PM-SETU can transform ITIs into centres of excellence: Jayant Chaudhary
Synopsis
At Kolkata's Kaushal Manthan conference, Skill Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary pitched PM-SETU as a structural overhaul of India's ITI network — not just an upgrade. With over 2.10 lakh learners already enrolled in the AI-readiness programme SOAR, the Centre is signalling that skilling policy is pivoting from enrolment numbers to employability outcomes.
Key Takeaways
Jayant Chaudhary addressed the Kaushal Manthan Regional Conference of Skill Ministers in Kolkata on 17 August 2026 .
The PM-SETU scheme aims to transform ITIs into centres of excellence through comprehensive institutional reform.
States were urged to align PM-SETU clusters with industrial corridors, MSME hubs, and emerging technology sectors.
More than 2.10 lakh learners had enrolled under the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) programme as of 16 July 2026 .
The minister stressed that PM-SETU's success will be measured by careers enabled and upward mobility achieved, not enrolment alone.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary on Monday, 17 August 2026, declared that India's youth carry extraordinary ambition and potential, and that the government's responsibility is to channel that energy into future-ready, industry-valued skills. Speaking at Kolkata, he asserted that the PM-SETU scheme presents a historic opportunity to reimagine Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) as vibrant centres of excellence, innovation, and aspiration.
Key Address at Kaushal Manthan
Chaudhary was addressing the Regional Conference of Skill Ministers, titled 'Kaushal Manthan', convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in Kolkata. The conference brought together ministers and senior officials from participating states and Union Territories to strengthen Centre-State coordination and advance an industry-connected, outcome-oriented skilling ecosystem.
'India's young people bring extraordinary ambition, adaptability and potential. Our responsibility is to connect that potential with future-ready, industry-valued skills and real opportunities,' Chaudhary said.
What PM-SETU Entails
The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme is envisioned as a comprehensive institutional reform. Chaudhary stressed the need for stronger convergence between the Centre, states, industry, and training institutions — aligning policy, infrastructure, and investment around the learner.
He urged states to align PM-SETU clusters with priority economic value chains, industrial corridors, MSME concentrations, emerging technologies, and upcoming investments. Spoke ITIs, he said, should have dependable access to Hub laboratories, master trainers, career services, and employer networks.
'PM-SETU gives us a historic opportunity to reimagine ITIs as vibrant centres of excellence, innovation and aspiration. Its success will ultimately be reflected in the careers, enterprises and upward mobility we enable,' Chaudhary stated.
AI in Skilling: A Growing Priority
The minister also highlighted the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in skilling. He noted that more than 2.10 lakh learners had enrolled under the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) programme as of 16 July 2026.
Chaudhary emphasised that AI learning must reach schools, ITIs, and skill centres across districts — equipping young people not only to use AI, but to apply, adapt, and create with the technology.
What Comes Next
The Kaushal Manthan conference is expected to accelerate Centre-State alignment on PM-SETU implementation timelines and cluster-level planning. The scheme's success, as the minister underscored, will be measured not by enrolment figures alone but by tangible improvements in careers, enterprise creation, and upward mobility for India's youth.
Point of View
Yet the gap between skilling capacity and labour market demand remains stubbornly wide. PM-SETU's cluster-based, Hub-and-Spoke architecture is structurally sounder than previous one-size-fits-all upgrades — but the minister's own framing reveals the core challenge: success depends on Centre-State-industry convergence that has historically been the weakest link in Indian skilling policy. The SOAR enrolment figure of 2.10 lakh sounds impressive, but without placement or income-outcome data attached, it risks becoming another headline number. The real test of Kaushal Manthan will be whether states leave with binding commitments or just conference declarations.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM-SETU scheme?
PM-SETU stands for Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs. It is a comprehensive institutional reform initiative aimed at transforming India's Industrial Training Institutes into centres of excellence, innovation, and employability, with stronger alignment between the Centre, states, industry, and training institutions.
What is the SOAR programme and how many have enrolled?
SOAR stands for Skilling for AI Readiness, a programme under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. As of 16 July 2026, more than 2.10 lakh learners had enrolled in the programme, which is designed to equip young people to use, apply, and create with artificial intelligence.
What did Jayant Chaudhary say at Kaushal Manthan?
Jayant Chaudhary said India's youth bring extraordinary ambition and potential, and that PM-SETU offers a historic opportunity to reimagine ITIs as vibrant centres of excellence. He urged states to align PM-SETU clusters with industrial corridors, MSME concentrations, and emerging technologies, and called for stronger Centre-State-industry convergence.
Who attended the Kaushal Manthan conference?
The Regional Conference of Skill Ministers, Kaushal Manthan, was convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship in Kolkata. It brought together ministers and senior officials from participating states and Union Territories to advance Centre-State coordination on skilling.
How will PM-SETU's success be measured?
According to Chaudhary, PM-SETU's success will be reflected in the careers, enterprises, and upward mobility enabled for young people — not just enrolment numbers. The scheme links Spoke ITIs to Hub laboratories, master trainers, career services, and employer networks to ensure outcome orientation.
