National Skills Qualifications Committee Approves New Vocational Standards
The 45th meeting of the National Skills Qualifications Committee (NSQC) took place on February 6, 2026, chaired by Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The gathering focused on enhancing the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) to improve the quality, relevance, and industry alignment of vocational qualifications across India.
Key Attendance and Proposals
Important figures such as Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Gaba, Executive Member of the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), and Dr. Suhas Deshmukh, Director and Secretary to the Council, were present. They were joined by members from various Central Ministries and Departments, sector experts, and key stakeholders.
A total of 15 Awarding Bodies presented their qualifications during the meeting, resulting in the review of 80 qualifications from organizations including the Directorate General of Training (DGT), National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), and others. The qualifications evaluated encompass high-priority sectors such as automotive, electronics, IT-ITeS, healthcare, logistics, and emerging technologies.
Focus on Future Skills
Among the significant outcomes of the meeting was the approval of new qualifications related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) from various Awarding Bodies, falling under the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative. This aligns with the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026, further demonstrating India’s commitment to preparing a workforce adept in an AI-driven economy. Additionally, qualifications associated with the India Skills and World Skills competitions were ratified.
Quality and Competency Emphasis
The NSQC highlighted the necessity for outcome-based, competency-driven education that meets quality benchmarks and industry standards. The endorsed qualifications aim to equip learners with job-ready skills, relevant certifications, and pathways for both vertical and horizontal mobility in the educational and skilling sectors.
Smt. Debashree Mukherjee expressed the importance of the NSQC’s work in maintaining the credibility and responsiveness of skill qualifications in India. She assured that the discussions reflected the government’s unwavering dedication to nurturing a skilled and competitive workforce, contributing to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
Contributions to Employability
The outcomes of the 45th NSQC meeting reinforce NCVET’s efforts to modernize India’s skilling framework. The expected changes are poised to enhance the transparency and impact of the NSQF, further promoting employability and lifelong learning opportunities for the youth nationwide.
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