The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD), organised a one-day orientation session today at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi, as a key preparatory step towards the formal launch and rollout of Nurturing Aspirations Through Vocational Training for Young Women and Adolescent Girls 2.0 (NAVYA 2.0). The session was aimed at preparing district-level stakeholders for effective implementation of the initiative across 100 Aspirational Districts in 24 States/UTs.

The orientation session was chaired by Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, and Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, MoWCD. The session also witnessed the release of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for NAVYA 2.0, providing a structured framework for coordinated implementation of the initiative at the district level.

The orientation session brought together District Collectors/District Magistrates, Regional Directors of Regional Directorates of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (RDSDEs), Principals of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and other key stakeholders from the participating districts. The session was designed to build their capacity and ensure that the necessary institutional, digital and field-level arrangements are in place ahead of the launch and subsequent rollout of NAVYA 2.0.

NAVYA 2.0 builds upon the experience and learnings of the NAVYA pilot project, which was launched on June 24, 2025, from Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh, by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State, Ministry of Education, and Smt. Savitri Thakur, Minister of State, Ministry of Women and Child Development. The pilot was implemented across 27 districts in 19 States/UTs.

Building on the learnings from the pilot phase, NAVYA 2.0 has been expanded to cover 100 Aspirational Districts in 24 States/UTs. The initiative seeks to provide relevant vocational training and create pathways towards entrepreneurship, apprenticeship and sustainable livelihood opportunities for young women and adolescent girls in the age group of 16–25 years.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, MSDE, said, “NAVYA 2.0 is, at its core, a programme of convergence, and its success will depend on the strength of that convergence at the local level. Skill development interventions must be closely aligned with opportunities available in districts and surrounding regions. Our objective must be to adopt a holistic approach that addresses not only skills, but the broader aspirations and requirements of women, enabling them to access dignified, sustainable, and empowering economic opportunities.”

Shri Anil Malik, Secretary, MoWCD, said, “NAVYA 2.0 represents much more than a skilling programme. It is a pathway to greater agency, independence, and economic empowerment for young women and adolescent girls. By connecting skills with meaningful livelihood opportunities, the initiative has the potential to expand women’s participation in the workforce and ensure that they become equal partners in India’s growth story.”

The orientation session included dedicated sessions on the Role and Responsibility of all stakeholders, Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), and entrepreneurship awareness and opportunities. A dedicated session on entrepreneurship was also conducted by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD).

The sessions focused on familiarising stakeholders with the revised provisions of NAVYA 2.0, digital processes, institutional roles and responsibilities, apprenticeship opportunities, entrepreneurship pathways and other key aspects required for effective implementation at the district level. The orientation also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to understand the operational framework and prepare for coordinated action at the district and grassroots levels ahead of the launch.

The orientation session marks an important milestone in the preparations for the formal launch and nationwide rollout of NAVYA 2.0. The initiative reaffirms the shared commitment of MSDE and MoWCD towards strengthening convergence and ensuring effective, coordinated and locally responsive implementation. Through collaboration among district administrations, skilling institutions and women and child development functionaries, NAVYA 2.0 seeks to translate skilling into sustainable livelihood opportunities, greater agency and economic empowerment for young women and adolescent girls.

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