Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:08PM by PIB Delhi

Government has approved Semicon India programme with a total outlay of Rs 76,000 crore for the development of semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in India. which provides:

1. Fiscal support of 50% of the project cost on pari-passu basis for setting up of Silicon Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) based Semiconductor Fabs in India.
2. Fiscal support of 50% of Project Cost on pari-passu basis for setting up of Display Fabs in India.
3. Fiscal support of 50% of the Capital Expenditure on pari-passu basis for setting up of Compound Semiconductors / Silicon Photonics (SiPh) / Sensors (including Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) Fab/ Discrete Semiconductor Fab and Semiconductor Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) / Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) facilities in India.
4. Product Design Linked Incentive of up to 50% of the eligible expenditure subject to a ceiling of ₹15 Crore per application and also “Deployment Linked Incentive” of 6% to 4% of net sales turnover over 5 years subject to a ceiling of ₹30 Crore per application for incentivising chip design.

Government has also approved modernisation of Semi-Conductor Laboratory, Mohali to enhance efficiency and cycle time.

Government has approved five semiconductor manufacturing projects that includes One Semiconductor Fabrication facility and four Semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facilities under Semicon India Program with cumulative investment of around Rs. 1,52,000 crore.  The approved projects are under various phases of implementation and are expected to be completed in 4–6-year timeframe.

Further, to strengthen semiconductor manufacturing and creating a semiconductor ecosystem in the country, Government has entered in Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with USA, European Union, Japan and Singapore.

Semiconductor manufacturing is very complex and Technology intensive sector which requires specialized skilled manpower. To address this, the following measures have been taken by the Government:

1. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has launched the new curriculum for B. Tech in Electronics Engineering (Very Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) Design and Technology), Diploma in Integrated Circuit (IC) manufacturing and Minor Degree in Electronics Engineering (VLSI Design and Technology), as a step towards creation of Talent pool in Semiconductor domain.
2. Government has launched the Chips to Startup (‘C2S’) programme which plans to train 85,000 industry ready workforce at about 113 participating institutions in VLSI and Embedded System Design. More than 43,000 engineering students have been onboarded for training at 113 organizations under C2S Programme till date.
3. A Skilled Manpower Advanced Research and Training (SMART) Lab has been setup in NIELIT Calicut in 2022 with an aim to train one lakh engineers nation-wide within 5 years in VLSI and Embedded System design. More than 42,000 engineers have been trained nationwide using the SMART Lab.
4. Further, the following collaborations/ partnerships have been entered into by India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to encourage skill development:

 

1. MoU between ISM with IISc and Lam Research: To train about 60,000 Indian engineers in the upcoming 10 years through Lam Research’s Semiverse platform.
2. MoU between ISM and IBM:  To facilitate Indian students/professionals to build a broad skill base by gaining access to laboratories and research focal centers and establishing internship and fellowship programs.
3. MoU between ISM with Purdue University: To promote the cutting-edge research and development and commercialization thereof, curating skilled talent pool and investment opportunities in India enabling the Indian professionals to explore their potential in the semiconductor and display space.

Government is focused on its objective of building the overall semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem with an emphasis on fostering R&D in semiconductor area in the country. MeitY supports R&D projects in the area of semiconductors at academic institutions, research organizations, and startup companies through a dedicated R&D Scheme. Some of them includes but not limited to the following- nanotechnology, semiconductor materials, semiconductor processes, chip design, semiconductor IP Cores etc

This information was given by the Minister of State for Electronics & Information Technology Shri Jitin Prasada in Lok Sabha today.

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Dharmendra TewariNavin Sreejith

(Release ID: 2117925) Visitor Counter : 70

Source: Government of India

Fiscal Health Index 2025

Mapping India’s State-Level Economic Resilience

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:42PM by PIB Delhi

Introduction

The Fiscal Health Index (FHI) initiative by NITI Aayog aims to evolve an understanding of the fiscal health of states in India. The FHI analysis covers eighteen major states that drive the Indian economy in terms of their contribution to India’s GDP, demography, total public expenditure, revenues, and overall fiscal stability. Odisha leads the Index, followed by Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand and Gujarat. As states are responsible for approximately two-thirds of public spending and one-third of total revenue, their fiscal performance is important for the country’s overall economic stability. The report objectively evaluates each state’s fiscal health through a composite index, facilitating comparisons and benchmarking against best practices. The composite Fiscal Health Index has been developed using data from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), covering the Financial Year 2022-23.

 

Objectives of the Fiscal Health Index

 

• To provide a comparative analysis of fiscal health across Indian states through standardized metrics.
• To identify areas of strength and concern in states’ fiscal management practices.
• To promote transparency, accountability, and prudent fiscal management through empirical assessment.
• To assist policymakers in making informed decisions aimed at enhancing fiscal sustainability and resilience.

 

Key Indicators Evaluated

 

The Fiscal Health Index 2025 is based on a comprehensive set of indicators that are grouped into five broad categories:

1. Tax Buoyancy Tax buoyancy is a ratio of change in tax revenue in relation to change in gross state domestic product or GSDP of a state. It measures how responsive a taxation policy is to growth in economic activities.

   Revenue Generation and Mobilization: Assessment of states’ own revenue receipts, tax buoyancy, and non-tax revenue generation.

2. Debt-to-GSDP The debt-to-GDP ratio is a metric that compares a state’s total public debt to its gross state domestic product (GSDP), indicating its ability to repay its debts, and is often expressed as a percentage.

   Expenditure Management and Prioritization: Evaluation of efficiency in expenditure allocation, prioritization of capital expenditure, and adherence to fiscal discipline.

3. Debt Management: Analysis of states’ debt-to-GSDP ratios, interest payment burdens, and overall sustainability of debt portfolios.
4. Fiscal Deficit Management: Measurement of states’ fiscal deficit as a percentage of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and adherence to statutory limits.
5. Overall Fiscal Sustainability: Composite analysis of revenue, expenditure, deficit, and debt indicators to gauge long-term fiscal health.

 

Key Findings

Odisha leads the fiscal health index with a top score of 67.8, excelling in the Debt Index (99.0) and Debt Sustainability (64.0). It maintains low fiscal deficits, a strong debt profile, and a high Capital Outlay/GSDP ratio. Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6) follow, excelling in Debt Index and Revenue Mobilization, respectively. Odisha, Jharkhand, Goa, and Chhattisgarh excel in non-tax revenue mobilization, averaging 21% of Total Revenue, with Odisha benefiting from mining premiums and Chhattisgarh from coal block auctions. Conversely, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Kerala face significant fiscal challenges, including low expenditure quality, poor debt sustainability, and high fiscal deficits. States like Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh allocate around 27% of their Developmental Expenditure to Capital Expenditure, while West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan allocate only about 10%. While top states excel in Debt Index and Sustainability, West Bengal and Punjab struggle with rising debt-to-GSDP ratios, raising concerns about debt sustainability.

 

Sustainability of Debt Portfolios Sustainability of debt portfolios refers to state’s ability to meet its current and future debt obligations without defaulting or requiring exceptional financial assistance, focusing on both solvency and liquidity.

• Top Performers: Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Goa excel in Debt Index, Debt Sustainability, and Revenue Mobilization.
• Revenue Mobilization: Odisha, Jharkhand, Goa, and Chhattisgarh effectively mobilize non-tax revenue (average 21% of Total Revenue).

• Debt Index The ratio of Interest Payments to Revenue Receipts (IP/RR) indicating the percentage of Revenue Receipts used for interest payment on account of outstanding debt.

  Aspirational States: Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala face fiscal challenges like poor debt sustainability and high deficits.

• Capital Expenditure: High allocation (27%) by Odisha, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh; Low allocation (10%) by West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan.
• Debt Concerns: West Bengal and Punjab face growing debt burdens and increasing debt-to-GSDP ratios.

 

 

Conclusion

 

The Fiscal Health Index 2025 offers a valuable tool for assessing the fiscal performance of Indian states. It highlights the need for continuous monitoring, prudent fiscal management, and proactive measures to enhance states’ financial health. The Index underscores the importance of revenue generation, efficient expenditure management, debt control, and adherence to fiscal deficit targets for overall fiscal sustainability. The FHI report has been shared with all States/UTs to help them evaluate their fiscal performance across key indicators. States are encouraged to adopt sustainable fiscal practices suited to their economies and work towards fiscal prudence through appropriate state-level interventions

References

https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2025-01/Fiscal_Health_Index_24012025_Final.pdf

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU5286_7JIvqM.pdf?source=pqals

Fiscal Health Index 2025

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Santosh Kumar | Ritu Kataria | Rishita Aggarwal

(Release ID: 2117890) Visitor Counter : 41

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 6:10PM by PIB Delhi

Following measures have been adopted to establish a resilient and cost-effective coal evacuation logistics system:

1. Coal Logistic Plan and Policy was launched by Ministry of Coal in February, 2024 to enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce costs & promote sustainability.
2. Development of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Projects to enhance the efficiency of coal evacuation from mines to dispatch points. These projects focus on developing mechanized coal loading infrastructure, such as conveyor belts, and crushers with minimal manual intervention to make the system more cost-effective.

• iii. Improvement in Rail Infrastructure to expand rail network to ensure smoother and faster evacuation of coal.
  • iv. Use of Rail Sea Rail Mode as an alternate route to rail or road for coal evacuation especially for power plants and industries located near coastal regions to ease the coal transportation movement in the country.

39 First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects with a total capacity of 386 million tons have been completed by coal companies.

During last two years, coal movement via Rail-sea-Rail route has increased from about  28 million tons in financial year 2021-22 to about 54 million tons in financial year 2023-24.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

(Release ID: 2117927) Visitor Counter : 59

Source: Government of India

Ministry of Science & Technology

NATIONAL MISSION ON INTERDISCIPLINARY-CYBER PHYSICAL SYSTEMS

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:37PM by PIB Delhi

(Release ID: 2117875)

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:38PM by PIB Delhi

A call for proposals (CFP) on “Geospatial Technology and Solutions” was issued on 13^th June 2024 through the Electronic Project Management System Portal (e-PMS portal), in which Proposals were invited only in consortium mode, comprising academia, startups/MSMEs/industry, and user-agencies/practitioners.

A total of 280 proposals were received under this CFP. The proposal titled “Spring Shed Management and linking of Ecohydrological processes to Human well-being in water-scarce regions of the Western Ghats using Geospatial Technology” was also received online under the above said CFP.  The proposal aimed to develop a Geographical Information System (GIS)-based Spring Information System for selected districts of Western Ghats for assessing climate and land use impacts on watershed hydrology.

A Project Screening Committee was constituted under the Chairmanship of an eminent professor and other Expert members representing, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Survey of India (SoI), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Central Universities, Other IITs, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), as well as from private sector etc. The total 280 proposals received online through e-PMS portal, were presented before the Project Screening Committee during its meeting held on 26^th–27^th September 2024 at IIT Delhi. The said proposal was not recommended by the Project Screening Committee for the next level as the committee opined that “The proposal seems to be more research focused lacking scalability and commercialization potential; the consortium partner appears to lack experience and/or expertise”. Out of the 280 proposals, committee finally recommended 11proposals for financial support.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117878) Visitor Counter : 76

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:39PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Scientists have developed advanced technologies for solid waste management, including plastic waste. Significant progress has been made by Indian researchers, institutions, and innovators in devising technologies and strategies to manage solid waste.

1. Various technologies have been developed for effective management of the solid waste. Some of these technologies are given below: –

• CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) has developed a novel high-rate bio methanation technology for decentralized applications of sewage and organic solid waste. This technology is superior in terms of biogas and bio-manure production as it incorporates novel pre and post processing technologies required for the bio methanation of organic solid waste. This technology has been commercialized and is in operation.
• CSIR- Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) has developed a decentralised solid waste management technology. The significant features of the technology include mechanized segregation system for biodegradable & non-biodegradable waste; Eco-friendly disposal of plastic waste through agglomeration process; Generation of bio-gas from organic waste and conversion of agro-waste into briquette. The technology has been transferred to industries for commercialization.
• Indian scientists have developed a technology to recycle the Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste to produce a high compressive strength Glass Foam Bricks, which are offering a sustainable alternative to conventional building materials.
• A robust mechanical separator has been developed to facilitate the efficient disassembly of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, supporting enhanced recycling and sustainability in the solar energy sector.
• CSIR- Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI) has developed a technology for the bulk utilization of fly ash in the production of synthetic fine and coarse aggregates, which can replace conventional natural aggregates in construction, promoting sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of traditional aggregate production.
• Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupathi and CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (NML) has developed a technology for recycling of graphite from spent Lithium-ion batteries for high energy Li-ion capacitors.
• With the support of DST, CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT) has developed an indigenous non-pathogenic psychrophilic bacterial formulations and composting methods for accelerated composting of municipal solid waste and agricultural waste in cold regions.
• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has setup Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) nationwide, for sorting, processing and recycling of segregated dry waste .

2. Technologies developed for management of plastic waste:

• Department of Science and Technology (DST) through Waste Management Technologies (WMT) program, has developed and demonstrated a technology for conversion of municipal mixed plastic waste to high quality plasto-fuels for transportation and industrial heating applications. A 2-TPD (Tonnes Per Day) demo plant was setup at Vadodara. The plant is flexible enough to convert all kinds of mixed plastic waste collected from residential communities, railway establishments and industries.
• Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET)-Bhubaneswar has developed an eco-friendly technology for upcycling of different grades of plastics from waste electrical and electronic equipment to high impact grade plastics.
• Recycling of plastic waste into tiles: CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL) has developed a novel technology to convert waste plastic scrap to floor tiles, interlock tiles, paver tiles, and roof tiles. The technology has been transferred to industry for commercialization.
• Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (DCPC) has established three Plastic Waste Management Centres (PWMCs) for effective plastics waste management solutions, to develop eco-friendly cost-effective value added recyclates and to establish digital demonstration facilities on plastic recycling and waste management.
• Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM): Government’s initiative like Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) has played a key role in improving solid waste and plastic-waste management, in both urban and rural areas. In October 2021, government launched the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0), with the overall vision of creating “Garbage Free Cities.” Under this mission, material recovery facilities (MRFs), waste-to-energy plants, and recycling units have been created which have led to an increase in the solid waste processing capacity by 1,05,876 TPD in the urban areas under SwachhBharat Mission Urban.

These steps reflect Government’s commitment to bridging the gap between scientific innovation and practical implementation, ensuring sustainable solid waste management and a reduction in plastic pollution.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117879) Visitor Counter : 78

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) is implementing Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) scheme to attract, nurture and retain meritorious youth to study natural sciences areas at the college and university level and to pursue research careers in both basic and applied science areas including engineering, medicine, agriculture and veterinary sciences. The ultimate objective is to expand the R&D base of the country. It is implemented on pan India scale through four components. INSPIRE scheme’s component-wise salient features are given below:

INSPIRE Internship component of INSPIRE aims at providing exposure to the top 1% students at Class X Board level by organizing Science Camps either during summer or winter and provide opportunity to them to interact with science icons from India and abroad, including Nobel Laureates, to experience the joys of scientific pursuit. These science camps nourish the curiosity of students in science, help them to think out-of-the box and attract students at an early age of 16-17 years to choose science subjects for further studies.

Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE)component of INSPIREaims to enhance the rate of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programs by providing scholarships and mentorship support. The scheme offers 12,000 scholarships of 5-year duration @ Rs 0.80 lakh per year to undertake Bachelor and master’s level education in basic and natural Sciences area for the top 1% talented youth as per central and state education board data in the age group 17-22 years.

INSPIRE Fellowshipcomponent of INSPIREaims to provide fellowship to M.Sc. 1^st Rank holders in Basic & Applied Sciences including engineering, medicine, agriculture, veterinary at the University/academic institute of national importance i.e. IITs, NITs, IISERs level examination as well as Inspire Scholars having secure 70% marks in aggregate at the MSc level who are eligible for admission to the Ph.D. program in any recognized university/ academic institutions in the country every year. The Fellowships are tenable for maximum 5 years (2 years as JRF @ Rs.37000/pm + HRA + Contingency grant of Rs.20000/annum and 3 years as SRF @ Rs.42000/pm + HRA + Contingency grant of Rs.20000/annum) or completion of PhD, whichever is earlier to pursue full-time Ph.D. program. Maximum 1000 INSPIRE Fellowships per year are tenable.

INSPIRE Faculty Fellowship component of INSPIRE aims to provide opportunities to post- doctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 year (the upper age limit for SC/ST/Women candidates and persons with benchmark disabilities is 37 and 42 years respectively) for 5 years in both basic and applied sciences area including engineering, agriculture, veterinary and medicine every year. Aspirants having Ph.D. degree with strong academic and research track record are considered on competitive basis. It grants an attractive fellowship for a duration of 5 years with a consolidated emolument of Rs. 1,25,000/- p.m. with annual increment of Rs.200 per annum and a research grant of Rs.7 lakh per annum. This scheme has motivated young researchers to pursue high-quality post-Ph.D. research within the country. Maximum 150 INSPIRE Faculty Fellowships per year are tenable.

The details of the number of students selected from the States/Union Territories during 2024-2025 till 27.03.2025 under the said scheme are given below:

S. No.	State/UT	INSPIRE-Internship	INSPIRE-SHE	INSPIRE-Fellowship	INSPIRE-Faculty Fellowship
1	Andhra Pradesh	530	5	11	0
2	Arunachal Pradesh	0	0	2	0
3	Assam	0	84	24	4
4	Bihar	0	172	6	1
5	Chandigarh	0	3	10	0
6	Chhattisgarh	150	421	13	0
7	Delhi	200	61	53	8
8	Goa	0	6	10	0
9	Gujarat	350	93	21	0
10	Haryana	0	66	7	1
11	Himachal Pradesh	450	138	7	1
12	Jammu and Kashmir	150	2	21	3
13	Jharkhand	0	23	5	3
14	Karnataka	150	60	46	16
15	Kerala	150	376	31	3
16	Madhya Pradesh	0	573	28	2
17	Maharashtra	200	198	34	8
18	Manipur	0	138	2	1
19	Meghalaya	0	49	1	0
20	Mizoram	0	13	4	0
21	Nagaland	0	9	1	0
22	Odisha	0	108	23	2
23	Puducherry	0	2	3	0
24	Punjab	550	61	30	2
25	Rajasthan	0	2879	9	0
26	Sikkim	0	0	2	0
27	Tamil Nadu	975	44	59	6
28	Telangana	450	31	36	4
29	Tripura	0	3	1	0
30	Uttar Pradesh	1200	5374	40	4
31	Uttarakhand	400	387	22	0
32	West Bengal	350	362	52	9

 

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117886) Visitor Counter : 72

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:40PM by PIB Delhi

The government has established the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) through ANRF Act of 2023, which was notified in February 2024. The ANRF aims to receive funds in the form of ANRF Fund, Innovation Fund, Science and Engineering Research Fund and Special Purpose Funds. A budgetary provision of Rs. 14,000 crores have been made from the Central Government and remaining amount will be sourced through donations from any other source, including from public sector enterprises, the private sector, philanthropist organizations, foundations or recoveries made of the amounts granted to ANRF, any income from investment of the amounts received by ANRF and all amounts with the Fund for Science and Engineering Research under the repealed Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008.For the Financial Year 2024-25, ANRF has been allocateda Revised Estimate (RE) of Rs. 966 crores of which Rs. 721 crores has already been utilized.

Educational universities can obtain research grant through submitting research proposals in competitive mode under the different calls advertised from ANRF as per respective guidelines. So far, five calls have been announced: Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG), EV-Mission, Inclusive Research Grant (IRG), Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) and JC Bose Grant. Among these, the PAIR program aims to strengthen the research capabilities of higher education institutions, where research is still in the early stages but holds significant potential. This program pairs emerging institutions with established, top-tier research institutions in a ‘Hub & Spoke’ framework, providing mentorship and support. The objectives of the PAIR programme include: support internationally competitive research with substantial impact and outcome; foster successful and productive collaborative networks between diverse institutions; and propel the advancement of institutions by (i) upscaling and building advanced research infrastructure and capabilities, (ii) enhancing the quality of research and (iii) facilitating infusion of best practices and research culture.

The PAIR program has earmarked a budget of Rs. 1,500 crores over five years, with each selected PAIR networkeligible for funding up to Rs. 100 crore. Of this, 30% of the funds will go to the Hub institution, while 70%will be allocated to the Spokeinstitutions. It is envisaged that the hubs in tandem with select spokes are expected to come up with competitive, impactful research proposals with potentially significant outcomes in the specified indicative themes.

In its first phase, the program is targeting universities that have demonstrated potential through national ranking and those that show promise for scaling up their research capabilities. The evaluation process for the proposals received under different ANRF calls is currently underway.

As on date, there is no plan of setting up regional centres of Anusandhan National Research Foundation in collaboration with education institutions, however, under a program, Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) which is designed to work in ‘Hub & Spoke’ framework, hubs will be set up across the country.

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2117881) Visitor Counter : 74

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 02 APR 2025 5:57PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Government has been working towards establishing institutional mechanisms to foster the global mobility of Indian workers as well as students, academicians, researches, business persons etc. The Government has been proactively furthering the mobility for Indian workforce through diverse MoUs/agreements such as, Migration and Mobility Partnerships, Labour mobility and Labour Welfare Agreements, Skill Development and Vocational Education and Training with destination countries, which establish a robust framework for legal migration.

These agreements/MoUs seek to enhance global employment opportunities for Indian workers while protecting their labour rights, preventing irregular migration and supporting skill development.

National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), under the aegis of MSDE, has trained a total of 23,254 candidates and certified 22,455 in the past 3 years (2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25) for international mobility.

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has MoUs or Memoranda of Cooperation (MoCs) with seven countries, namely, Australia, Denmark, Japan, Germany, Qatar, Singapore and UAE, for cooperation in skill development and Vocational Education and Training. Focused on increased opportunities for Indian workforce, both domestic and global, these agreements facilitate technical exchanges, collaborative training programs, qualification recognition, and the sharing of best practices.

Further, with the efforts of MSDE, the New Delhi Leaders Declaration accepted by the leaders of G20 made a commitment towards developing an international reference classification of occupations by skills and qualification requirements to facilitate cross-country comparability and mutual recognition of skills and qualifications. The International Labour Organization (ILO) will be the agency undertaking this study.

It is the constant endeavour of MSDE to engage with different countries and facilitate gainful employment opportunities to the youth of the country. Accordingly, NSDC, under the aegis of MSDE, has undertaken a study of following 16 countries to understand their skill requirements:

Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Germany, Japan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Romania, Singapore, Sweden, United States of America, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom.

Additionally, in line with the Budget announcement for the fiscal year 2023-24, MSDE has proposed establishment of 30 Skill India International Centres (SIICs) across various states. The SIICs are envisioned as centralized hubs for individuals seeking employment abroad. The overarching goal of SIICs is to establish a ‘Trusted Workforce Supply Chain’ ensuring fair and transparent skilled mobility from India. Currently, two SIICs have been established, one in Varanasi and another at SDI, Bhubaneswar and further 05 centres have been approved by Project Steering Committee (PSC).

This information was given by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on April 02, 2025.

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Manish Gautam/Divyanshu Kumar

(Release ID: 2117907) Visitor Counter : 86

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region