In pursuance of the Prime Minister’s call for a Viksit Bharat, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the School and Higher Education Departments of Ministry of Education (MoE) convened a joint high-level interaction today at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi. The deliberations were held under the overarching theme “Swadeshi Se Samriddha aur Viksit Bharat – Strategies in Education and Skilling”, with the objective of preparing a forward-looking roadmap for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

The session was chaired by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, Government of India in the august presence of Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India and Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education, Government of India. Senior officials from the Department of School Education & Literacy, the Department of Higher Education, and MSDE, along with heads of autonomous institutions, participated in the brainstorming exercise.

The discussions highlighted the critical role of education and skilling as twin pillars of Mission Swadeshi. It was emphasized that the seeds of Aatmanirbhar Bharat must be sown at the school level, with students emerging as ambassadors of self-reliance. Educational and skilling institutions must function as catalysts in promoting indigenous products, local entrepreneurship, and cultural heritage. The deliberations further stressed the importance of using exhibitions, debates, academic projects, and community campaigns to foster awareness, innovation, and pride in local strengths. It was underscored that the NEP 2020 framework, rooted in holistic and skill-based learning, cultural rootedness, innovation, equity, and student well-being, provides the foundation for this transformative agenda.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan stated thattogether with the Ministries of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, a strategic roadmap is being charted to position Swadeshi as the pathway to a Samriddha and Viksit Bharat. The vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat must take root in schools and colleges, where students will emerge as the torchbearers of this mission, spreading the spirit of Swadeshi, innovation, and cultural pride within their families and communities. He further noted that education and skilling are complementary strengths that must work in tandem to build a confident and self-reliant India.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary observed that India today stands at a moment of reset, where it must reimagine its role in global value chains. From classrooms to shopfloors, there is a need to seed curiosity, enterprise, and innovation, ensuring that every young Indian is equipped with future-ready skills in AI, technology, and design. He stressed that India’s endeavour must not only be to respond to global changes, but to shape them—branding the country as the Skill Capital and Innovation Hub of the world. He described this moment as a call for disruption, bold ideas, and collective ownership of the nation’s future.

Dr. Sukanta Majumdar emphasized that higher education and skilling institutions will serve as knowledge hubs to drive this vision. By integrating critical thinking, innovation, and research into learning, students will be empowered to lead India’s journey towards becoming the Skill Capital of the World.

The session also called for a Jan Sampark, Jan Bhagidari, and Jan Abhiyan approach to mobilize schools, colleges, universities, ITIs, and other institutions across the country. All bodies under MoE and MSDE, including NCERT, SCERTs, DIETs, IITs, IIMs, ITIs, Sector Skill Councils, and autonomous organizations, were urged to align their curricula, activities, and outreach with the objectives of Mission Swadeshi. Special emphasis was laid on developing digital content, podcasts, cultural programmes, and exhibitions to connect youth with India’s crafts, traditions, and innovations. The role of ITI trainees and skill development schemes in driving community-based initiatives for local economic empowerment was also underscored.

The brainstorming concluded with actionable suggestions consolidated by the Secretaries of School Education, Higher Education, and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The meeting reaffirmed the Government of India’s commitment to positioning education and skilling as central to achieving Samriddha aurViksit Bharat by 2047.

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