India to Establish National Body to Overhaul Vocational Education
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The Indian government is planning to create a national advisory body called Saarthi to drive long-term reforms in the country's Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). This move aims to bridge the gap between vocational education and industry needs. Saarthi will be headed by the Minister of State for the Ministry of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship and will comprise representatives from central ministries, state governments, industry associations, and regulatory bodies. The body will provide strategic direction, facilitate policy convergence, and enable long-term planning for reforms under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). The CTS currently operates in 14,615 ITIs, which provide industry-oriented skill training to over 1 million students. However, the absence of a unified platform for strategic dialogue and coordination among various stakeholders has limited the system's responsiveness to evolving skill demands. Saarthi will work to standardize curriculum, introduce new trades, and promote public-private partnerships in skill development. The body will also advise the government on examination reforms, modern assessment practices, and pathways for ITI graduates to transition to higher qualification levels. Industry leaders and experts have welcomed the move, saying it will help improve the employability of ITI students. However, some experts have cautioned that mere creation of a new body will not address the structural gaps in vocational training. They have emphasized the need for deeper and outcome-linked involvement of the private sector in certification, training delivery, and assessment. The government hopes that Saarthi will help in aligning skilling systems to real industry demand and incentives, ultimately improving the quality of vocational education in the country.
