Lok Sabha Question No. 1055 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-10
Subject: Integrate Skill Developmental framework in India
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Jugal Kishore, Shri Manish Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1055

ANSWERED ON 10.02.2025

## INTEGRATE SKILL DEVELOPMENTAL FRAMEWORK IN INDIA

1055.  SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:

SHRI JUGAL KISHORE:

Will  the  Minister  of  SKILL  DEVELOPMENT  AND  ENTREPRENEURSHIP  be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  integrate  skill  development  into  the frontier educational framework in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the role of mutual recognition of skills and standards in addressing the shortage of the global workforce;

(c) the  strategies  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  encourage  lifelong  learning among individuals in the workforce;

(d) the measures taken by the Government in place to leverage technology to make said programmes more accessible for a wider audience, particularly in remote and rural areas; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a): National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has recommended integration of vocational education  into  mainstream  education  in  all  educational  institutions.  For  integration  of vocational education into mainstream education, the following initiatives inter-alia have been taken:

(i)  Under  the  vocational  education  component  of  Samagra  Shiksha  scheme,  National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) compliant vocational courses are offered to the students from class 9th to 12th in eligible schools. At the Secondary level (Class 9 and 10),  vocational  modules  are  offered  to  the  students  as  an  additional  subject.  At  the Senior  Secondary  level  (Class  11  and  12),  vocational  courses  are  offered  as  a compulsory (elective) subject.

(ii)  Employability  Skills  consisting  of  communication  skills,  self-management  skills, information  and  communication  technology  skills,  entrepreneurship  skills  and  green skills have been made mandatory part of the vocational courses.

(iii)  National  Curriculum  Framework  for  School  Education,  developed  in  pursuance  of National  Education  Policy  2020,  has  laid  down  the  objectives  of  approaches  to Vocational  Education.  One  of  the  objectives  is  that  vocational  capacities,  knowledge, and relevant values will be developed for all students, and this will create the possibility of them joining the workforce after school if they choose to.

(iv) PMKVY 4.0 is also being implemented through schools under Skill Hubs initiative, in co-operation with the Department of School Education and Literacy. Skill Hubs Initiative provides blended learning opportunities, creating pathways  for long-term career development.

(v)  University  Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  facilitated  Higher  Education  Institutions (HEIs) to offer skill-based programmes as per the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF).

(b): Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) endeavours to engage with  different  countries  and  facilitate  gainful  employment  opportunities  to  the  youth  of the country. In this regard, MSDE has signed Government to Government MoUs. As on date, 07 MoUs are presently active with different countries, namely: Australia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Qatar, UAE, and Singapore. These MoUs provide a broad framework for  cooperation  with  the  partner  country  in  areas  such  as  Information  Exchange, Standard Setting, Mutual Recognition of Qualifications, Training of Trainers, Internship etc. for skilled mobility.

Additionally, India has  welcomed  the  efforts  to map  global  skill  gaps  and  the development of the G20 policy priorities to address skill gaps globally, including through further strengthening our national statistical data, extending the coverage of the ILO and OECD Skills for Jobs Databases to G20 countries, as appropriate. NSDC International (NSDC-I), has also signed Business to Business Agreements with business entities of various  countries  to  facilitate  overseas  mobility  of  Indian  skilled  workforce,  capacity building of trainers, employer engagements, etc.

(c):      To  encourage  the  lifelong  learning  among  individuals  in  the  workforce,  the Government has taken the following measures:

(i)  National  Skills  Qualifications  Framework  (NSQF)  has  been notified  as  an  outcome and competency-based framework which organizes qualifications according to a series of  levels  of  knowledge,  skills,  aptitude,  and  responsibility  levels  defined  in  terms  of learning outcomes. NSQF  enables multiple entry-multiple exit and progression pathways within and between school education, higher education, technical education, vocational  education,  training  &  skilling,  and  the  job  markets.  NSQF  enables  and promotes lifelong learning and skill development.

(ii) Skill India Digital  Hub (SIDH)a digital public infrastructure to provide a comprehensive and accessible platform for skill enhancement, offering industry-relevant skill courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship supportenhances the accessibility to skill training to the individuals of all ages.

(iii) The Government of India implements New India Literacy Programme (NILP), popularly known as ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society).  The  scheme  aligns  with  the  recommendations  of  the  National  Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and aims to empower those adults aged 15 years and above from all backgrounds who could not get due schooling and mainstream them with society to be able to contribute more to the growth story of the country. The scheme consists of five components: Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Critical Life Skills, Basic Education, Vocational Skills, and Continuing Education.

(d)  &  (e):  The  Skill  India  Digital  Hub  (SIDH)  is  a  comprehensive  digital  platform designed to synergize and transform the skills, education, employment, and entrepreneurship landscape in India. It represents the aspirations of millions of Indians seeking better opportunities by providing access to industry-relevant skill courses, job opportunities,  and  entrepreneurship  support.  As  the  Digital  Public  Infrastructure  (DPI) for Skilling, Education, Employment, and Entrepreneurship, SIDH serves as a comprehensive  information  gateway  for  all  government  initiatives  in  these  domains, making it a go-to hub for citizens pursuing career advancement and lifelong learning. The primary objectives of SIDH include facilitating digital access to skill development by enhancing  individual  competencies  in  digital  technologies, integrating the skilling ecosystem, enhancing employability and entrepreneurship, promoting lifelong learning, serving as an  information  gateway,  and  leveraging  data-driven decision-making. Further, the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the aegis  of  MSDE implements Bharatskills portal to support digital skill development, provides access to a range  of  educational  materials,  including  e-books,  question  banks,  and  e-learning videos, available in 12 regional languages, for courses offered.

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