Weekly Newsbytes from NSN on skill development and education – 12th March 2025

This week brings a series of impactful updates in skill development and education! From government-led initiatives like MSDE’s plan to train 4.2 million candidates and Telangana’s ITI transformation to significant steps in implementing NEP 2020 in Mizoram and Goa, the skilling ecosystem is evolving rapidly. ASDC has invited RFPs for the National Automobile Olympiad, and the Sikkim government is calling for EOIs from training providers under the INSPIRES program.

In this edition of Newsbytes from NSN, we bring you the latest on government policies, industry-driven skilling, CSR initiatives, and updates from NEP 2020, UGC, and NCVET. Dive in to see how these developments are driving the future of education and employment in India.

Here we go with this week’s edition of our weekly newsbytes,

This week’s highlights in skill education 

ASDC Invites RFP for National Automobile Olympiad

The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) is inviting proposals  for the National Automobile Olympiad from partners to collaborate in enhancing trainee assessment in the automotive sector. Eligible providers must submit their RFP with necessary documents by March 25, 2025 (4:00 PM). Click here to know more details and apply!

Registrations open for CUET UG 2025

NTA has opened registrations for CUET UG 2025 at cuet.nta.nic.in. Candidates can apply until March 22 (11:50 pm), with fee payment due by March 23. The application correction window will be open from March 24 to March 26. The exam will be held from May 8 to June 1, 2025, in CBT mode.

EOI for Training Providers under Sikkim INSPIRES Program

The Skill Development Department, Government of Sikkim, invites proposals from eligible training providers for the Sikkim INSPIRES Program, aimed at training women and youth in tourism & hospitality, beauty & wellness, IT/ITeS, creative design, green jobs, and child and elderly care. The program will be implemented in FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 through private and government training providers. The last date to submit the proposal is March 19, 2025. Click here for more details and to submit your proposal!

Job openings at NCVET

The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) invites applications for two Executive Member positions at NCVET. The last date to apply is March 28, 2025 (5:30 PM).

For more details and to apply, click here!

Opportunity for CEO Position at Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC)

The Leather Sector Skill Council (LSSC) is seeking a dynamic leader for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position to drive skill development in the leather industry. Interested candidates can apply by March 18, 2025, for more details and to apply, click here!

Skill development updates from the government

• The government of Telangana plans to transform ITIs into Advanced Technology Centers while studying the implementation of the Gig and Platform Workers Act.
• MSDE plans to train 4.2 million candidates in five years under 19 government schemes, including PM Vishwakarma and the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
• Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, visited the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation-run Ekta Skill Development Centre in Gujarat, highlighting its role in empowering local youth and women through industry-relevant training and economic independence initiatives.
• Goa to implement NEP 2020 in Class VI, X, and KG2 from 2025-26, following a phased rollout with a state curriculum framework developed by SCERT.
• The Mizoram government has passed a bill to establish the state’s first teaching-intensive, government-run university, aligning with NEP 2020 norms to facilitate college affiliations within 15 years of the policy’s implementation.
• MSDE hosted a breakout session on “National Centres of Excellence for Skilling” to discuss the implementation roadmap of Union Budget 2025-26 announcements.
• NITI Aayog recognizes Telangana’s TASK and Andhra Pradesh’s skill census as exemplary models for skill development and employability.
• The government of Gujarat to develop a semiconductor hub with seven educational institutes preparing a skilled workforce for the sector.
• The government of Jharkhand calls for AI integration in ITI curricula, emphasizing skill development and job opportunities.
• MeitY has launched key IndiaAI Mission initiatives, including AIKosha, AI Compute Portal, and FutureSkills, to accelerate AI research, innovation, and skill development.

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Here are the latest apprenticeship opportunities for March 2025, including openings in power, railways, and science sectors. Don’t miss out—click the link to explore details and apply!

Click here to know more – https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/apprenticeships-internships/

Skill development updates on CSR, Industry

• KP Human Development Foundation and Sri Sri Rural Development Program Trust signed an MoU to establish skill training centers, addressing India’s skilled manpower gap in renewable energy, with a pilot project launching in Gujarat.
• NSDC and the Sports Physical Education Fitness and Leisure Skills Council signed MoUs with Chaudhary Charan Singh University to integrate skill development in AI, IoT, healthcare, and languages, and to train 600 women from SHGs in badminton equipment
• The Adani Foundation felicitated over 1,000 ‘Lakhpati Didis’ in Kutch, celebrating their empowerment through skill development and entrepreneurship on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
• The Indian School of Hospitality (ISH) partnered with Australia’s GeSS Education to offer global career pathways for Indian culinary and hospitality students through vocational qualifications and skilled migration opportunities.
• NSDC to introduce AI, ML, and robotics training in K-12 schools under the Skills for New Bharat initiative.
• NSDC and Tata Power have partnered to enhance skill development in green energy, power transmission, distribution, and industrial safety through industry-aligned training programs.
• POWERGRID, under its CSR initiative, launched a skill development program in Srinagar to train youth in smart metering under RDSS through the Power Sector Skill Council.
• Adani Foundation is empowering women farmers in Jharkhand’s Godda through mushroom cultivation, helping them achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency.

To know more, check out the latest updates on CSR and ESG initiatives that are creating a meaningful impact in skill development and education here: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/csr-and-esg-in-skill-education/

Skilling and upskilling in academia and emerging technologies

• NIT Andhra Pradesh inaugurated a five-day skill development program on Autonomous Aerial Vehicles, with IIT Hyderabad highlighting AI, machine learning, and drone technology advancements.
• Samagra Shiksha Director B Srinivasa Rao urged students to pursue vocational skills alongside academics, highlighting 10 trades offered from Class 9 to 12 in Andhra Pradesh.
• IIT Roorkee, with ICICI Foundation’s support, launched “Tech for Transformation” to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and skill development in EVs, green hydrogen, and drones.
• A seven-day electrical wiring skill training by DDUCC and Skill Development Centre, Wahiajer, concluded equipping 50 youth with practical expertise for employment.
• The Pan IIT Alumni Association will establish 10 skill development centres across Assam with ₹90 crore funding, aiming to enhance student employability and ensure placements.