Regional Skill Ministers’ Conference ‘Kaushal Manthan’ Successfully Held in Chandigarh
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 28, 2025: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, organized the "Kaushal Manthan - Regional Skill Ministers' Conference" in Chandigarh today. The conference, chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, brought together Skill Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior officers, and policymakers from states across North India including Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
The main focus of the conference was the "National Scheme for ITI Upgradation and Establishment of National Centres of Excellence." Inspired by the Prime Minister's mantra of skilling, reskilling, and upskilling, the scheme plans to transform 1,000 government ITIs into world-class institutions via a hub-and-spoke model led by industry special purpose vehicles. Approximately ₹60,000 crore has been allocated for this transformative program.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary highlighted the critical role of ITI upgradation and the new centres in providing industry-oriented, modern training that enhances youth employability. He pointed to India's rapid rise in startup numbers—from just 600 in 2014 to over 1.5 lakh in 2025—as evidence of the synergy between youth potential and skill development initiatives driving the nation’s innovative future.
Emphasizing gender inclusion, Shri Chaudhary noted that women currently make up about 40% of India’s workforce, calling their participation the real power behind India’s progress and inclusive growth. He urged young people to take ownership in skill development, as their activism and commitment would be key to India becoming a global hub of skill and innovation.
The conference also explored flagship programs such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, digital learning platforms, skill standardization, and integration of vocational training under NEP 2020.
Leaders from various states shared their pioneering initiatives, including Punjab’s ITI reforms and skill centres of excellence, Haryana’s Drone Didi scheme and Skill University, Bihar’s Industry 4.0 collaborations, Jammu & Kashmir’s Mission YUVA, and Uttarakhand’s partnerships with industry for Industry 4.0 readiness.
Concluding the conference, participants committed to preparing detailed State Action Plans, enhancing industry partnerships, and leveraging digital platforms for transparency and scale. Shri Jayant Chaudhary described "Kaushal Manthan" not just as a conference, but as a call for unified action to make skilling aspirational and impactful towards building a developed Bharat by 2047.