PM-SETU Gets Nationwide Rollout for ITI Upgrade

The Indian government approved the nationwide rollout of the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme on 7 July 2026. The approval was taken at the 4th National Steering Committee meeting chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

PM-SETU Scheme Structure

PM-SETU has a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore for five years. The funding pattern includes ₹30,000 crore from the Centre, ₹20,000 crore from States, and ₹10,000 crore from industry. The scheme covers all 200 identified ITI clusters across India. It moves the programme from the pilot stage to a nationwide implementation framework.

ITI Upgradation Plan

PM-SETU aims to upgrade 1,000 Government Industrial Training Institutes. It also provides for the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for skilling under a hub-and-spoke model. Industrial Training Institutes are vocational training institutions in India that provide trade-based skill training in sectors such as manufacturing, services, and construction. The upgraded model places industry participation at the centre of curriculum design, infrastructure support, and training delivery.

Strategic Investment Plans and Industry Partners

Strategic Investment Plans worth ₹1,237.58 crore were approved for five ITI clusters in Odisha, Gujarat, and Telangana. The approved clusters include partnerships with Jindal Naveen Avasar Limited in Odisha and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India in Gujarat. Three clusters in Telangana include Apollo MedSkills Limited, Sri Siddharth Infratech & Services (India) Pvt. Ltd., and Neuland Foundation as anchor industry partners. Anchor industry partners are private entities linked to cluster-level skilling and institutional support.

Important Facts for Exams

• Industrial Training Institutes function under the vocational education and skill development framework in India.
• The hub-and-spoke model uses a central institution as the hub and linked institutions as spokes.
• National Centres of Excellence are specialised institutions for advanced skill training.
• PM-SETU is linked to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

Exam-Relevant Context

The scheme name PM-SETU expands to Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs. The programme is designed for industry-led skilling through upgraded government ITIs and cluster-based implementation.