PM-SETU Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Good vocational training helps young people learn practical skills and find better job opportunities. However, many Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) need modern equipment, better training facilities and stronger connections with industries. To improve the quality of ITI training, the Government of India introduced the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) Scheme. Approved on 7 May 2025 and launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 4 October 2025, the scheme aims to upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs across India with a total budget of ₹60,000 crore. It targets training 20 lakh youth and improving the skills of 50,000 trainers over five years.

The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) through the Directorate General of Training (DGT). The Central Government, State Governments and industries will jointly contribute towards its funding. Under this scheme, industries will work with State Governments to improve ITI facilities and make training more relevant to current job requirements.

Under PM-SETU, 200 ITIs will be developed as Hub institutes and 800 as Spoke institutes across 200 clusters. Hub ITIs will have modern laboratories, advanced equipment and smart classrooms, while Spoke ITIs will provide training at the local level and connect students with the facilities available at their linked Hubs. The scheme also covers the upgradation of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) into National Centres of Excellence. It also supports the introduction of 32 new-age trades in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Electric Vehicles, Cyber Security, Drone Technology and Green Hydrogen.

The scheme is mainly intended to benefit students enrolled in participating Government ITIs, young people seeking vocational training, and ITI trainers. Students can access improved training facilities and industry-related courses by taking admission through their State or Union Territory's regular ITI admission process. They must meet the educational qualification and age requirements for their chosen trade, as these may vary from one course to another. PM-SETU does not provide a separate scholarship or direct cash assistance to students.

Students do not need to submit a separate application for PM-SETU. They should check their State's ITI admission notification and select a participating Government ITI, where applicable. For scheme-related queries, they can contact the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship or the Directorate General of Training.

Students interested in other skill development opportunities can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) for skill training and certification, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme for apprenticeship training, and the Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana for technical skill training.

Scheme Benefits

Under the PM-SETU Scheme, the Government aims to improve the quality of vocational training by upgrading Government ITIs and strengthening their connection with industries. The scheme will provide the following benefits to students, trainers and industries:

• Upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs, including 200 Hub ITIs and 800 Spoke ITIs, with modern infrastructure and equipment.
• Modern classrooms, advanced laboratories, smart learning facilities and digital study materials for better practical training.
• Introduction of 32 new-age courses in fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Robotics, Electric Vehicles, Drones, Semiconductors and Green Hydrogen.
• Access to advanced training facilities, innovation centres, incubation facilities and production units through the Hub-and-Spoke model.
• Improved opportunities for apprenticeships, industry exposure and job placements through direct industry participation.
• Development of five National Centres of Excellence at NSTIs in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur and Ludhiana.
• Advanced training and skill development for 50,000 trainers to improve the quality of vocational education.
• Better employment and self-employment opportunities through industry-oriented training and practical skills.
• Training opportunities for 20 lakh youth over the five-year implementation period.
• Improved access to industry-relevant vocational training for young people, including those studying at Spoke ITIs in smaller towns and nearby areas.

Through these improvements, the scheme aims to help young people gain practical skills, access better employment opportunities and prepare for the changing needs of industries. There is no fixed direct cash benefit or scholarship for individual students under this scheme.

Eligibility Requirements

The PM-SETU Scheme mainly focuses on upgrading Government ITIs and improving vocational training through industry participation. The following eligibility conditions apply to institutions, industry partners and individuals who want to benefit from the scheme:

• Government ITIs selected by the respective State or Union Territory Governments are eligible for upgradation under the scheme.
• ITIs are selected based on local industrial potential, emerging skill requirements and the availability of suitable industry partners.
• State and Union Territory Governments identify suitable ITIs and prepare proposals for their upgradation in consultation with industry partners.
• Companies, Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), industry associations, consortia and eligible industry-led organisations can participate as Anchor Industry Partners.
• Industry partners must meet the financial, technical and organisational conditions specified in the relevant State or Union Territory selection process.
• Students can benefit by taking admission to participating Government ITIs through the regular State or Union Territory ITI admission process.
• Students must fulfil the educational qualification and age requirements prescribed for their chosen ITI trade. These requirements may differ from one trade to another.
• ITI trainers and instructors can benefit from the training and capacity-building programmes offered under the scheme.

There is no separate nationwide age limit, income limit or individual application requirement for PM-SETU. Students should check the admission notification of their respective State or Union Territory for trade-specific eligibility conditions.

Required Documents

PM-SETU is an institution-based scheme, so students do not need to submit a separate application or documents directly under the scheme. However, students seeking admission to participating Government ITIs must provide the documents required under their respective State or Union Territory ITI admission process. These may include:

• Aadhaar Card or other valid identity proof.
• Recent passport-size photographs.
• Class 10th or equivalent marksheet and certificate.
• Class 12th marksheet, if required for the selected trade.
• Transfer Certificate (TC) or School Leaving Certificate, if applicable.
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), if applicable.
• Domicile or residence certificate, if required by the State.
• Disability certificate, if applicable.
• Other documents mentioned in the respective ITI admission notification.

The required documents may vary depending on the State, admission rules and selected trade. Students should check the relevant ITI admission notification before applying.

Steps to Apply

Students interested in vocational training under PM-SETU do not need to register separately for the scheme. They can take admission to participating Government ITIs through the regular ITI admission process of their State or Union Territory. Follow these steps to apply for ITI admission:

• First, open the official Directorate General of Training (DGT) website to understand the ITI training system and available trades.
• Next, check the ITI admission notification released by your respective State or Union Territory's Technical Education or Skill Development Department.
• Open the State's ITI admission portal and check the list of Government ITIs participating in the PM-SETU upgradation programme, wherever such information is available.
• Choose a suitable Government ITI and trade according to your educational qualification, interests and career goals.
• Complete the online admission or registration form available on the State's ITI admission portal.
• Enter your personal, educational and contact details carefully and upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
• Submit the application form and save the registration number or acknowledgement for future reference.
• Check the merit list, counselling schedule and seat allotment results published by the concerned State or UT authority.
• After receiving a seat, complete the admission formalities at the allotted ITI within the specified deadline.

Admission rules, application dates and available trades may differ from one State to another. Students should follow the admission instructions issued by their respective State or UT. For PM-SETU, there is no separate student registration portal or direct cash-benefit application.

State-wise Implementation of PM-SETU

PM-SETU is being implemented across States and Union Territories in consultation with their respective governments and industry partners. State Governments identify suitable Government ITIs and group them into clusters under the Hub-and-Spoke model. They also work with industries to prepare upgradation proposals and arrange the required investment.

According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship's parliamentary reply dated 29 July 2026, 822 Government ITIs had been identified across 36 States and Union Territories. These included 166 Hub ITIs and 656 Spoke ITIs. The following table shows the State-wise and UT-wise details available in that reply:

Latest Implementation Progress

After the July 2026 parliamentary update, the Government reported further progress in the scheme. According to the PM-SETU one-year progress report released in October 2026:

• A total of 850 Government ITIs had been identified, comprising 172 Hub ITIs and 678 Spoke ITIs.
• 36 States and Union Territories had identified clusters and created dedicated budget heads.
• 35 States and Union Territories had constituted State Steering Committees.
• 26 States and Union Territories had started the process of inviting industry participation.
• Strategic Investment Plans for 14 ITI clusters across eight States and one Union Territory had been approved, involving an investment of ₹3,446 crore.

These figures show that the scheme is being implemented in phases. Identification of an ITI or approval of a cluster does not necessarily mean that all infrastructure work has been completed or that upgraded facilities are already available to students.

Difference Between PM-SETU and PMKVY

Both PM-SETU and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) aim to improve the skills and employment opportunities of young people in India. However, they work in different ways. PM-SETU focuses on improving Government ITIs and their training facilities, whereas PMKVY provides skill training and certification to eligible candidates.

The following table explains the major differences between these two schemes:

In simple terms, PM-SETU improves the institutions where vocational training is provided, while PMKVY focuses on providing skill training and certification to candidates. Both schemes contribute to strengthening India's skill development system, but their application processes and benefits are different.

Relevant Links

• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)
• Directorate General of Training (DGT)
• PM-SETU Scheme Guidelines – Component I and Component II
• PM-SETU Component I Guidelines – Upgradation of ITIs
• PM-SETU Component II Guidelines – Upgradation of Five NSTIs (PDF)
• PM-SETU Scheme – Official Details and New-Age Courses
• PM-SETU Digital Portal

Contact Information

For queries related to the PM-SETU Scheme, students and other stakeholders can contact the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) or the Directorate General of Training (DGT) through the following details:

Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE)

• Phone: 011-26773219
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: Kaushal Bhawan, New Moti Bagh, New Delhi – 110023, India.
• Website: https://www.msde.gov.in/

Directorate General of Training (DGT)

• Phone: 011-26772702
• Email: [email protected]
• Address: 7th Floor, Kaushal Bhawan, Near Safdarjung Railway Station, New Moti Bagh, New Delhi – 110023, India.
• Website: https://dgt.gov.in/