CSIR Skill Initiative Hits 2-Lakh Trainee Milestone

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has reached a major milestone in its mission to bolster India’s human capital.

As of January 2026, the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative has successfully trained over 2 lakh workers, students, and professionals, significantly bridging the gap between high-level scientific research and industrial employability.

A Milestone in National Skilling

According to the Ministry of Science & Technology, the initiative crossed the 2-lakh mark following the successful execution of Phases I and II, which accounted for approximately 1.90 lakh trainees through 5,200 programs.

The momentum has accelerated with the launch of Phase III in June 2025.

In its inaugural year alone, the third phase has already equipped more than 14,000 individuals with advanced technical competencies across 37 national laboratories.

CSIR Skill Initiative: Bridging the Science-Industry Divide

The program is designed to leverage CSIR’s state-of-the-art research infrastructure to solve the “skill gap” in 18 key sectors, including:

• Advanced Technology: Aerospace, electronics, and green jobs.
• Essential Industries: Agriculture, food processing, and healthcare.
• Traditional Crafts: Handicrafts and leather goods.

The initiative provides hands-on laboratory exposure and industry-aligned certification.

This ensures that beneficiaries, ranging from school dropouts to PhD researchers, gain practical and market-ready expertise.

Inclusivity and Phase III Focus

A core pillar of the initiative is social inclusivity.

Targeted programs for women and rural citizens have been central to the rollout, aimed at promoting entrepreneurship in remote areas.

Under the leadership of Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR, Phase III has shifted focus toward advanced skilling in emerging fields like AI-driven manufacturing and sustainable energy, aligning with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) vision.

CSIR as The Nodal Engine

The CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) in Ghaziabad serves as the centralized hub for monitoring and evaluating these programs.

By integrating real-world industrial demands with academic theory, the CSIR is creating a “knowledge-ready” talent pool rather than just training a workforce.

This initiative aims to drive India’s global competitiveness in the science and technology sectors.

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