India's vision of becoming a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, places a strong emphasis on the empowerment and skilling of its youth. This focus aims to create a future-ready workforce that can drive economic growth and innovation across various sectors.

The Need for a Skilled Workforce

Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Jayant Chaudhary, has stressed the critical need to significantly scale up India's skilled workforce to realize the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision. Citing the Economic Survey, he pointed out that the country needs 7.85 million new skilled jobs annually until 2030, requiring a major shift in the education system. This shift involves moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-all approaches to skilling and empowering states to create solutions tailored to their local economic contexts and the aspirations of their youth.

Empowering Youth through Skill Development

Several initiatives are underway to equip young Indians with the skills needed for the future. These include:

• Upskilling Programs: The NAMTECH Outreach Program is a transformative effort to upskill ITI (Industrial Training Institute) students through cutting-edge technology and innovation. NAMTECH aims to transform three million ITI graduates into skilled, future-ready technicians over the next decade, playing a significant role in India's manufacturing ambitions and economic growth.
• Centers of Excellence: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is establishing Centers of Excellence at National Skill Training Institutes across India. These centers will serve as national anchors for high-quality instructor training and advanced skilling in emerging technologies. Two such centers have already been established in Hyderabad and Chennai.
• Rural Entrepreneurship Training: India's first Rural Entrepreneurship Training Program on Biochar has been launched, focusing on grassroots entrepreneurship and aligning local skilling frameworks with national priorities.
• Partnerships for Women's Empowerment: The Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and the MSDE have partnered to empower women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in rural areas. This partnership aims to provide demand-driven training, digital and financial literacy, and market linkages to make them self-reliant. The collaboration also supports the 'Lakhpati Didi' campaign, which aims to elevate women in SHGs into higher income brackets.

Integrating Education and Skill Development

Recognizing the importance of integrating education and skill development, the government is working to align local skilling frameworks with national priorities. This involves:

• Curriculum Alignment: Ensuring that training programs are aligned with the needs of local markets and industries, providing demand-driven training that leads to better employment opportunities.
• Faculty Development: Investing in faculty development, competitive remuneration, and structured pedagogical training to build a resilient training infrastructure.
• Promoting Digital and Financial Literacy: Equipping individuals, especially women in rural areas, with the digital and financial literacy skills necessary to participate in the modern economy.

The Role of Youth in Viksit Bharat

Prime Minister Modi has emphasized the significant role of the youth in shaping India's future roadmap. He has lauded the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication with which the youth have embraced the resolution to make India a developed nation by 2047. He has urged young people to take their ideas to every corner of the country, connecting with other young people in every district, village, and neighborhood to spread the spirit of a developed India.

By empowering and skilling its youth, India is taking decisive steps towards achieving the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision and securing its place as a global powerhouse.