*30 Government ITIs in Chhattisgarh to Be Upgraded into Modern, Industry-Oriented Skill Development Centres
*Six ITI Clusters to Be Upgraded Under PM-SETU Scheme with Proposed Investment of Approximately Rs. 1,446 Crore
*Bhilai Steel Plant and NMDC Limited to Serve as Industry Partners for Durg and Bastar Clusters; MoUs Signed in Chief Minister’s Presence
*Youth to Receive Modern Technical Training Based on Industry Requirements, with Special Focus on Improving Employability
*Modern Skill Training Network to Be Developed Through Six Hub ITIs and 24 Spoke ITIs
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 13, 2026: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said equipping Chhattisgarh’s youth with modern technical skills aligned with industry requirements is among the state government’s top priorities. Training young people in emerging technologies and equipping them with skills aligned with evolving industrial requirements will create more employment and self-employment opportunities.
In a significant step towards implementing the PM-SETU scheme in Chhattisgarh, the government signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Bhilai Steel Plant and NMDC Limited for the Durg and Bastar clusters, respectively, at Mahanadi Bhawan on Tuesday, in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Sai.
The participation of these two leading industrial institutions will help align ITI training with industry requirements and equip young people with employment-oriented skills.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that, under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s leadership, the country is making extensive efforts to link skill development with employment and industrial progress.
The PM-SETU Scheme is an important part of this vision. Through the scheme, the state government will transform ITIs in Chhattisgarh from conventional training institutions into centres for modern skills, innovation, employment, and entrepreneurship. He said demand for trained human resources is rising across sectors as new industries and investments expand in the state.
The government’s objective is to ensure that industries in Chhattisgarh can access skilled human resources to meet their requirements. At the same time, the state’s youth get better employment opportunities suited to their skills.
*30 Government ITIs to Be Modernised in Chhattisgarh
Under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) Scheme, launched by the Government of India on the initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the government has allocated approximately Rs. 60,000 crore to modernise 1,000 government ITIs across the country.
The scheme aims to upgrade Industrial Training Institutes to align with modern technologies and current and future industry requirements, improve training quality, and enhance young people’s employability.
The government has selected six clusters in Chhattisgarh to implement the PM-SETU Scheme: Durg, Korba, Surguja, Bastar, Raigarh, and Raipur. The scheme proposes upgrading 30 government Industrial Training Institutes, comprising six Hub ITIs and 24 Spoke ITIs, under these clusters.
The government proposes investing approximately Rs. 1,446 crore across the six clusters over five years. Each cluster will receive about Rs. 241 crore, including Rs. 81 crore for the Hub ITI and Rs. 40 crore for each Spoke ITI.
The Central Government, State Government, and respective industry partner will contribute 50 per cent, 33 per cent, and 17 per cent, respectively. Under the scheme, ITIs will develop training facilities to meet industry requirements, including modern machinery, equipment, laboratories, and technical resources.
*Stronger Partnership Between Industries and ITIs
Chief Minister Shri Sai said a strong partnership between Industrial Training Institutes and industries is one of the scheme’s most important features. Direct industry participation will enable young people to receive training in technologies and working methods currently used in industrial units. He emphasised the need to reduce the gap between industry requirements and young people’s skills.
Through PM-SETU, the scheme will develop training curricula, modern equipment, and practical learning opportunities to meet industry requirements, increasing employment opportunities for young people after they complete their training.
*Bhilai Steel Plant to Play Important Role in Durg Cluster
Under the PM-SETU Scheme, Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), will participate as the Anchor Industry Partner for the Durg cluster. Government ITI Durg has been designated as the Hub ITI, while Government ITI Bhilai, Women’s ITI Bhilai, Government ITI Rajnandgaon and Government ITI Daundilohara have been included as Spoke ITIs. The training system will benefit from Bhilai Steel Plant’s expertise and industrial experience. This partnership will provide students with practical training in modern technologies, machinery, and work methods used in the industrial sector.
The Chief Minister, Shri Sai, signed an MoU with Bhilai Steel Plant today, formally establishing the partnership.
*Major Initiative to Provide Modern Technical Training to Bastar’s Youth
NMDC Limited will participate as the Anchor Industry Partner for the Bastar cluster. The Government ITI Bastar has been designated as the Hub ITI, while Government ITIs in Jagdalpur, Geedam, Kondagaon, and Narayanpur have been included as Spoke ITIs.
*MoU Signed with NMDC Limited in Chief Minister’s Presence*
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that providing quality technical training to young people in tribal and remote regions such as Bastar is a priority of the state government. The participation of a leading industrial institution such as NMDC will give Bastar’s youth opportunities to learn modern industrial skills. This will help them access emerging employment opportunities locally and across Chhattisgarh.
*Industry Participation in Surguja and Korba Clusters
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has agreed to participate as the Anchor Industry Partner for the Surguja cluster. Tata IIS has been selected as the Operating Partner for this cluster.
The department has submitted the proposal to sign the MoU for approval and has sent the draft MoU to SECL for necessary amendments. Similarly, NTPC Korba has agreed to participate as the Anchor Industry Partner for the Korba cluster. NTPC Korba is currently selecting an Operating Partner.
*Selection Process Underway for Raipur and Raigarh Clusters
NTPC is also selecting Anchor Industry Partners for the Raipur and Raigarh clusters. The state’s e-procurement portal has issued tenders. The team has resolved Hira Group’s queries regarding the Raipur cluster.
For the Raigarh cluster, NTPC Lara has been approached, and preliminary discussions are underway regarding its participation in the scheme and its implementation.
*Hub-and-Spoke Model to Strengthen Skill Training Network
Under the PM-SETU Scheme, the Hub-and-Spoke model will improve coordination among ITIs in using technical resources, modern equipment, expertise, and training facilities. Hub ITIs will serve as major centres for advanced training and resources, while associated Spoke ITIs will also benefit from these facilities and expertise. This will improve access to quality training for young people across different regions.
Active participation by industry partners will also help update training curricula periodically to meet changing industry requirements, upgrade trainers’ skills, and provide students with practical experience.
*Chhattisgarh Progressing Towards Prosperity Through Skills and Employment
Chief Minister Shri Sai said the state government is building a strong system of opportunities for young people by connecting education, skills, industry, and employment. As industrial investment in Chhattisgarh increases, it is essential to prepare young people for emerging technologies and modern industrial requirements. He said the government’s goal is to ensure Chhattisgarh’s youth become not only job seekers but also job creators through their skills and innovations.
Skill development will pave the way for employment, self-employment, and entrepreneurship, while young people’s potential will lay a strong foundation for building a developed Chhattisgarh.
Employment, Technical Education and Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb said the PM-SETU Scheme is an important initiative for the state’s youth. Modernisation of ITIs and direct industry participation will provide young people with quality, employment-oriented training. This will enhance their skills and create new employment and self-employment opportunities.
Cabinet Minister Shri Rajesh Agrawal; Technical Education and Skill Development Department Secretary Shri Basav Raju; Director Shri Hemant Nandanwar; NMDC Executive Director Shri Sanjeev Sahi; Shri Pawan Kumar of SAIL; and senior officials from the concerned departments and industrial institutions were present on the occasion.
