Integrating Skilling with Mainstream Education
Shri Jayant Chaudhary highlighted that the integration of skilling with school and higher education has been a major focus of ongoing reforms. Enabled through the National Credit Framework and key NCVET initiatives, this integration is making vocational education aspirational rather than a parallel or secondary pathway.
According to the Minister, learners can now move seamlessly across vocational training, general education, and higher education, ensuring both horizontal and vertical mobility. This approach aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020 and reflects global best practices in skills development.
NCVET’s Institutional Progress
The General Body was briefed on the progress made by NCVET since it became operational on 1 August 2020. As the apex national regulator for skilling, NCVET has successfully subsumed the functions of the former National Skill Development Agency and the National Council for Vocational Training.
This consolidation has streamlined India’s previously fragmented skilling regulatory structure. At present, NCVET regulates 161 Awarding Bodies and 68 Assessment Agencies across the country, strengthening quality assurance and standardisation in vocational education.
Revised Guidelines and Digital Transformation
A major agenda item at the meeting was the review of the Revised Guidelines for Recognition and Regulation of Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies, notified in 2025. These guidelines are aligned with NEP 2020, the National Credit Framework, and the revised National Skills Qualification Framework 2023.
The guidelines place strong emphasis on learning outcomes, technology-enabled assessments, and evidence-based monitoring. The Minister also lauded the launch of KaushalVerse, NCVET’s unified digital enterprise portal that automates regulatory functions such as recognition, qualification management, monitoring, and grievance redressal.
Flagship Initiatives and Emerging Sectors
The General Body deliberated on several strategic national initiatives driving future-ready skilling. These include SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), which aims to democratize artificial intelligence learning and has already recorded over 1.74 lakh enrolments.
Project Punah Sthapan, focused on facilitating the transition of defence personnel into the civilian workforce, was also reviewed. Additionally, the Semiconductor Workforce Strategy 2025 outlines skilling requirements across the semiconductor value chain to support India’s ambition of becoming a global electronics manufacturing hub.
Inclusive and Forward-Looking Reforms
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive growth, the General Body ratified the recognition of Persons with Disabilities as a separate sector in the National Qualification Register. Over 221 PwD-specific qualifications have already been approved.
Discussions were also held on expanding the scope of skilling through initiatives such as Sports as a Skill, Language as a Skill to enhance international mobility, and a national strategy for building a skilled workforce in geriatric care.
Research and Policy Innovation
In a significant move, the General Body approved the establishment of a dedicated Research Division within NCVET. The proposed division will function as a think tank, undertaking research on labour market trends, qualification relevance, system performance, and policy innovation.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Centre and States, reflecting a collaborative approach to strengthening India’s skilling ecosystem.
