Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the top graduates of the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) from ITIs and NSTIs across India, as part of the annual Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh 2024. The Prime Minister conveyed his message through a written statement shared at the event, which celebrated the achievements of over 8 lakh graduates and highlighted the dedication to skill excellence in India’s workforce.
Organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the event took place across more than 15,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 33 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), with a central ceremony held at Kaushal Bhawan Auditorium in New Delhi. This year’s event, attended by over 19 lakh students virtually, marked a significant milestone in India’s skilling ecosystem. Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, presided over the ceremony, underscoring the government’s focus on skill development for a self-reliant India.
In his message to graduates, Prime Minister Modi called the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh a milestone for India’s skill development, as it brought together students from a wide range of training institutions. He expressed his best wishes to the graduates, noting that this ceremony is more than just a celebration of their achievements; it marks the beginning of a new journey, with their skills driving India’s growth and fostering the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. “India’s young workforce has the potential to position the country as a global hub of skilled talent,” he emphasized, adding that the MSDE is committed to providing globally relevant training opportunities through internships, technical upgrades, and international partnerships.
The Prime Minister’s message resonated with the recent initiatives by MSDE to bridge the gap between skills training and industry demands. Under the long-term skilling framework, the Directorate General of Training (DGT) conducted the All India Trade Test (AITT) for over 19 lakh students across 152 trades, with an impressive pass rate of 87.34%. Additionally, for the Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS), 84.73% of the 9,292 students who appeared for the final examination successfully passed, underscoring the high quality of training provided in ITIs and NSTIs nationwide.
At the central ceremony, 48 top-performing students of CTS and CITS were honored, including all-India toppers, trade-specific toppers, and exceptional achievers in hard engineering trades and new-age courses. This recognition underscores the transformative role that skill development plays in shaping India’s future workforce.
Shri Jayant Chaudhary highlighted the importance of aligning ITIs with local industry needs, stressing, “Our ITIs must respond to the unique demands of their regions, ensuring skill development has a tangible, positive impact. This focus will help strengthen the connection between training and employment.” He encouraged involvement from industry leaders, MPs, and MLAs in upgrading ITIs to ensure students acquire industry-relevant skills. Special guest Preethi Pal, a distinguished para-athlete and recent Paralympics bronze medalist, delivered an inspiring address, urging students to persevere despite challenges.
In line with emerging global trends, MSDE launched an introductory module on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for all ITI students, developed by DGT to equip students with foundational AI knowledge. Other highlights of the event included the release of a new Employability Skills (ES) Facilitator Manual to enhance training delivery, as well as in-depth learning resources for CITS instructors in trades such as Fitter, Electrician, and Electronics Mechanic, developed by NSTIs and NIMI.
The Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh 2024 celebrated not only the achievements of the graduates but also the collaborative efforts of policymakers, trainers, and industry leaders who are helping build India’s skilled workforce. The event reinforced India’s vision for a skilled, self-reliant future and inspired graduates to drive change in their fields, embodying the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.