The program trained 28 nominated officers from MSDE’s field institutions, including DGT, RDSDEs, NSTIs, NIMI, CSTARI, and NCVET, as Master Trainers. These officers were trained by Shri Pritam Dutta, Director, MSDE, and Shri T. Ragulan, Director, CSTARI, both of whom were empanelled as Lead Trainers by CBC in May 2025.

Over three intensive days, the training equipped officers with tools to foster a spirit of Seva-Bhav (spirit of service), promote purpose-driven public service, and deepen inter-institutional collaboration. Designed around four structured modules, the training focused on realigning mindsets, encouraging inter-departmental cooperation, and strengthening the sense of accountability among officials. Through case discussions, peer-sharing, and reflective dialogue, participants explored how they could contribute more meaningfully to public service delivery.

These 28 officers will now act as catalysts for change by conducting one-day Seva-Bhav workshops in their respective field institutions, ensuring the message of citizen-first service percolates to every official across the MSDE ecosystem.

Reflecting on the session, Shri Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, stated, “The Rashtriya Karmayogi Seva-Bhav training is a vital step towards building a more responsive, empathetic, and citizen-first administration. It goes beyond technical capacity to nurture purpose-driven governance. By instilling the spirit of service among officials, we are not only improving public service delivery but also shaping a future-ready, values-based workforce aligned with our national vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.”

During the closing session, Ms. Trishaljit Sethi, Director General (Training), and Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, MSDE, addressed the participants and highlighted the strategic importance of this training in shaping an empathetic, responsive, and mission-oriented workforce. They also interacted with the participants, appreciating their feedback and commitment to implementing the Seva-Bhav ethos at grassroots levels.

Part of the larger Mission Karmayogi framework, this training aims to foster a deep sense of Seva-Bhav (spirit of service) among central government officials by shifting focus from routine tasks to purpose-driven public service.

With the successful completion of this phase, MSDE continues to lead the transformation of governance culture through sustained investments in human capital development, paving the way for an empowered and service-oriented bureaucracy.

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The objective of this MoU is to strengthen livelihood opportunities in rural areas by combining the technical expertise and institutional framework of MSDE with the extensive grassroots reach and implementation capabilities of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM).

The aim is to enhance the skills, market access, and entrepreneurial capabilities of women in Self-Help Groups (SHGs) so that they can become a part of the global workforce. A key focus of this collaboration is to raise awareness about the skill development and entrepreneurship programs of both ministries and to align these initiatives with local market needs and emerging opportunities.

Through this partnership, priority will be given to demand-driven skill training and practical entrepreneurship development to empower SHG women to become “Lakhpati Didis”. Efforts will be made to ensure that training modules and curricula are contextualized to local realities and aligned with emerging job markets and future skill requirements. Using the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), SHG women and trainers will receive formal certification for their skills. Additionally, comprehensive support will be provided through services such as financial literacy, market linkages, legal compliance, business development, and mentoring.

This partnership will not only help fulfill the economic aspirations of rural communities but will also play a pivotal role in promoting entrepreneurship and empowering rural families through outcome-based training programs. It reflects the shared commitment of both ministries to provide advanced skill training, entrepreneurship development, and sustainable employment opportunities to members of SHGs in rural India.

The signing of the MoU was graced by the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, and the Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, was also present on the occasion.

This MoU is a concrete step towards realizing Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, which prioritizes economic diversification and sustainable development in rural areas. Together, the two ministries will work to economically empower women from SHGs, elevate them into higher income brackets through initiatives like the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ campaign, and provide training aligned with the needs of local markets.

This partnership aims to equip SHG women with digital and financial literacy, connect them to markets, enhance their legal awareness, and build capacity in business development. It will also ensure formal recognition of their skills through certification via SIDH. Training will be delivered at the grassroots level by leveraging networks of institutions such as ITIs, Jan Shikshan Sansthans, RSETIs, and NIESBUD. In addition, the partnership will jointly facilitate awareness campaigns, village-level camps, and entrepreneurship fairs to further strengthen outreach and impact.

Under this MoU, the implementation at the grassroots level will be strengthened by linking State Rural Livelihood Missions (SRLMs) with District Skill Committees (DSCs). Institutional coordination between SRLMs and DSCs will be facilitated to ensure that the skill development needs of SHG women are effectively integrated into the District Skill Development Plans (DSDPs).

The duration of this MoU is three years. To ensure regular monitoring of the partnership’s progress, a Joint Review Committee will be established, which will conduct quarterly reviews of the ongoing initiatives. Under this partnership, the MoRD, through the National Rural Livelihoods Mission, will also provide financial support for the implementation of targeted skill training and entrepreneurship development programs for beneficiaries from Self-Help Groups. This arrangement will help ensure the quality, effectiveness, and outreach of the training programs.

Under this partnership, the roles of MoRD and MSDE have been clearly defined. MoRD will be responsible for identifying beneficiaries, supporting curriculum development, disseminating training materials, providing entrepreneurship training to SHG women to help them establish viable enterprises, and coordinating state-level training programs.

On the other hand, MSDE will focus on developing skill-based curricula, organizing trainer training programs, leveraging existing skill infrastructure, providing certification through SIDH, and implementing an effective monitoring mechanism for the entire program. This coordinated effort will ensure that the training delivered is not only of high quality but also outcome-oriented.

On the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, said, “This partnership marks a decisive step towards strengthening the social and economic foundation of rural India. It is a major initiative to bring livelihoods, skills, and entrepreneurship onto a common platform to empower millions of women in Self-Help Groups and make them self-reliant. Rural women will be provided with demand-driven training, digital and financial literacy, and opportunities for market linkages. This training will reach the grassroots level through the institutional networks of ITIs, RSETIs, JSS, and NIESBUD. Through the SIDH portal, we will also provide formal recognition of their skills. This is not just about economic empowerment—it lays the foundation for placing women in leadership roles, where they become not only job seekers but also job creators.”

“True equality is rooted in economic self-reliance, and today’s women are moving forward with an incredible capacity to learn. After receiving training, they have become even more empowered, and over 1.48 lakh ‘Lakhpati Didis’ are a living testament to this transformation. We aim to ensure that more and more Didis are trained in line with future requirements and become ‘Future-Skilled Didis’, making full use of the infrastructure of ITIs and polytechnic institutions. When India’s population becomes skilled, it becomes the world’s greatest strength. Today, the world needs skilled manpower, and when our hands are equipped with skills, India will lead not just within the country but globally as well. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to both the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Skill Development for this historic collaboration. This partnership will play a pivotal role in empowering 10 crore Didis in rural India and in realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’,” Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Minister, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, said.

The MoU signing ceremony was also attended by several senior officials. From MSDE, Secretary, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Joint Secretary, Smt. Hena Usman, Additional Secretary, Smt. Sonal Mishra and Director Shri Preetam Dutta were present. Representing MoRD were the Secretary, Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, the Joint Secretary, Ms. Swati Sharma, and the Additional Secretary, Shri T.K. Anil Kumar. On this occasion, the new websites of the Ministry of Rural Development and the Department of Rural Development were also launched.

It is noteworthy that this partnership will not only strengthen the confidence and economic status of rural women but also give fresh impetus to the ideals of ‘Vocal for Local,’ Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and women’s empowerment. This initiative stands as a milestone in accelerating India’s rural economy, opening new avenues for rural women and youth, and promoting social inclusion.

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The newly launched website enhances accessibility, uniformity, and ease of navigation for users, featuring AI-powered search, multi-language support through Bhashini, persona-led navigation, and centralized content management. With its three-click approach, it ensures citizens can seamlessly access essential services and skilling resources.

Launching the revamped website, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, said: “The DBIM framework strengthens the government’s vision of ‘Minimum Government, Maximum Governance’ by creating a unified and citizen-centric digital ecosystem. As India’s digital economy expands, a standardized and seamless service delivery model is crucial. Our Ministry’s website, aligned with DBIM 3.0, ensures that skilling opportunities are more accessible, inclusive, and efficient for every citizen.”

“Congratulations to the MSDE IT team and NIC for their efforts in making this possible. I encourage all stakeholders to explore the website and leverage its enhanced features for seamless access to skilling initiatives and resources.”

The MSDE website serves as a one-stop digital hub showcasing all flagship schemes and initiatives of the Ministry, including Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and more. Each initiative is seamlessly linked to its respective dashboard, portals, and resources, ensuring real-time access to data, performance metrics, and impact stories. The website’s integrated design enhances transparency and enables stakeholders, industries, and citizens to easily explore skilling opportunities, track progress, and engage with government programs more efficiently.

The DBIM framework, introduced by MeitY, ensures a consistent digital presence across all government ministries and platforms, fostering a seamless, integrated, and transparent governance approach. MSDE is among the first five ministries to transition to this new system, reflecting its commitment to leveraging technology for efficient public service delivery.

The Minister further urged all MSDE-operated portals to adopt DBIM standards soon, ensuring standardized governance across all digital platforms under the Skill India Mission.

For more details, visit the new MSDE website: www.msde.gov.in

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The partnership on AI assistant aims to streamline information access, improve learning outcomes, and provide students with seamless support through an intuitive digital interface. The 5 CoEs will also provide realistic simulations, improve engagement, and increase accessibility to skill development training.

Commenting on the partnership, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, said, “Our mission at the Ministry is to empower India’s youth with the skills they need to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By integrating technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and mixed reality into the Skill India ecosystem, we are democratizing access to cutting-edge technologies enabling personalized learning pathways for the youth of the country. Our partnership with Meta today is a significant step towards achieving this goal.”

Shivnath Thukral, Vice President and Head of Public Policy, at Meta India, said, “At Meta, we are committed to leveraging frontier technologies like AI, VR, and MR to create meaningful impact for the economic development of India. These partnerships with the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MDSE) are a testament to our commitment to bridging the gap between technology and education. Through the integration of advanced technologies like Open-Source Llama, we aim to empower not just the students, but also educators and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the tools they need to thrive in today’s digital-first world.”

The Skill India Digital Portal has become a cornerstone of the nation’s skilling ecosystem, with millions of students accessing courses aimed at improving their employability. With the launch of the AI chatbot, MSDE and Meta are taking a significant step forward in revolutionizing how students interact with course content and prepare for the future.

Sarvam AI, the technical partner for the AI assistant project, will be responsible for the development and deployment of the chatbot, which will be piloted over a six-month period. The chatbot, which will be integrated into the SID Portal, offers 24/7 assistance to users, enabling quick discovery of course information, interactive Q&A for course content, and access to lecture summaries and relevant videos for revision.

Available over WhatsApp, the chatbot will support English, Hindi, and Hinglish, along with voice capabilities, making it more accessible to a diverse range of users across India. In addition, users can search for specific course topics, find skilling centers, explore job listings based on location and interest, and receive tailored feedback for continuous improvement. The chatbot will also provide valuable analytics to the MSDE to further optimize the platform.

Further, Skillveri, the technical partner for establishing the CoEs, will provide cutting-edge VR and MR resources, curriculum, and trained professionals to equip learners and instructors with the latest technology, enabling immersive and interactive learning experiences.

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INDIA: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is proud to announce the launch of a series of groundbreaking initiatives aimed at revolutionizing India’s vocational training landscape and empowering its workforce to lead in the digital economy. This announcement was made during a keynote address delivered by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, the Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) – Women in Noida during his visit to the institute.

Microsoft’s AI Programming Assistant Program across all ITIs and NSTIs

The centerpiece of today’s announcement is the expansion of Microsoft’s SkillSaksham Program for Digital Productivity and AI Skilling across 200 ITIs from this academic session targeting more than 10,000 candidates and its support for the introduction of the ‘AI Programming Assistant’ course in about 15 NSTIs from the academic session 2024-25. We have already trained more than 8500 students under the SkillSaksham Program in the last session of the CTS program in our ITIs.

To ensure that this training reaches every corner of our country, Microsoft will support the rollout of the ‘AI Programming Assistant’ course under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) across 15 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) beginning with the 2024 academic session. Hence the students of the 15 NSTIs across the country, will have access to 1200 hours of AI-focused training, and, in addition to this, about 400 additional hours will be dedicated to Advanced AI skills and a virtual On-the-Job Training (OJT), facilitated by Microsoft. This nationwide deployment will help democratize access to future skills, ensuring that young minds in every region have the opportunity to lead in the AI-driven future.

“We are on the cusp of a generational change. Our partnership with Microsoft is more than just a collaboration—it’s a bold statement that India’s vocational education system is not merely catching up with the times but is setting the pace,” said Shri Jayant Chaudhary, the Hon’ble Minister.

“We need to create a pool of trainers and teachers who understand new technologies and AIs. Individuals from such training will play a vital role in preparing future talent for the new job environment. Emerging technologies and the introduction of AIs will help reimagine ITIs. Preparing our students to harness the transformative power of AI, will play a crucial part as India’s expected GDP growth touches $500 billion by 2025.”

Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE highlighted the need for partnerships in India’s quest to become the hub of skilled talent for a global workforce. He said, “This signing of our MoU with Microsoft is a part of building synergies at multiple levels such as with MeitY and this is yet another push to enhance the capability of our young talent. During Mr Nadella’s visit to India, we broached the subject of how Microsoft can add value to our ITIs. Today, we have made it possible.

He further stated, “This AI Training program, will help women from non-technical backgrounds to be part of this digital future and with an edge from a Microsoft certified course, be able to find prominent job placement. Moving forward, we would like to scale this further with our various partners like Microsoft shortly.”

Puneet Chandok, President, of Microsoft India, and South Asia said “As we celebrate the successful five-year-long partnership between Microsoft and the Directorate General of Training (DGT), we remain committed to empowering India’s youth with critical digital skills. Our mission is AI for everyone, we want to enable every person and every organization in the country to achieve more. With thousands of young minds already benefitting from our AI-focused skilling programs, along with cybersecurity and digital productivity, we are now focused on expanding this impact for vocational education in India. By joining forces with industry partners, we will enhance our training programs and extend the reach to over 200 ITIs and 15 NSTIs, copiloting India in its innovation journey from ‘incredible opportunity’ to ‘credible impact’.”    

Strategic Partnerships to Empower MSMEs and Entrepreneurs

In addition to the AI program, the MSDE is also forging key partnerships to bolster the competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and to support entrepreneurial skill development:

NIESBUD-MSSIDC Partnership: Focused on capacity-building training tailored for women-owned MSME units in Maharashtra under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) Programme. This initiative aims to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs in the state and empower women entrepreneurs.

NIESBUD-Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Collaboration: A formal institutional mechanism will be established to enable NIESBUD trainees to leverage the vast opportunities offered by GeM’s digital platform, increasing market access and visibility.

MoU with Jamia Hamdard University: This partnership will harness the strengths of both institutions to promote entrepreneurial education and skills, ultimately enhancing self-employment opportunities.

Collaboration with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC): NIESBUD and ONDC will explore mutual collaboration opportunities to further entrepreneurial skill development and support self-employment initiatives.

“These partnerships are pathways to building a more ‘Kushal, Viksit, and Atmanirbhar Bharat’ of our dreams. What has been a silent revolution till now is about to gain scale and speed,” the Hon’ble Minister added.

Looking Ahead

As India navigates the digital future, MSDE’s initiatives are laying the foundation for a workforce that is not just ready for the future but is equipped to lead it. Through strategic partnerships and the integration of emerging technologies like AI into vocational training, India is set to become a global leader in digital innovation and economic growth.

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The scheme is aimed at providing easy access to advanced-level skill courses, which potentially pose a significant financial barrier for many deserving students and candidates to gain futuristic and in-demand industry skills.

Recognizing the significant role played by NBFCs and Micro Finance Institutions in the skill loan market, the MSDE, with approval from the Ministry of Finance, has made pivotal modifications to the scheme guidelines. Now, NBFCs, Micro Finance Institutions, and Small Finance Banks will also be eligible to extend loans which will be backed by a guarantee against default up to 75% of the loan disbursed.   Furthermore, the maximum ticket size of individual loans eligible for credit guarantee cover has been increased to INR 7.50 lakhs from the earlier limit of INR 1.50 lakhs.

During the launch ceremony at Kaushal Bhawan, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, Government of India, “The launch of the Model Skill Loan Scheme is a major milestone for our Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. This scheme empowers youth with financial support for advanced skilling, through the instrument of collateral-free loans up to Rs7.5 lakh. NBFCs, NBFC-MFIs, & Small Finance Banks have also been made eligible lenders. As the world, including India, undergoes rapid technological and societal shifts, our education systems and job market must adapt to keep pace. We’re working hard towards a vision for 2047, with the government thinking strategically about these changes. This Model Skill Loan Scheme is a reform and liberalisation for which there was demand of the Public.”

Speaking on the occasion Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary, MSDE said, “The ‘Skill Economy’ is increasingly market-led, with new-age learning integrating into the skill development ecosystem. Youths from urban and semi-urban areas recognize the available opportunities for skilling and livelihood improvement. With the help of this initiative, aspiring candidates can choose from a plethora of skill courses in sectors such as healthcare, IT, AI-data science, cloud application, digital marketing, hospitality, animation, gaming, graphic designing, and drone technology. These courses, driven by changing industry dynamics, offer substantial placement opportunities and potential for international mobility.“

Many aspiring candidates are left without the necessary financial backing to pursue skill training due to the lack of a robust skill loan market. To maintain a smooth credit flow in the skilling sector and offer affordable finance for specialized skill courses to low-income youths, the MSDE introduced the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Skill Development (CCFSSD) in July 2015. The updated Model Skill Loan Scheme aims to overcome the hurdles in meeting the demands of a highly skilled workforce amid rapid technological advancements.

Gracing the event were the Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari; AICTE, Shri T.G. Sitharam; Senior Economic Advisor, MSDE, Shri Nilambuj Sharan; alongside CEO, CEO, NSDC, and MD, NSDC International, Shri Ved Mani Tiwari; Chairman, National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC), Shri Durgesh Pandey, Deputy CEO, Indian Banks Association, Shri Gopal Bhagat and CEO, Eduvanz Financial Services, Shri Varun Chopra.

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