New Delhi: PM-SETU steering committee approved five Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) worth ₹1,194.92 crore on 16 October. The plans cover ITI clusters across Maharashtra, Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir. The National Steering Committee (NSC) of the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) reviewed the scheme’s progress at its 6th meeting.
With these approvals, the cumulative investment approved under the scheme has reached ₹3,687 crore. The Government of India describes this as another significant milestone in its efforts to transform Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into modern, industry-aligned and future-ready skill institutions. Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), chaired the meeting.
Senior MSDE officials, including Additional Secretary Shri Niranjan Kumar Sudhanshu and Joint Secretary Smt. Manasi Sahay Thakur, attended. Representatives from the Directorate General of Training (DGT), State Governments and Union Territories were present as well. Industry partners, multilateral development banks (MDBs) and other stakeholders associated with PM-SETU implementation also joined the meeting.
Ms. Mukherjee said the approvals are an important step in implementing the scheme. “They will help strengthen ITIs, improve training and increase industry participation,” she said. She encouraged clusters to work towards ISO certification and to include at least one WorldSkills-aligned trade or competency area in their Approved Implementation Plans. Her stated aim is to improve training quality and help young people gain skills that lead to better employment opportunities.
She also described the progress made by Jammu & Kashmir as encouraging. In her view, it reflects a strong commitment to strengthening skilling and expanding opportunities for youth in the region.
Approved plans focus on modern infrastructure and industry links
State Governments, industry partners and participating ITIs will implement the approved plans under the PM-SETU framework. The projects will focus on modernising infrastructure and introducing industry-aligned courses. In addition, they will strengthen trainer capacity, enhance industry engagement and improve employability outcomes for youth.
The committee approved a ₹240.50 crore plan for the Kataka ITI Cluster in Odisha, in partnership with Tata Steel Foundation. Government ITI Kataka is the Hub, while Madhusudan Government ITI Choudwar, Government ITI Paradeep, Government ITI Jajpur and Government ITI Dhenkanal are the Spokes. The project aims to strengthen infrastructure, introduce new-age training programmes and enhance industry linkages to meet the emerging skill requirements of the region.
In Maharashtra, a ₹241 crore plan was cleared for the Pune ITI Cluster. BVG India Limited will implement it in consortium with BVG Foundation. Government ITI Aundh, Pune is the Hub. Government ITI Aundh (Women), Government ITI Pimpri Chinchwad, Government ITI Khed (Rajgurunagar) and Government ITI Mulshi are the Spokes.
The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar ITI Cluster in Maharashtra also received approval for a ₹238.01 crore plan, in partnership with Belrise Industries Limited. Government ITI Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is the Hub. Government ITI Paithan, Government ITI Khultabad, Government ITI Phulambri and Government ITI Gangapur are the Spokes.
For the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, the committee approved a ₹240 crore plan for the Jammu ITI Cluster, in partnership with Eagle Infra India Limited. Government ITI Jammu is the Hub. Government ITI R.S. Pura, Government ITI Nowshera, Government ITI Samba and Government ITI Kathua are the Spokes.
Finally, a ₹235.41 crore plan was approved for the Srinagar ITI Cluster in Jammu & Kashmir, in partnership with Inderdeep Infra India Limited. Government ITI Srinagar is the Hub. Government ITI Ganderbal, Government ITI Kangan, Government ITI Budgam and Government ITI Charar-i-Sharief are the Spokes.
Besides approving the plans, the committee reviewed progress under the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme in component II of PM-SETU. The programme aims to build a robust pool of industry-ready instructors with contemporary technical and pedagogical competencies. As of October 2026, National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) have trained 3,744 trainers under the programme.
