The government has announced a National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute in Kanpur. The centre will be set up in collaboration with France under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme. The announcement was made during the India-France Year of Innovation, denoting cooperation in skills, technology and industrial training.
Key Features of the Centre
- The centre will focus on aeronautics and defence skilling.
- It will be located at the National Skill Training Institute, Kanpur.
- It will be developed under the PM-SETU scheme.
- French collaboration will support global standards in training.
Strategic Significance
The initiative is expected to create a pipeline of skilled professionals for aviation, defence and advanced manufacturing. It also strengthens India-France cooperation in emerging and advanced technology sectors. The centre is designed to improve employability and support mobility of Indian youth in global job markets.
Link with Skill Development Policy
- The project reflects the government’s focus on aligning skills with industry needs.
- It supports the broader goal of upgrading industrial training institutions.
- It is intended to prepare youth for high-skill sectors with international demand.
- It adds to India’s efforts to build a future-ready workforce.
India-France Cooperation Context
The announcement came during the launch of the India-France Year of Innovation, reinforcing bilateral ties beyond diplomacy into education, skills and technology. The collaboration is also relevant for India’s push towards advanced manufacturing, aerospace capability and defence modernisation.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026