodies’, (2025), to align with the evolving education and employment ecosystem and NEP 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF). These guidelines accentuate the integration of vocational education into mainstream systems, promoting flexible, multidisciplinary learning pathways.

`The minister also launched a book titled “Transforming Skill Development through Decentralized Planning”, developed under the SANKALP programme. The book presents a comprehensive account of how District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs)—crafted by District Skill Committees across India have shifted the paradigm from top-down policy to grassroots-led skill planning. NCVET along with MSDE announced a strategy report aimed to align India’s workforce capabilities with the evolving demands of the global semiconductor value chain. The report identifies skilling requirements across the semiconductor value chain, including design, fabrication, Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging (ATMP), and ancillary services.

The Minister also launched the 60-hour Employability Skills Handbook for the Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) clientele. Specifically designed for non-literates, neo-literates, and school dropouts, this customized handbook equips learners with foundational skills essential for self and wage employment. Developed in collaboration with 1M1B, the handbook covers practical modules including communication, digital and financial literacy, customer service, entrepreneurship, and career readiness.

The revamped Apprenticeship Training (AT) Portal, was also launched featuring a significantly enhanced User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX). The upgraded portal is designed to make the apprenticeship life cycle—right from registration and on boarding to certification—simpler, faster, and more intuitive for all stakeholders, including employers, apprentices, and training providers.

MoUs with MSDE:

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