NCVET Holds First General Body Meeting, Charts New Course for Skilling
Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary chaired the first general body meeting of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) in New Delhi on Monday. The meeting focused on reviewing ongoing reforms to integrate India's skilling ecosystem with mainstream education.
Chaudhary, who serves as Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, led discussions on forward-looking frameworks. These frameworks aim to expand the scope of skilling across the country.
Key Initiatives and Approvals
In a significant development, the general body approved the establishment of a dedicated research division within NCVET. This division will function as a think tank. It will undertake research on labour market trends, qualification relevance, system performance, and policy innovation.
The meeting also reviewed several strategic frameworks. These include integrating the sports ecosystem into the national skilling architecture. The body discussed establishing equivalency pathways for languages like English, Japanese, and German. This move aims to enhance international workforce mobility for Indian professionals.
Another important topic was developing a national strategy to build a skilled workforce for India's rapidly growing elderly population. This addresses demographic shifts and future care needs.
Minister's Vision for Skilling Transformation
"India's skilling ecosystem is undergoing a paradigm shift," Chaudhary stated during the meeting. He emphasized the move from fragmented systems to a unified, outcome-oriented framework. This framework aligns with education, industry, and future technologies.
Chaudhary highlighted NCVET's significant role in making this transformation credible, transparent, and learner-centric. He pointed to the integration of skilling with mainstream schooling and higher education. This integration is enabled through the National Credit Framework and other NCVET initiatives.
"This integration is making skilling aspirational," Chaudhary added. "It ensures seamless horizontal and vertical mobility for learners across the education ecosystem."
Review of Guidelines and Digital Initiatives
A key highlight of the meeting was the review of the Revised Guidelines for Recognition and Regulation of Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies (2025). These guidelines align with the National Education Policy 2020, the National Credit Framework, and the revised National Skill Qualification Framework 2023. They focus strongly on learning outcomes, technology-enabled assessments, and evidence-based monitoring.
The minister lauded the launch of KaushalVerse, NCVET's unified Digital Enterprise Portal. This portal automates core regulatory functions including recognition, qualification management, monitoring, and grievance redressal. KaushalVerse is envisioned as the digital backbone of India's skilling regulatory ecosystem. It enhances transparency, efficiency, and ease of compliance for stakeholders.
Special Initiatives and Sector Recognition
The general body deliberated on several special initiatives. These include SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), an initiative aimed at democratising AI learning across the population. Project Punah Sthapan, an innovative programme facilitating the transition of Defence personnel to the civil workforce, was also discussed.
Another important discussion centered on the semiconductor Workforce Strategy. This strategy supports India's ambition to emerge as a global electronics manufacturing hub by developing necessary skills.
In a progressive move, the body ratified the recognition of Persons with Disabilities (PwD) as a separate sector in the National Qualification Register. To date, over 221 PwD-specific qualifications have been approved, creating more inclusive skilling pathways.
NCVET's Institutional Progress
The meeting apprised members of the institutional progress made by NCVET since its operationalisation on 1 August 2020. As the apex national regulator for skilling, NCVET has subsumed the functions of the erstwhile National Skill Development Agency and National Council for Vocational Training.
This consolidation has unified India's previously fragmented skilling regulatory architecture. At present, NCVET regulates 161 Awarding Bodies and 68 assessment agencies across the country, creating a more coherent system for vocational education and training.
The first general body meeting marks a significant step in NCVET's journey toward transforming India's skilling landscape. The approved measures and discussed frameworks aim to create a more integrated, responsive, and future-ready vocational education system.
