MSDE–WEF India Skills Accelerator | 27 Jan 2026

Source: PIB 

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to strengthen India’s skills and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem. 

  • Under the MoU, the partners will launch a Skills Accelerator in India to scale innovative solutions and address emerging skill gaps.

What is the MSDE- WEF India Skills Accelerator?

  • About: It is a multistakeholder platform that brings together government, industry, academia, and global institutions to address current and emerging skill gaps in India’s workforce. 
  • Objectives: The Accelerator aims to align skilling initiatives with evolving industry and global labour-market needs while scaling innovative skilling models and strengthening public–private partnerships. 
    • It will support flexible, industry-linked curricula, integrate vocational and higher education pathways, enable mutual recognition of qualifications, and promote innovative, outcome-based financing for skilling. 
  • Importance: By strengthening the TVET ecosystem, the initiative enhances global employability of Indian youth and helps convert India’s demographic advantage into a skilled, future-ready workforce. 
    • It complements the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by integrating vocational education with general education and fostering lifelong learning. 
    • The initiative is positioned as a central pillar for Viksit Bharat @2047, aiming to convert India’s demographic advantage (over 500 million people under 25) into economic leadership.

What are the Key Initiatives Driving India’s TVET Landscape?

Scheme/ Programme 

Target Group 

Key Features / Objectives 

Skill India Mission (SIM) 

Youth across India 
  • Implemented by MSDE to provide skill, re-skill, and up-skill training- delivered through a nationwide network of training centres, institutes, and digital platforms 
  • SIM aims to make youth future-ready and industry-ready 

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 

Youth, including rural population 
  • PMKVY Phase 4 (2022-26) emphasizes short-term training, reskilling, and upskilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). 
  • It focuses on employability-oriented skills. 

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) 

Non-literates, neo-literates, school dropouts (15–45 years) 
  • Vocational skills for socially and economically disadvantaged groups- priority is given to women, SC, ST, OBC, minorities with special provisions for Divyangjan 

National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) 

Apprentices and industrial establishments 
  • Promotes apprenticeship training by providing financial support to establishments under the Apprentices Act, 1961, combining basic training with on-the-job workplace training. 

Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) 

Youth seeking long-term vocational training 
  • Implemented through ITIs across India in multiple economic sectors. 
  • It aims to create an industry-ready skilled workforce and promote youth self-employment. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What is the India Skills Accelerator? 
It is a multistakeholder platform under the MSDE–WEF partnership to address present and future skill gaps through industry-aligned skilling models. 

2. What are the key objectives of the MSDE–WEF MoU? 
To align skilling with global labour-market needs, strengthen public–private partnerships, and scale innovative TVET solutions. 

3. How does the initiative support NEP 2020? 
It integrates vocational education with general and higher education, promotes flexible curricula, and encourages lifelong learning. 

4. Why is the Skills Accelerator significant for India’s demographic dividend? 
It enhances employability of over 500 million youth under 25 by creating a future-ready, globally competitive workforce. 

5. Which major schemes form the backbone of India’s TVET landscape? 
Skill India Mission, PMKVY, Jan Shikshan Sansthan, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme, and Craftsmen Training Scheme. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)   

Prelims 

1. With reference to Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, consider the following statements: (2018)

  1. It is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.   
  2. It, among other things, will also impart training in soft skills, entrepreneurship, and financial and digital literacy.   
  3. It aims to align the competencies of the unregulated workforce of the country to the National Skill Qualification Framework.   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 and 3 only 

(b) 2 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3   

Ans: (c)