Parliament Question: Craftsmen Training Scheme

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1284 ANSWERED ON 27.07.2026 CRAFTSMEN TRAINING SCHEME

1284. DR. K SUDHAKAR:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to

state:

(a) whether the Government has noted Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) issues like 88 per cent seat underutilisation, limited access for out-of-school youth and gender disparity in enrolment;

(b) whether the Government has taken any steps to address inconsistent practical training quality, low post-training placements due to industry skill gaps and lack of career guidance, if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is planning to integrate remote learning, digital infrastructure and achieve 100 per cent capacity with inclusive measures, specially for women and remote areas; and

(d) if so, the details thereof, if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a to d): The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), implements the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) through a network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) for skilling the youth.

At present, training under CTS is imparted in 170 trades through 13,856 ITIs (Government – 3,328 and Private – 10,528) across the country.

The enrolment in ITIs has increased from 9.51 lakh in the academic session 2014-15 to 14.70 lakh in the academic session 2025-26. During the same period, seat utilization has improved from 54% in the academic session 2014-15 to 64% in the academic session 2025-26.

To ensure better utilization of training infrastructure and resources, DGT undertakes periodic rationalization of training units with no admissions. Accordingly, in January 2025, 21,069 units comprising 4.49 lakh seats in ITIs across the country, with no admissions during the academic sessions 2018-19 to 2023-24, were de-affiliated. Further, in May 2026, 4,292 units with an aggregate seating capacity of about 90,256 seats, with no admissions during the academic sessions 2022-23 to 2025-26, were also de-affiliated.

The trade curriculum under CTS is updated periodically in consultation with industry, academia and State/UT Governments to incorporate emerging technologies, modern tools, equipment and machinery. The CTS curriculum also provides for On-the-Job Training (OJT), enabling trainees to gain practical exposure in industry settings and bridge the gap between classroom learning and workplace requirements.Further, DGT has developed the Bharat Skills portal, which provides digital learning resources, including e-books, videos, question banks and other e-learning content, to supplement classroom training and improve access to quality learning material for trainees and instructors under CTS.

To promote greater participation of women in vocational training, 30% of the seats in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are reserved for women. Further, the enrolment of women trainees under CTS has increased from 87,819 in the academic session 2014-15 to 2,20,814 in the academic session 2025-26, reflecting the increasing participation of women in vocational training.

Further, DGT undertakes various outreach and awareness initiatives to improve seat utilization under CTS and promote awareness among youth, parents and local communities about skilling opportunities and employment prospects under the ITI ecosystem.

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