New Delhi [India], October 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi just dropped a Rs 62,000 crore megaboost – PM-SETU – for India’s youth. Think ITIs, skill labs, and global employability, basically the rocket fuel for a self-reliant Bharat.
Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh: Not Your Average Convocation
Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi wasn’t just hosting a convocation; it turned into a mega youth festival. PM Modi greeted lakhs of students from ITIs across India, Bihar in particular, recalling the tradition of massive ITI graduations he started a few years back. “Today is another milestone,” he said, with a hint of pride that only comes from seeing young Indians geared for real-world skills.
The day wasn’t about ceremonial pomp alone. PM Modi launched youth-focused initiatives worth over Rs 62,000 crore, aimed at transforming education, skills, and jobs across India. And yes, Bihar got a special spotlight, because when India’s youth thrive, so does the nation.
PM-SETU Scheme: ITIs Go Global
The star of the show: PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs). Budget? Rs 60,000 crore. Scale? 1,000 ITIs. Goal? Make Indian youth globally employable.
Here’s the blueprint:
- 200 “hub” ITIs with 800 “spoke” ITIs.
- Advanced machinery, industry mentors, and new curricula.
- Innovation centres, production units, placement services.
- Global co-financing from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
In PM Modi’s words: “PM-SETU will connect Indian youth with global skill requirements.” Translation: India’s workforce just got a serious upgrade.
Skill Labs: Hands-On Training Across India
1,200 vocational labs inaugurated in 400 Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Schools across 34 states and UTs. These labs cover 12 high-demand sectors: IT, automotive, agriculture, electronics, logistics, tourism, and more.
Students from remote and tribal areas will now get practical exposure in their mother tongues, a subtle but powerful nod to accessibility. Vocational teachers are trained to deliver industry-relevant lessons, ensuring employability starts early.
Bihar: Youth-Centric Mega Transformation
Bihar was treated like the poster child for youth empowerment. PM Modi inaugurated:
- Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University offers industry-oriented courses for globally competitive graduates.
- Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme, interest-free loans up to Rs 4 lakh.
- Mukhyamantri Nishchay Svyam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana, a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 for five lakh graduates, plus free skill training.
- Bihar Yuva Ayog, a statutory youth commission for ages 18–45.
“The youth of Bihar may not realise how badly the education system was destroyed 20–25 years ago,” PM Modi reminded. Migration to Delhi, Mumbai, and Varanasi wasn’t a choice; it was a necessity. Now? Bihar is reclaiming its talent home turf.
Education Gets a Modern Makeover
PM Modi didn’t just focus on ITIs. Higher education in Bihar is getting a facelift:
- The Bihta campus of NIT Patna opens with a 5G lab, ISRO Regional Academic Centre for Space, Innovation & Incubation Centre supporting nine start-ups.
- Foundations laid at Patna University, Bhupendra Mandal University, Jai Prakash University, and Nalanda Open University under PM-USHA.
- IIT Patna expansion is in progress.
Financial strain? Reduced. Scholarships doubled from ₹1,800 to ₹3,600. Education loans are now interest-free.
Translation: youth get modern education, skill labs, financial freedom, and direct career paths. Not bad for a day’s work.
ITIs: From 10,000 to 15,000 in a Decade
PM Modi’s pride in ITIs is palpable. 2014: 10,000 ITIs. 2025: 15,000 ITIs. 170 trades. 1.5 crore youth trained. Skills in local languages. All integrated with industries for future-ready talent.
The PM-SETU scheme isn’t just upgrading infrastructure, it’s redesigning the whole ITI ecosystem for the 21st century. Think hubs, spokes, industry partnerships, and global standards. India’s industrial education is finally stepping up to the big league.
Jobs, Jobs, Jobs
Bihar alone: 50 lakh youth connected to employment in 20 years. Recent years? 10 lakh permanent government jobs. Teachers? 2.5 lakh recruited in two years.
The future target: double the employment opportunities in five years. PM Modi’s message: Bihar youth can and should work locally. Why migrate when home-grown opportunities are skyrocketing?
GST Savings: A Bonus for Youth
PM Modi threw in a small but symbolic victory: reduced GST on bikes and scooters. Cue Dhanteras planning for young Indians. A minor anecdote, sure, but it drives home a bigger point: government is tuned into youth priorities, both serious (skills, jobs) and lifestyle (vehicles).
From Fragile Five to Manufacturing Giant
Before 2014, India was among the “Fragile Five” economies. Today? India is racing to the top three global economies. Manufacturing, exports, jobs, mobile phones, electronics, automobiles, and defence. ITI-trained youth are benefiting. The Mudra scheme helped crores start businesses.
The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (₹1 lakh crore) aims to employ 3.5 crore youth in the private sector. PM Modi’s pitch: India’s young workforce isn’t just skilled, it’s unleashed.
With a strong focus on skilling and innovation, our government is preparing the Yuva Shakti to lead the future. Speaking at the launch of youth-centric initiatives in Delhi. https://t.co/kiAbStpTP4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 4, 2025
The Takeaway: Youth Power = National Power
PM Modi wrapped up by stating that skill, innovation, and hard work have no substitutes. Luckily, India’s youth already carry all three. With ITIs upgraded, vocational labs operational, scholarships in place, and jobs lined up, a Viksit Bharat isn’t a dream anymore.
