The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) convened the inaugural meeting of SARTHI (Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation) on 12 June 2026. This apex advisory body is tasked with modernizing vocational training under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) to align with contemporary industry requirements across India’s 13,888 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).
Strategic Reform Pillars
- Curriculum & Technology: Updating syllabi to include Industry 4.0, AI, robotics, green energy, and EV maintenance.
- Instructor Development: Implementing mandatory re-skilling and industrial attachments for trainers via National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
- Assessment Overhaul: Shifting from theory-based testing to continuous, practical, and simulation-based competency assessments overseen by NCVET.
- Inclusivity: Enhancing female participation in technical trades through improved infrastructure, flexible shifts, and scholarships.
- Infrastructure & Governance: Utilizing Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and CSR funds to upgrade workshops and establishing a unified digital governance portal.
IASPOINT Booster Facts
- Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): Launched in 1950; the foundational framework for vocational training in India.
- NCVET: The apex regulator for standardizing qualifications and regulating assessment agencies.
- Dual System of Training (DST): Combines classroom learning with on-the-job training (OJT) in industrial enterprises.
- STRIVE Project: A World Bank-assisted program supporting the efficiency and relevance of ITI vocational training.
- NAPS (2016): Provides financial incentives to industries for hiring ITI pass-outs as apprentices.