The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has collaborated with the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) and the Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), the incubator of BITS Pilani, to promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among students of the National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) across India. The NSTIs, which operate under DGT, are premier institutions offering vocational education to build a skilled workforce and train future instructors. Currently, 33 NSTIs are operational nationwide, training over 10,000 students under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) and Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS), including dedicated women’s training institutes (NSTI-W).
While schools and higher education institutions have established ecosystems supporting student innovations, limited structured support exists in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) space—home to over 13 lakh students across ITIs and NSTIs. Recognizing this gap, the partners have launched ‘Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha: Kaushalta se Udyamita’, an innovation and start-up challenge designed to nurture entrepreneurship among technically skilled students. The initiative will provide mentoring, incubation, funding opportunities, and awards to promising ideas, focusing on sectors such as IT/ITeS, Automotive, Apparel, Electronics & Hardware, Power, Capital Goods, and Manufacturing. The program will be managed by PIEDS, BITS Pilani, with support from ABCF under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Speaking at the launch, Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, said, “At the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, we believe that every skilled individual carries the potential to become a job creator. Through this partnership with the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation, we are enabling NSTI students to channel their technical expertise into innovation and enterprise. The Navonmesh Protsahan Spardha will empower our young innovators to transform ideas into sustainable ventures, contributing to India’s vision of becoming an Aatmanirbhar and innovation-driven nation.”
DGT, under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, serves as the apex body for formulating policies, standards, and frameworks for vocational training in India. Overseeing 14,500 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 33 NSTIs, DGT trains more than 23 lakh students annually through schemes like CTS, CITS, and ATS. It is also spearheading modernization through new-age courses in AI, IoT, Mechatronics, Renewable Energy, 3D Printing, and Drone Technology while strengthening industry collaboration via the Dual System of Training (DST) and Flexi-MoU models.
ABCF is the CSR arm of Aditya Birla Capital Limited and its subsidiaries, guided by Rajashree Birla, Vishakha Mulye, Subhro Bhaduri, and Dr Pragnya Ram. The foundation focuses on programs for women’s empowerment, healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihoods, promoting inclusive and equitable growth across communities.
PIEDS, the not-for-profit incubator of BITS Pilani, was established with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. Led by Prof V Ramgopal Rao (President) and Prof Sudhirkumar Barai (Vice President), PIEDS supports early-stage start-ups, women-led ventures, and innovators from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, focusing on deep-tech and impact-driven entrepreneurship.
