CM Dhami Launches Skill Scheme, Opens New Block at Graphic Era Hill University
Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on 4 July 2026 inaugurated a new academic block and auditorium at Graphic Era Hill University in Bhimtal, Nainital, and launched the Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana, offering free certificate courses to students as part of NEP-2020 implementation.
Key Takeaways
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a new academic block and state-of-the-art auditorium at Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, Nainital on 4 July 2026 .
The Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana was formally launched, providing free certificate-level vocational courses to students.
Meritorious students and beneficiaries of the Graphic Era Kaushal Scholarship Scheme were felicitated at the event.
The initiative is framed as part of Uttarakhand 's phased implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 , which began in the state from the 2021-22 academic session.
The scheme aligns with the central Skill India Mission and aims to connect youth with industry-relevant skills and self-employment opportunities.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday, 4 July 2026, inaugurated a newly constructed academic block and a state-of-the-art auditorium at Graphic Era Hill University in Bhimtal, Nainital, and formally launched the Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana, a skill-scholarship initiative offering free certificate courses to students.
Context
At the inauguration ceremony, CM Dhami also felicitated meritorious students of the institution and those already enrolled in free certificate courses under the Graphic Era Kaushal Scholarship Scheme. In his address, he stated: 'हमारी सरकार प्रदेश में राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति-2020 के प्रभावी क्रियान्वयन के साथ कौशल विकास, नवाचार एवं रोजगारोन्मुख शिक्षा को निरंतर बढ़ावा दे रही है' — 'Our government is continuously promoting skill development, innovation, and employment-oriented education alongside the effective implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 in the state.'
Graphic Era Hill University, a private deemed university with campuses across Uttarakhand including Bhimtal in the Kumaon region, focuses on professional and technical programmes. The inauguration of the new academic block and auditorium marks a significant addition to its physical infrastructure.
Policy Backdrop
The National Education Policy 2020 was approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2020, replacing the 1986 policy framework. It mandates integration of vocational training and skill development across higher education institutions. Uttarakhand began its phased rollout of NEP-2020 in state and private universities from the 2021-22 academic session.
The Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana aligns with this framework by offering free certificate-level vocational courses, aiming to bridge the gap between academic curricula and industry requirements. The initiative also dovetails with the central government's Skill India Mission, which targets training millions of youth annually for employment and self-employment.
Stakeholders and Impact
CM Dhami emphasised that the government is working continuously to equip higher education institutions with modern facilities and to provide youth with skills aligned to industry needs, offering them 'better opportunities for employment and self-employment.' Students enrolled in free certificate courses under the skill scholarship scheme were among those honoured at the event.
The broader beneficiary group includes students across Uttarakhand's higher education ecosystem, particularly youth from the Kumaon region who stand to gain from upgraded infrastructure and subsidised vocational pathways. The approach mirrors a national pattern of states combining physical campus modernisation with targeted scholarship programmes to raise gross enrolment ratios and employability outcomes.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to whether the Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana is extended to other universities across Uttarakhand, as the state is due for its annual review of NEP-2020 implementation in the coming academic year. A wider rollout of such skill-scholarship models could meaningfully expand access to vocational certification for students in the state's hill districts, where employment opportunities remain constrained.
Point of View
A combination that has become a signature of BJP-governed hill states seeking to demonstrate NEP-2020 traction. By anchoring the event at a private deemed university while framing it as a state government initiative, CM Dhami is signalling that Uttarakhand's skill-development agenda will leverage private higher-education capacity rather than relying solely on state institutions. The Kaushal Jyoti Yojana, if scaled beyond a single institution, could become a replicable model for other Himalayan states grappling with youth out-migration driven by limited local employment. The political dividend lies in associating the BJP government's brand directly with tangible campus upgrades and free certification — visible, photographable outcomes ahead of the state's next electoral cycle.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana?
The Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana is a skill-scholarship initiative launched by Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami at Graphic Era Hill University, Bhimtal, that provides free certificate-level vocational courses to students to improve their employment and self-employment prospects.
Where is Graphic Era Hill University located?
Graphic Era Hill University has campuses across Uttarakhand, including in Bhimtal, Nainital district, situated in the Kumaon region of the state.
What did CM Dhami inaugurate at Graphic Era Hill University?
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated a newly constructed academic block and a state-of-the-art auditorium at Graphic Era Hill University in Bhimtal, Nainital, on 4 July 2026.
How is Uttarakhand implementing NEP 2020?
Uttarakhand began phased rollout of the National Education Policy 2020 in state and private universities from the 2021-22 academic session, combining infrastructure upgrades at campuses with new skill-scholarship schemes to align curricula with industry needs.
What is the Skill India Mission and how does this scheme relate to it?
The Skill India Mission is a central government programme targeting large-scale vocational training of Indian youth. The Graphic Era Kaushal Jyoti Yojana aligns with this mission by offering free certificate courses that prepare students for employment and self-employment in industry-relevant fields.
