MSDE to Convene First Meeting of SARTHI to Drive Holistic Transformation of India’s ITI Ecosystem

1. At a Glance

• SARTHI = Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation — an apex advisory mechanism constituted under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) by the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE) [1].
• Its purpose is structured strategic dialogue between Centre, States, industry and regulators on the future direction of vocational training/ITIs in India [1].
• Relevant for UPSC because it directly intersects skilling, employability, Industry 4.0 readiness and the new PM-SETU ITI upgradation framework [1][2].

2. Why in the News

• MSDE convened the first SARTHI meeting on 12 June 2026 at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, MoS (I/C) Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and MoS Education [1].
• Participants: senior representatives from Central & State Govts, industry, regulatory institutions and the skilling ecosystem [1].

3. Background & Evolution

• CTS launched and run by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under MSDE, delivered through ITIs and NSTIs [4].
• 2014→2025: ITI count grew from 9,977 to 14,682+, with 4,605 new ITIs added [2].
• PM-SETU (Prime Minister Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) approved as the ITI upgradation scheme using Hub-and-Spoke + industry-led Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) via an Anchor Industry Partner (AIP) and tripartite SPV (Centre–State–Industry); 5-year horizon, pilot of 20–25 hubs covering 100–125 ITIs [2].
• First-ever SIP under PM-SETU approved for ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS); Andhra Pradesh became the pioneer industry-led ITI transformation state [3].
• SARTHI (2026) layered on top of CTS as the apex strategic-reform forum [1].

4. Core Static Facts

• Full form: Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation [1].
• Parent ministry: MSDE; Implementing arm: DGT [1][4].
• Anchored under: CTS [1].
• Chair: MoS (I/C) MSDE — Shri Jayant Chaudhary [1].
• Venue of first meeting: Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi; Date: 12 June 2026 [1].
• CTS footprint (2025-26): 169 trades, 14,688 ITIs (Govt 3,345; Private 11,343), 32 NSTIs, 14.70 lakh trainees enrolled [4].
• New-age trades introduced: 31 covering AI, drones, cybersecurity, semiconductors, green energy, 3-D printing [4].
• Certification: National Trade Certificate via All India Trade Test conducted by DGT [4].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

• Economic — Aligns ITI output with Industry 4.0 demand; industry-led SIP/AIP model under PM-SETU shifts capex/curricular control to anchor employers, targeting employability rather than enrolment alone [2][4].
• Administrative / Federalism — SARTHI is a consultative forum bringing States, Centre, regulators & industry to one table; ITI regulation is Concurrent in practice (DGT sets norms; States own most govt ITIs) [1][2].
• Social — 14.70 lakh trainees annually; CTS is the largest formal long-term vocational stream, key for youth, rural and aspirational-district employability [4].
• Scientific/Technological — 31 new trades in AI, semiconductors, drones, cybersecurity, green energy mark a curriculum shift from legacy trades [4].
• Governance — PPP via SPV (Centre+State+Industry) under PM-SETU operationalises an industry-led skilling architecture distinct from earlier supply-driven model [2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 12 Jun 2026 — First meeting of SARTHI convened by MSDE at Vigyan Bhavan [1].
• 2026 — AMNS receives first PM-SETU SIP approval; AP first industry-led ITI transformation state [3].
• 26 May 2025 — 38th Central Apprenticeship Council meeting chaired by Jayant Chaudhary at Vigyan Bhavan (related apprenticeship reform track) [5].
• 2025-26 CTS cycle — 14.70 lakh enrolments; 31 new-age trades operationalised [4].

7. Prelims Hooks

• SARTHI stands for Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation [1].
• SARTHI is constituted under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), not under PM-SETU [1].
• Implementing ministry: MSDE (not Ministry of Education) [1].
• CTS is implemented by DGT through ITIs and NSTIs [4].
• Number of CTS trades: 169 (2025-26) [4].
• ITI count: 14,688 — Govt 3,345, Private 11,343 [4].
• Number of NSTIs: 32 [4].
• CTS enrolment (2025-26): 14.70 lakh [4].
• New-age trades introduced under CTS: 31 [4].
• PM-SETU = Prime Minister Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs; 5-year scheme; pilot 20–25 hubs / 100–125 ITIs [2].
• PM-SETU uses Hub-and-Spoke + SIP prepared by Anchor Industry Partner (AIP), executed via SPV [2].
• First SIP approved under PM-SETU: ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India in Andhra Pradesh [3].
• ITIs increased from 9,977 (2014) → 14,682+ (2025); 4,605 new ITIs [2].
• Certification on CTS exit: National Trade Certificate after All India Trade Test [4].
• First SARTHI meeting venue/date: Vigyan Bhavan, 12 June 2026; chair: Jayant Chaudhary [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Government policies & interventions (skilling), Centre-State coordination in skill development.
• GS-III: Inclusive growth, employment, human capital & Industry 4.0 readiness.
• Plausible stems:
• "Industry-led ITI upgradation under PM-SETU marks a paradigm shift from supply-driven skilling. Examine, with reference to SARTHI."
• "Discuss how reforms to the Craftsmen Training Scheme address the mismatch between ITI output and emerging labour-market demand."
• "Vocational training in India suffers from federal fragmentation and weak industry linkage. Critically analyse recent institutional reforms."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PM-SETU — sister industry-led ITI upgradation scheme [2].
• CTS & CITS — flagship DGT schemes through ITIs/NSTIs [4].
• Central Apprenticeship Council & Apprentices Act, 1961 — parallel reform track [5].
• Skill India Mission / NSDC / PMKVY — ecosystem context.
• National Education Policy 2020 — vocational integration mandate.
• National Credit Framework (NCrF) — credit-mapping of skilling.
• DGT new-age trades (AI, semiconductors, drones) — Industry 4.0 angle [4].
• PLFS / labour-force employability data — outcome side.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• SARTHI is under CTS, not under PM-SETU or PMKVY [1].
• Chaired by MoS (I/C) MSDE, not the PM or Education Minister [1].
• DGT, not NCVT, is the implementing arm of CTS post-NCVET restructuring [4].
• ITIs are run jointly by State Govts (govt ITIs) and private players; only ~3,345 of 14,688 ITIs are government [4].
• PM-SETU's first SIP went to AMNS in Andhra Pradesh, not to a Maharashtra/Gujarat anchor [3].