Coordinated Action on Skill Development (CASD)

The Coordinated Action on Skill Development (CASD) is a structured policy framework introduced by the Government of India to harmonise, align, and integrate skill development efforts across multiple ministries, states, and private stakeholders. Its primary objective is to address fragmentation in skill training initiatives and promote a cohesive approach towards building a skilled and employable workforce.

Background and Rationale

The concept of coordinated skill development gained prominence during the Eleventh Five-Year Plan (2007–2012), when the need for an institutional mechanism to manage various skill development programmes was recognised. Prior to this, numerous ministries and departments conducted independent training schemes, resulting in duplication of efforts, inconsistent standards, and inefficient use of resources.
The National Policy on Skill Development (2009) formalised this approach by recommending a coordinated institutional structure involving central and state governments, private sector organisations, and civil society. The CASD was subsequently designed to ensure convergence, reduce redundancy, and strengthen accountability in India’s skill ecosystem.

Objectives of CASD

• To create an integrated institutional framework for coordinated skill development.
• To align central and state programmes under a unified policy direction.
• To encourage participation of industry, private training providers, and civil society in skill initiatives.
• To standardise certification, accreditation, and assessment systems across training programmes.
• To ensure that skill development efforts meet the demands of the labour market and national economic priorities.

Institutional Framework

The CASD functions through a multi-tier institutional mechanism designed to ensure effective policy formulation, coordination, and implementation.

1. Prime Minister’s / National Council on Skill Development

• The apex policy-making body providing strategic direction and inter-ministerial coordination.
• Chaired by the Prime Minister, it sets national skill targets and monitors progress.
• Facilitates policy coherence among ministries and ensures alignment with national development goals.

2. National Skill Development Coordination Board (NSDCB)

• Operates under the Planning Commission (later NITI Aayog).
• Coordinates implementation of skill initiatives among ministries and ensures convergence of schemes.
• Develops common standards for training, assessment, and reporting.

3. National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)

• Established as a public–private partnership under the Ministry of Finance (later under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship).
• Acts as a catalyst for private sector involvement in skill development.
• Supports training institutions, promotes innovation, and helps form Sector Skill Councils (SSCs).

4. State Skill Development Missions (SSDMs)

• Serve as nodal bodies for coordination at the state level.
• Integrate central and state training schemes, engage industry associations, and ensure localisation of skill programmes.
• Conduct skill gap assessments and prepare state-level action plans.

5. District and Local-Level Coordination

• At the grassroots level, District Skill Committees (DSCs) assess local skill requirements and monitor implementation.
• This ensures that skill development efforts are responsive to local economic and employment conditions.

Key Features of CASD

• Convergence of Schemes: Aligns skill development programmes implemented by various ministries and departments to avoid duplication.
• Common Standards and Frameworks: Promotes uniform norms for training duration, curriculum design, assessment, and certification.
• Demand-Driven Approach: Bases training programmes on actual skill gaps identified through labour market surveys.
• Public–Private Partnership (PPP): Encourages private sector participation in design, delivery, and financing of skill programmes.
• Quality Assurance: Ensures adherence to the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) for competency-based training.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Develops mechanisms for data collection, performance tracking, and evaluation of training outcomes.

Implementation and Coordination

The CASD framework encourages ministries to align their programmes with national skill development goals. Major ministries involved include:

• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
• Ministry of Labour and Employment
• Ministry of Rural Development
• Ministry of Human Resource Development
• Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME)

Each ministry contributes sector-specific expertise while adhering to the overarching coordination framework.
At the state level, Skill Development Missions adapt central policies to regional needs, mobilise resources, and coordinate between industries and training providers. This multilevel coordination ensures vertical and horizontal integration in policy implementation.

Achievements of CASD

• Strengthened institutional capacity for skill development at both central and state levels.
• Facilitated the establishment of over 30 Sector Skill Councils (SSCs) to develop occupational standards.
• Enabled convergence of central and state initiatives under unified skill missions.
• Enhanced private sector participation through NSDC-supported training partners.
• Promoted outcome-based skill training focused on employability and industry demand.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its institutional success, CASD faces several operational challenges:

• Fragmentation of Responsibility: Overlapping mandates among ministries sometimes hinder coordination.
• Variable State Capacity: States differ in administrative strength and resources for implementing skill programmes.
• Quality and Standardisation Issues: Variations in training quality and certification undermine employability outcomes.
• Data and Monitoring Gaps: Absence of comprehensive tracking systems to assess long-term employment impacts.
• Industry Engagement: Limited industry participation in curriculum design and trainee absorption.

Evolution and Recent Developments

In 2014, the creation of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) consolidated many of the functions envisaged under CASD. The ministry became the nodal authority for skill policy and implementation.
Subsequent initiatives, such as:

• The National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) (2015),
• The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), and
• The Skill India Mission,

were all built on the CASD framework to promote an integrated, outcome-oriented skill development ecosystem.
The NITI Aayog’s Sub-Group of Chief Ministers on Skill Development (2015) further strengthened state-level coordination and accountability. Current policy efforts continue to rely on CASD principles to ensure convergence across ministries and link training with employment opportunities.

Significance of CASD

The Coordinated Action on Skill Development remains a cornerstone of India’s strategy for harnessing its demographic dividend. Its importance lies in:

• Reducing policy fragmentation by creating a unified approach.
• Encouraging decentralised implementation through state missions.
• Ensuring accountability through performance-linked outcomes.
• Enhancing employability by aligning training with labour market demand.