MSDE to Hold First SARTHI Meeting on ITI Reforms and Vocational Training Transformation
Strategic advisory taskforce to discuss curriculum, governance, assessments, industry linkages, and skill development reforms
Mumbai: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) will convene the first meeting of the Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation (SARTHI) on June 12, 2026, at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
The meeting will be chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, and will bring together representatives from Central and State Governments, industry bodies, regulatory institutions, and the wider skilling ecosystem.
SARTHI has been established as an apex advisory mechanism under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) to provide a structured platform for policy discussions, stakeholder coordination, and strategic planning for vocational education and training in India.
According to the Ministry, the initiative aims to strengthen the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) ecosystem and ensure that vocational training programmes remain aligned with changing industry requirements and workforce demands.
The Craftsmen Training Scheme currently operates through a network of 13,888 ITIs across the country, comprising 3,326 Government ITIs and 10,562 Private ITIs. These institutions offer training in 169 trades aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).
During its inaugural meeting, SARTHI is expected to deliberate on several aspects of vocational training reform. The agenda includes reviewing the current status of the Craftsmen Training Scheme, implementation of the National ITI Grading Framework, institutionalising the Annual All India ITI Skill Competition, and strengthening assessment systems through technology-enabled reforms.
The discussions will also focus on increasing women’s participation in ITIs, improving instructor development and qualification standards, expanding access pathways for students, and strengthening institutional governance and industry partnerships.
In addition, participating States and stakeholders will have an opportunity to share implementation experiences and discuss measures to improve quality, responsiveness, and outcomes across the ITI ecosystem.
Through SARTHI, the Ministry aims to establish a long-term institutional mechanism to support Centre-State coordination, encourage industry participation, and facilitate policy development for vocational education and skill training in India.
