On October 4, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme during the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh in New Delhi.
This flagship initiative marks a decisive leap toward integrating education, skilling, and entrepreneurship, aligning India’s youth with global skill demands. The launch also coincided with the rollout of multiple youth-focused initiatives worth over ₹62,000 crore.
“PM-SETU will connect India’s youth with the world’s skill demands,” said the Prime Minister.
Core Objective and Massive Investment
At its heart, PM-SETU aims to transform 1,000 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into modern, industry-driven centers of excellence.
With an unprecedented ₹60,000 crore investment, the scheme represents one of India’s most ambitious initiatives to revamp its vocational education ecosystem.
The mission: to make India’s youth future-ready by meeting present and emerging industrial skill needs over the next decade.
Hub-and-Spoke Model: Expanding Reach and Quality
PM-SETU adopts a hub-and-spoke model to ensure high-quality, inclusive training delivery:
- Structure: 200 hub ITIs connected to 800 spoke ITIs.
- Hub ITIs: Serve as Centres of Excellence, equipped with:
- Advanced infrastructure and smart labs
- Innovation and incubation centres
- Production and training facilities
- Placement and industry linkage units
- Spoke ITIs: Extend reach and access to underserved regions, ensuring uniform skill availability nationwide.
Key Features and Implementation Strategy
The PM-SETU initiative emphasizes industry partnership, outcome-based training, and flexible learning:
- Curriculum Revamp: Courses redesigned in collaboration with industry leaders to ensure employability.
- Outcome-Based Governance: Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) managed by anchor industries to oversee cluster performance.
- Flexible Pathways: From long-term diplomas to short-term and executive programs, catering to diverse learners.
- Strengthening NSTIs: Five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) will be upgraded into global-standard Centres of Excellence at:
- Bhubaneswar (Odisha)
- Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
- Hyderabad (Telangana)
- Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
- Ludhiana (Punjab)
Global Backing and Phase I Rollout
The PM-SETU initiative is backed by co-financing from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), reflecting strong global confidence in India’s skilling vision.
Phase I will establish 15 hub-and-spoke clusters across key industrial regions:
- Sonipat (Haryana)
- Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
- Bijnor and Meerut (Uttar Pradesh)
- Haridwar (Uttarakhand)
- Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh)
- Bengaluru Urban (Karnataka)
- Bharatpur (Rajasthan)
- Darbhanga and Patna (Bihar)
- Hoshiarpur (Punjab)
- Hyderabad (Telangana)
- Sambalpur (Odisha)
- Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
- Guwahati (Assam)
Each of these clusters will evolve into a model skill ecosystem, blending technology, industry collaboration, and modern pedagogy.
A Bold Step Toward India@2047
PM-SETU is not just a policy—it’s a visionary transformation of India’s skill landscape.
By fusing education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, the scheme empowers millions of youth to become globally competitive professionals.
As India marches toward India@2047, PM-SETU is poised to become the cornerstone of a future-ready, skilled, and employable workforce.
