Andhra Pradesh Ist to Roll Out PM‑SETU as Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster Plan by AM/NS India and NAMTECH Gets Govt Approval

Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in India to operationalize the ₹60,000‑crore PM‑SETU scheme, with the National Steering Committee approving the Strategic Investment Plan for the Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster led by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) and NAMTECH. This marks the first industry‑academic partnership cleared under PM‑SETU, setting a precedent for ITI transformation nationwide.

The approval was accorded during the 3rd National Steering Committee Meeting convened by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi.

The milestone represents the first concrete step towards implementing PM-SETU's vision of transforming Government ITIs into industry-managed, outcome-oriented institutions through deep partnerships between State Governments and leading industry players.

Andhra Pradesh First to Operationalize PM‑SETU

Key Highlights

• Scheme: Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM‑SETU)
• Approval: First‑ever Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) cleared by the National Steering Committee (NSC)
• Location: Visakhapatnam ITI Cluster, Andhra Pradesh
• Partners: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (Anchor Industry Partner) + NAMTECH (Academic Partner)
• Outcome: Andhra Pradesh becomes the first state to operationalize PM‑SETU’s industry‑led Hub‑and‑Spoke model

National Steering Committee Meeting

• Date & Venue: 3rd NSC meeting, Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi
• Chair: Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
• Participants: Directorate General of Training, Capacity Building Commission, NCVET, ministries (Commerce, Heavy Industries, Labour), state governments, industry leaders (HAL, Hero MotoCorp, Bajaj Auto, ITC, AM/NS India), and development partners (ADB, World Bank)

Significance of the Approval

• First Anchor Industry Partner (AIP): AM/NS India onboarded under PM‑SETU
• Model for Other States: Visakhapatnam cluster expected to serve as a template for industry‑driven vocational training reforms
• Industry‑Managed ITIs: Transition from government‑run to outcome‑oriented, industry‑aligned institutions
• Future Workforce: Aligns vocational education with evolving sectoral demands and advanced manufacturing needs

PM‑SETU Scheme Overview

Feature	Details
Budget	₹60,000 crore
Scope	Transform 1,000 Government ITIs
Model	Industry‑led Hub‑and‑Spoke
Focus	Infrastructure modernization, industry engagement, employability outcomes
Goal	Establish National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) in high‑growth sectors for Viksit Bharat 2047

Next Steps

• Pipeline: 32 States/UTs have set up State Steering Committees; 12 have floated RFPs for Anchor Industry Partners
• Implementation Phase: Several proposals nearing closure; more SIPs expected to be approved in coming months
• National Impact: Accelerates India’s vocational education reforms, ensuring ITIs remain responsive to future workforce requirements

India’s Skill Revolution Accelerates: PM Modi Unveils PM-SETU, Felicitates ITI Toppers, Inaugurates 1,200 School Skill Labs

At a grand ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi presided over the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh, felicitating 46 All India Toppers from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country. This marked the 4th edition of the National Skill Convocation, a unique initiative that was first conceptualised under the inspiration of the Prime Minister to make skill development aspirational.

On the occasion, the Prime Minister also launched PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) — a landmark ₹60,000 crore centrally sponsored scheme to transform 1,000 Government ITIs across India into modern, industry-aligned training institutions.

PM-SETU will follow a hub-and-spoke model, with 200 hub ITIs linked to 800 spoke ITIs. Each hub will be equipped with advanced infrastructure, innovation and incubation centres, production units, training of trainer facilities, and placement services, while the spokes will extend access and outreach. The scheme will:

• Introduce new, demand-driven courses and revamp existing ones in collaboration with industry;
• Set up Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) with credible Anchor Industry Partners to manage clusters and ensure outcome-based training;
• Create pathways for long-term diplomas, short-term courses, and executive programs;
• Strengthen 5 National Skill Training Institutes in - Bhubaneswar (Odisha), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Hyderabad (Telangana), Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), Ludhiana (Punjab), as Centres of Excellence with global partnerships.

Under the first phase of PM-SETU, 15 hub-and-spoke ITI clusters have been identified across the country, spanning diverse regions and industrial ecosystems. These include 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), and Guwahati (Assam)

Each cluster will serve as a centre of excellence in skills, equipped with advanced infrastructure, modern trades, and industry-led training, creating model ecosystems that can be replicated nationwide.

Adding a transformative step for school education, the Prime Minister also virtually inaugurated 1,200 Vocational Skill Labs set up in 400 Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across 34 States and UTs.

These labs are designed to expose school-going children, including those from rural and tribal areas, to hands-on training in 12 high-demand sectors such as Information Technology, Automotive, Agriculture, Electronics, Logistics, BFSI and Tourism. Each lab is equipped with modern machinery, digital tools and simulation-based learning modules. In line with NEP 2020 and the CBSE curriculum, 1,200 vocational teachers have been trained to deliver industry-relevant learning, building an early pipeline of future-ready talent. This initiative will ensure that skilling starts at the school level, empowering students to explore multiple career pathways early in life.

In his address, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi underscored the central role of Industrial Training Institutes in shaping India’s skilled workforce. He said –

ITIs are not only premier institutions of industrial education, they are also the workshops of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.” He noted that these institutes are nurturing millions of young Indians with practical knowledge and employable skills, turning them into confident contributors to the nation’s economy. The Prime Minister emphasised that as India marches towards becoming a skill-based economy, ITIs will remain the bedrock of this transformation, equipping youth with the tools to thrive in a rapidly evolving global market.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, said: “Today, Hon’ble Prime Minister has given a clear message to India’s youth — focus on your skills, pursue quality education and keep moving forward with confidence. Eleven years ago, when he created a dedicated Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, he laid the strong foundation for a Viksit Bharat. With initiatives like Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh, PM-SETU and the Skill Labs, we are carrying forward that vision to empower every young Indian to become self-reliant, capable and globally competitive.”

These announcements reaffirm the Government’s commitment to transforming India into a skill-based economy, preparing youth for opportunities in India and across the world, and accelerating the journey towards Viksit Bharat @2047.

Tata Technologies and Telangana Govt Collaborate To Modernize 65 ITIs across the State with Industry 4.0 Technologies

Tata Technologies collaborates with the Government of Telangana to transform 65 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) into Skill Development Centers

• The collaboration with Tata Technologies and its global partners will enable the Government of Telangana to modernize 65 government-owned ITIs across the state with the latest industry 4.0 technologies, industry-ready courseware and trainers.
• The upgraded Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will serve as Skill Development Centers, strengthening the technical proficiency and employability of students as well as meeting industry demand for a skilled workforce.
• The upgraded Skill Development Centers will offer 8 long-term courses and 23 short-term courses that cater to Industry 4.0 demands, training over 9,000 students on long-term courses and over 1,00,000 students on short-term courses annually at full capacity.

Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, has signed a 5-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Telangana to modernize 65 government-owned ITIs across the state with a total project cost of INR 2324 Crores. This collaboration is an extension of Tata Technologies’ efforts to support projects of high social impact and complement the efforts of the Telangana Government to enhance the availability of skilled talent and attract investments from industries desirous of setting-up manufacturing infrastructure in Telangana. The upgraded Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) will serve as Skill Development Centers, strengthening the technical proficiency and employability of students. By training a workforce that is not only highly skilled in Industry 4.0 tools & technologies but also primed for immediate industry deployment, these centres will stimulate the economic progression and holistic development of the state.

The Telangana government has launched various skill development initiatives to empower its diverse workforce and support the state’s manufacturing and MSME industries. The collaboration between Tata Technologies and the Telangana government will further bolster the government’s efforts toward upskilling the youth and phasing out courses with limited relevance in the evolving industrial landscape.

Tata Technologies is collaborating with 20 global industry partners to upgrade the ITIs, which will offer 8 long-term courses and 23 short-term courses that cater to Industry 4.0 demands, training over 9,000 students on long-term courses and 1,00,000 students on short-term courses annually at full capacity once the ITIs are upgraded. The upgradation and modernization of the ITIs will facilitate upskilling in sectors related to Industry 4.0, Product Design & Development, Product Verification and Virtual analysis, Design for Artisans and Handicrafts, Additive manufacturing (3D printing), Modern Automotive Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, Battery Electric Vehicle Training, IoT and Digital Instrumentation, Process Control and Automation with HMI, PLC SCADA, Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping, Industrial Robotics with arc welding, AI-based Virtual Welding & Painting, Advanced Plumbing, Digital Meters, Agriculture and Horticulture, and much more.

The MOA signing ceremony was graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, along with other dignitaries from the Telangana Government and the leadership team of Tata Technologies. The Labour and Employment Department of Telangana briefed the dignitaries about the collaboration program and skill development initiatives.

During the MOA signing event, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, said, “We’re delighted to collaborate with Tata Technologies for the transformation of ITIs into Skill Development Centers that will provide training on in-demand skills leading to better employment opportunities for the local youth. This will transform the state of Telangana into a potential investment destination for all those industry players keen on embracing Industry 4.0 and smart technologies for manufacturing.”

Speaking at the occasion, Smt. I. Rani Kumudini, IAS, Special Principal Chief Secretary, Govt. of Telangana, said, “Our collaboration with Tata Technologies to upgrade ITIs is aligned with Telangana State Skill Mission (TSSM) & Telangana Academy for Skill & Knowledge (TASK) which targets unemployed youth and recent graduates for training. Equipping them with the latest technologies will bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled workforce thereby creating more job opportunities and encouraging the youth to build their careers in the state.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Warren Harris, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Technologies, said, “In our endeavor to engineer a better world for our youth, our collaboration with the Telangana Government stands as a testament of our commitment to nurturing talent equipped for tomorrow’s challenges. By harnessing our deep-rooted expertise in product engineering and our comprehensive understanding of the manufacturing domain, we are not just upskilling; we are preparing a workforce ready to innovate within the realms of Industry 4.0. This collaboration symbolizes our pledge to develop skillsets that align with the technological advancements and dynamics of the rapidly transforming ecosystem.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Pawan Bhageria – President, Global HR, IT Admin and Education, Tata Technologies, said, “As India navigates through a wave of technological innovations, we at Tata Technologies are at the forefront, shaping the future of manufacturing and Industry 4.0. Our collaboration with global OEMs and deep understanding of the manufacturing value chain enables us to craft curricula that arm the youth of Telangana with the skills coveted by the industry. Our goal is to deliver comprehensive courses that furnish the essential technological acumen for upskilling, ensuring our future workforce is primed for the unfolding opportunities within the manufacturing sector.”

About Tata Technologies:

Tata Technologies (BSE: 544028, NSE: TATATECH) is a global product engineering and digital services company focused on fulfilling our mission of helping the world drive, fly, build, and farm by enabling our customers to realize better products and deliver better experiences. Tata Technologies is the strategic engineering partner businesses turn to when they aspire to be better. Manufacturing companies rely on us to enable them to conceptualize, develop and realize better products that are safer, cleaner, and improve the quality of life for all the stakeholders, helping us achieve our vision of #EngineeringABetterWorld. 

Tata Technologies Collaborates with the Chhattisgarh Govt to Transform ITIs into Industry 4.0 Technology Centres

Tata Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Government of Chhattisgarh to transform 36 government ITIs into modern technology centres leveraging its global partner network and manufacturing domain knowledge.

Tata Technologies, a global engineering and product development digital services company, announced that it has signed a 10-year Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the government of Chhattisgarh to modernize 36 government-owned ITIs in the state with a total project cost of INR 1188.36 Crores. This collaboration is an extension of Tata Technologies efforts to support projects of high social impact and complement the nation-building efforts of the Government. The upgraded ITIs will serve as skill incubation centres, strengthening the technical proficiency of students and potential employers. We believe that by training a workforce that is not only highly skilled on Industry 4.0 tools & technologies but also primed for faster industry deployment, these centres will stimulate the economic progression and holistic development of the state.

The Chhattisgarh government has launched various skill development initiatives to empower its diverse workforce and enable the state manufacturing and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) industry. This includes schemes like Kaushal Vikas Yojana for training youth on healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, and services as well as Skill-on-Wheels for remote area training. The state government's initiatives of Suraji Gaon Yojana, aiming to establish Gauthans, are becoming centers of employment in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors. We believe that this collaboration between Tata Technologies and Chhattisgarh government will strengthen the government’s effort towards upskilling youth on some of the latest technologies as well as attract investments from businesses desirous of adoption Industry 4.0 manufacturing practices.

Tata Technologies is collaborating with 20 global industry partners to upgrade the ITIs which will offer six new trades and 23 new short-term courses that cater to Industry 4.0 demands. The upgraded ITIs will train over 10,000 students annually at full capacity. It will facilitate upskilling in sectors related to Industry 4.0, Product Design & Development, Product Verification and Virtual analysis, Design for Artisans and Handicrafts, Additive manufacturing (3D printing), Modern Automotive Maintenance Repair and Overhaul, Battery Electric Vehicle Training, IoT and Digital Instrumentation, Process Control and Automation with HMI, PLC SCADA, Advanced Manufacturing and Prototyping, Industrial Robotics with arc welding, AI-based Virtual Welding & Painting, Advanced Plumbing, Digital Meters, Agriculture and Horticulture, and much more.

MoA Ceremony

The MOA signing ceremony was graced by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Bhupesh Baghel along with other dignitaries from Chhattisgarh Government and Leadership team of Tata Technologies.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, the Honourable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Bhupesh Baghel, said, "We are determined to nurture the potential of Chhattisgarh's youth, to accelerate the state's industrial growth and economic advancement. Our strategic collaboration with Tata Technologies will empower the youth, arming them with a comprehensive understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies and enhancing their employability while also bolstering the state's industrial landscape through the provision of adept, ready-to-serve human capital."

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Warren Harris, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Technologies, said, "We are delighted to extend our collaborative efforts in upskilling the youth by collaborating with the Government of Chhattisgarh. The significant step towards upskilling the young engineers with Industry 4.0 technology, aligns with our vision of engineering a better world, which includes a better future for the youth at Chhattisgarh.”

Speaking at the occasion, Dr Alok Shukla, Principal Secretary, Technical Education, Chhattisgarh, said, "Our collaboration with Tata Technologies to upgrade ITIs focuses on aligning the education, knowledge, and skills of young individuals with demands of Industry at Chhattisgarh. Equipping them with the latest technologies will bridge the gap between demand and supply of skilled workforce thereby creating more job opportunities and encouraging the youth to build their careers in the state. This will also establish the state as a coveted investment destination for industries looking to embrace Industry 4.0 and smart technologies for their manufacturing processes.”

Commenting on the collaboration, Mr. Pawan Bhageria – President, Global HR, IT Admin and Education, Tata Technologies, said, "We are excited to join hands with the Government of Chhattisgarh in this collaboration towards empowering the youth with skills for Industry 4.0. We are leveraging our product engineering expertise and manufacturing domain knowledge to deliver an industry-ready courseware and training platform that we believe will create a new era of digital skill development, offering a brighter future for the youth of Chhattisgarh.”

About Tata Technologies:  Its a global product engineering and digital services company focused on fulfilling our mission of helping the world drive, fly, build, and farm by enabling our customers to realize better products and deliver better experiences. We are the strategic engineering partner businesses turn to when they aspire to be better. Manufacturing companies rely on us to enable them to conceptualize, develop and realize better products that are safer, cleaner, and improve the quality of life for all the stakeholders, helping us achieve our vision of #EngineeringABetterWorld. 

58 Startups in IoT, Defence & Communication Tech Ink Deals with Govt.-owned ITI Limited

India's central government-owned manufacturer of telecommunications equipment, Indian Telephone Industries Limited, (ITI), has signed agreements with 58 startups and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) covering manufacturing solutions related to information and communication technology (ICT), Internet of Things (IoT) and Defence technology, to give fillip to entrepreneurship.

The agreements, including 8 Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements, were signed during the 1st edition of "ICT & IoT Start-up Tech Expo" on the sprawling premises of ITI in Bengaluru. Among the 400 startups, 58 have been shortlisted.

On the second day of Expo, ITI signed ToT agreements with eight companies -- TEC, 3S Sensor, Nivette Sytems, Lekha Wireless, Quantum Storage, Innoworx, AGT and Cambium Networks.

The solution being offered by start-up companies include civil and military advanced radar systems, advanced edge router systems, next generation 5G technology products, data storage and networking solutions, digital security solutions, advanced metering solutions and WiFi products and solutions.

The agreements signed would help ITI to diversify its manufacturing capabilities in partnership with start-ups, thereby supporting the sustainable turnaround of ITI, which is country’s first Public Sector Unit (PSU) post-independence and premier telecom manufacturing company, founded in 1948.

The agreements were signed in the presence of Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Communications and Minister of State for Railways, Manoj Sinha, and Chairman, Telecom Commission and Secretary, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Aruna Sundararajan.

“With more than 20,000 start-ups, India has the second largest ecosystem for start-ups in the world. Such events will provide an effective platform for start-ups to convert their innovative ideas into marketable products and services. Young India should serve India,” said Sinha.

The 2-days ICT & IoT Start-up Tech Expo in Bengaluru was hosted in order to enable startups and technology owners to discuss, discover and collaborate to convert their innovative ideas into marketable products & services in field of ICT & IOT. The event hosted around 500 technocrats and entrepreneurs from the ICT, IOT & Defence Sectors.

More than 100 reputed startups displayed their innovative products at the expo. ITI has been a pioneer in implementing government initiatives such as Digital India, Startup India, Make in India, Skill India. The expo also allowed ITI to proactively engage with startups so as to have a long term strategic alliance with a view to manufacture and offer best solutions in ICT and IOT segment.

Smt. Aruna Sundararajan, Chairman, Telecom Commission and Secretary, Department of Telecommunications in her address said “The draft National Digital Communications Policy 2018 emphasizes domestic manufacturing of digital communications equipment and components, and aims to introduce a Phased Manufacturing Program for identified product segments to accelerate the achievement of this goal. ITI will manufacture some of the innovative products that have emerged from this unique event. The new manufacturing initiatives of ITI, in partnership with the startups, should focus on creating Indian IPRs in the communications sector.”

Source - Press Information Bureau