Jaipur, Feb 13 (NationPress) The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) convened a significant review meeting with the Rajasthan government on Friday to evaluate the progress of current skilling initiatives and to formulate a strategy aimed at enhancing employability outcomes in the state.

The meeting was led by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, along with his role in the Ministry of Education, Government of India. He was joined by Col Rajyavardhan Rathore, Rajasthan’s Minister for Industry and Commerce, Youth Affairs and Sports, and Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship.

Taking place at Kaushal Bhawan, the review centered on strengthening the collaboration between the Centre and the state across various flagship programs. Rajasthan has established itself as a crucial player in India's skilling landscape, boasting one of the most extensive networks of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the nation, with a total of 1,537 ITIs, comprising 182 government and 1,355 private institutions.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, over 3.14 lakh individuals have undergone training or orientation in the state, with more than 2.50 lakh achieving successful certification.

In terms of apprenticeship, engagement under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) has surpassed 1.04 lakh apprentices spread across 1,211 active establishments, with a total of Rs 24.98 crore disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer as of January 31, 2026.

Furthermore, over 2.51 lakh artisans have been evaluated under PM Vishwakarma. Jan Shikshan Sansthans (JSS), which operate in nine districts, have enrolled nearly 12,000 candidates, showcasing a remarkable certification rate.

A focal point of the discussion was the establishment of two Skill India International Centres (SIIC) in Rajasthan, alongside the rollout of the PM Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme.

Rajasthan has pinpointed essential ITI clusters across districts such as Bharatpur, Bhiwadi, Jaipur, Balotra, Kota, Bikaner, Jodhpur, and Banswara to implement a hub-and-spoke model that aligns training with local industrial demand.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the national PM-SETU initiative has a total investment of Rs 60,000 crore over five years, aiming to upgrade 1,000 ITIs and five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), with the goal of skilling 20 lakh youths in modern and emerging trades.

During the meeting, Jayant Chaudhary asserted that Rajasthan’s scale and institutional strength position it at the forefront of India’s skilling transformation. He stressed the necessity of enhancing quality, fortifying industry partnerships, and ensuring measurable employment results in the next phase.

He highlighted that the transformation of ITIs under PM-SETU, the expansion of apprenticeship participation, and the establishment of international skilling centres would collectively empower Rajasthan’s youth to compete on both domestic and global fronts.

Moreover, he emphasized the significance of aligning future skills in areas such as electronics, EV servicing, and digital technologies with traditional sectors supported by PM Vishwakarma, thereby creating a synergy between heritage and innovation within the state’s growth strategy.

Col Rajyavardhan Rathore reaffirmed the state government’s dedication to advancing reforms within the skilling ecosystem. He guaranteed that Rajasthan would fully support the acceleration of infrastructure development, land allocation where necessary, and the implementation of robust monitoring mechanisms under PMKVY 4.0 and PM-SETU.

He also pointed out that with over three lakh youth trained under PMKVY and more than one lakh apprentices participating, the state is making steady progress in developing a skilled workforce aligned with sectors such as automotive, electronics, petrochemicals, handicrafts, and export-oriented industries.

The meeting also reviewed a proposal to set up a National Skill Training Institute in Bharatpur and to enhance NSTI (Women), Jaipur, and NSTI, Jodhpur.

Discussions also included establishing Skill India International Centres in Jaipur and Bharatpur to develop structured pathways for overseas employment and global workforce mobility.

The review concluded with both governments committing to expedite pending approvals, bolster monitoring and governance frameworks, and deepen industry collaboration to improve placement-linked outcomes.

The discussions reaffirmed a mutual commitment to constructing a future-ready, inclusive, and globally competitive workforce, with Rajasthan playing a crucial role in propelling India’s skilling mission.