Union Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary Chairs First Meeting of SARTHI – Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation

1. At a Glance

• SARTHI is a high-level advisory taskforce constituted by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to provide long-term strategic guidance for systemic reform of India's Industrial Training Institute (ITI) ecosystem. [1][2]
• It institutionalises Centre–State–Industry coordination for curriculum, assessment, governance, quality assurance and industry linkage in vocational training. [2]
• Examinable as a fresh governance instrument under the broader PM-SETU ITI upgradation push — high probability of Prelims/Mains hooks on skilling reforms.

2. Why in the News

• First meeting of SARTHI convened on 12 June 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, MoS(IC) Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and MoS Education. [1]
• Quote: "Our Skilling Reforms Must Translate into Better Opportunities for Every Young Person." [1]

3. Background & Evolution

• ITIs are the bedrock of India's formal vocational training, governed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under MSDE. [2]
• Aug 2024: Cabinet approved the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation (later branded PM-SETU) and 5 National Centres of Excellence for Skilling, outlay ~₹60,000 crore. [3][4]
• 2025: State/UT workshops on ITI Upgradation conducted at Kaushal Bhawan, Delhi. [5]
• June 2026: Pre-meeting PIB advisory announces SARTHI convening; first meeting held thereafter. [2][1]

4. Core Static Facts

• Full form: Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation. [1]
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). [1]
• Chair: Union MoS(IC) MSDE — currently Shri Jayant Chaudhary. [1]
• ITI universe: 13,888 ITIs — 3,326 Government + 10,562 Private. [2]
• NSQF-compliant trades: 169, including 31 new-age/Future Skills courses under DGT. [2][5]
• Linked flagship: PM-SETU (PM-Scheme for Enhancement and Transformation of Institutions) for ITI upgradation; 5-year implementation; pilot 20–25 hubs covering 100–125 ITIs. [5]
• Total PM-SETU outlay: ~₹60,000 crore (Centre + State + Industry blended). [4]
• Venue of 1st meeting: Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi; Date: 12 June 2026. [1]

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic

• Targets the demographic dividend by aligning ITI output with industry skill demand; PM-SETU's ₹60,000 cr is among the largest skilling outlays. [4]
• Industry co-investment model converts ITIs from supply-driven to outcome-oriented institutions. [2]

Administrative / Governance

• Establishes a sustained institutional mechanism for Centre–State coordination — addresses long-standing federal coordination gap (ITIs are State-run, DGT sets norms). [2]
• Brings structured industry participation into curriculum and assessment design. [2]

Social

• Inclusive, future-ready vocational training framework intended to widen youth employability. [1][2]

Scientific / Technological

• Curriculum overhaul to embed Future Skills / new-age trades (AI, IoT, EV, drones) via the 31 new courses. [5]

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• Aug 2024: Cabinet approves National Scheme for ITI Upgradation + 5 National Skilling CoEs. [3]
• 2025: Skill India Mission 10-year celebration; AI-for-learning forum announcements by MSDE Minister. [—]
• 2025: PM-SETU rebranding; State and UT workshops at Kaushal Bhawan. [5]
• 12 June 2026: First SARTHI meeting at Vigyan Bhawan. [1]

7. Prelims Hooks

• SARTHI is set up by MSDE, not Ministry of Education. [1]
• SARTHI full form: Strategic Advisory and Reforms Taskforce for Holistic ITI Transformation. [1]
• First SARTHI meeting: 12 June 2026, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. [1]
• India has 13,888 ITIs (3,326 Government + 10,562 Private). [2]
• DGT runs 169 NSQF-compliant trades. [2]
• NSQF = National Skills Qualifications Framework. [2]
• PM-SETU = PM-Scheme for Enhancement and Transformation of Institutions. [5]
• PM-SETU outlay: ~₹60,000 crore, 5-year horizon. [4][5]
• Cabinet approved PM-SETU + 5 National Centres of Excellence for Skilling in 2024. [3]
• Directorate General of Training (DGT) sits under MSDE and oversees ITIs. [2]
• Current Union MoS(IC) MSDE: Shri Jayant Chaudhary (also MoS Education). [1]
• Pilot rollout: 20–25 hubs covering 100–125 ITIs. [5]

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors; Centre–State coordination (Cooperative Federalism).
• GS-III: Human resource development; Employment; Inclusive growth.
• Possible stems: 1. "Holistic transformation of ITIs requires moving from infrastructure upgradation to outcome-based industry partnership. Discuss in light of SARTHI and PM-SETU." (GS-III, 250 words) 2. "Examine how institutional taskforces such as SARTHI can address the federal coordination deficit in India's vocational education." (GS-II) 3. "Critically evaluate whether India's skilling architecture is equipped to capture the demographic dividend by 2030." (GS-III)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• PM-SETU / ITI Upgradation Scheme — direct delivery vehicle SARTHI advises. [3]
• NSQF (National Skills Qualifications Framework) — qualification grammar of ITIs. [2]
• National Skill Development Mission / Skill India — umbrella programme. [—]
• NSDC and NSDC International — apprenticeship and overseas placement. [—]
• PMKVY 4.0 — short-term skilling complement. [—]
• Apprenticeship rules (NAPS, Apprentices Act 1961) — industry-link statutory base.
• National Education Policy 2020 — vocational integration from school level.
• Demographic Dividend & Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) — outcome metric.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• SARTHI is MSDE, not Ministry of Education, despite the Minister holding both portfolios. [1]
• ITIs are administered by States; DGT (Centre) only sets norms — SARTHI is advisory, not executive.
• Do not confuse SARTHI with SAATHI (railway porter scheme) or SARTHIE (other CSR/finance taskforces) — similar acronyms.
• PM-SETU ≠ PM-eVIDYA; PM-SETU is ITI-specific, 5-year, ₹60,000 cr. [3][4]
• 13,888 ITIs (majority private — 10,562) is a common Prelims trap if reversed. [2]