The Directorate General of Training (DGT), operating under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, has partnered with Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) and Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), the incubator of BITS Pilani, to foster innovation and entrepreneurship among students at National Skills Training Institutes (NSTIs) nationwide.
NSTIs, supervised by the DGT, offer vocational training aimed at developing a skilled workforce and instructor trainees for industries.
Currently, 33 NSTIs are functional across India, enrolling over 10,000 students pursuing training under the Craft Instructor Training Schemes (CITS) and the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). Special NSTI(W) centers also exist, focusing specifically on women's vocational training, according to the statement published on the PIB website.
While ample support exists for innovations to mature into ventures at the school and higher education levels, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector—which includes over 1.3 million students enrolled in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and NSTIs—has received comparatively little attention.
Most TVET graduates either join the industry, take up roles as trainers or educators, or pursue traditional self-employment opportunities.
At the launch event, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, stated, “At the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, we believe that every skilled individual carries within them the potential to become a job creator. Through this partnership with the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, we are enabling NSTI students to channel their technical skills into innovation and enterprise. The Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha will empower our young innovators to transform ideas into sustainable ventures, strengthening India’s vision of becoming an Aatmanirbhar and innovation-driven nation.”
The initiative, titled Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha: Kaushalta se Udyamita, aims to nurture innovation among NSTI students. As a first-of-its-kind challenge, it will reach more than 10,000 NSTI students, offering mentorship, prizes, access to resources, and opportunities for further incubation to help launch student ideas into the market.
The program will focus on students presenting innovative ideas in sectors such as IT/ITeS, automotive, apparel, electronics and hardware, power, and capital goods and manufacturing. PIEDS, the incubator of BITS Pilani, will manage the program, which is supported under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Aditya Birla Capital Foundation.