The 5th National Steering Committee meeting of the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) approved Strategic Investment Plans worth INR 735.70 crore for ITI clusters in Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh. The approvals take the total sanctioned investment under the scheme to INR 2,171 crore across nine clusters.
By – Anchal Sachdeva
The 5th National Steering Committee (NSC) meeting of PM-SETU was held under the chairpersonship of Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
The meeting was attended by Dilip Kumar, Director General, Directorate General of Training; G. Madhumita Das, Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser; Manasi Sahay Thakur, Joint Secretary, MSDE; senior officials from the Ministry and state governments; representatives of multilateral development banks; and industry partners.
The NSC approved Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) with a combined project outlay of INR 735.70 crore for three ITI clusters. The approvals support PM-SETU’s industry-led Hub-and-Spoke model, which focuses on modernising infrastructure, introducing future-ready courses and aligning training programmes with changing industry requirements.
The approved SIPs include INR 241 crore for the Bhiwadi ITI cluster in Rajasthan, INR 254.30 crore for the Medchal ITI cluster in Telangana and INR 240.40 crore for the Meerut ITI cluster in Uttar Pradesh.
The Rajasthan SIP, submitted by H.G. Infra Engineering Limited (HGIEL), covers Government ITI Bhiwadi as the Hub, with Government ITI Alwar, Government ITI Neemrana, Government ITI Tijara and Government ITI Kishangarh Bas as Spokes.
The Telangana SIP, submitted by ZEN Technologies Limited, covers Government ITI Medchal as the Hub, with Government ITI Alwal, Government ITI Shameerpet, Government ITI Kukunoorpally and Government ITI Siddipet as Spokes. The proposal had been deferred during the 4th NSC meeting pending clarifications on operational and financial aspects. Following detailed responses from the Anchor Industry Partner on course structure, financial calculations, eligibility, documentation and civil works, the Committee approved the SIP.
The Uttar Pradesh SIP, submitted by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), covers Government ITI Saket, Meerut, as the Hub, with Government ITI Ghaziabad, Government ITI Hapur, Government ITI Gautam Buddha Nagar and Government ITI Baghpat as Spokes.
The respective State Steering Committees evaluated and recommended the SIPs before placing them before the NSC. The plans provide for infrastructure modernisation, upgrading existing trades, introducing new long-term and short-term courses, and improving operational capabilities.
The approvals take the total sanctioned investment under PM-SETU to INR 2,171 crore across nine ITI clusters. The investment is expected to strengthen collaboration among the Union Government, state governments and industry partners while expanding access to training aligned with emerging technologies, evolving employment opportunities and industry needs.
A Shareholders’ Agreement was also signed during the meeting among H.G. Infra Engineering Limited, the Government of Rajasthan and the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. Sandeep Verma, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Government of Rajasthan, was present for the signing.
The agreement formally begins implementation of the Bhiwadi ITI cluster under PM-SETU and makes Rajasthan the first state to execute a Shareholders’ Agreement under the scheme.
The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) is a flagship Government of India scheme aimed at transforming the ITI ecosystem through industry partnerships, modern infrastructure, upgraded training programmes and improved employability outcomes. Its cluster-based model links a Hub ITI with a network of Spoke ITIs to support coordinated investment, modernisation and delivery of industry-relevant skills.
