On 12 October 2026, PM-SETU approved ₹440 crore to upgrade nine Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in the Surat and Visakhapatnam clusters. The partnership covers five ITIs in Surat, Gujarat, and four in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Shareholders’ Agreements were signed by the Directorate General of Training (DGT), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the two State Governments and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India).
Industrial Training Institutes and Vocational Education
Industrial Training Institutes provide vocational training in trades to prepare trainees for skilled employment. Their training includes practical instruction in workshops and laboratories. The DGT functions under the MSDE and is associated with the administration of vocational training programmes, including the Craftsmen Training Scheme. ITIs form part of India’s formal vocational training system.
Cluster Structure and Investment
The approved initiative groups the nine ITIs into the Surat and Visakhapatnam clusters. Dedicated Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) will manage the upgradation and operations of the clusters. AM/NS India will hold 51% equity in the SPVs, while the Government of India and the respective State Government will each hold 24.5%. These shares account for the entire equity in each SPV.
Industry Participation and Planned Upgradation
AM/NS India will implement the programme with the New Age Makers’ Institute of Technology (NAMTECH) as its academic and technical partner. The partnership includes support for curriculum reforms and faculty development. Planned changes include modernising training infrastructure, workshops and laboratories, introducing trades linked to industry requirements and emerging technologies, and revising curricula. The agreements involve the Central Government, the Governments of Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, and a private-sector industry partner.
Important Facts for Exams
- The Surat cluster includes five Government ITIs in Gujarat.
- The Visakhapatnam cluster includes four Government ITIs in Andhra Pradesh.
- AM/NS India holds 51% equity in the cluster SPVs, while the Centre and relevant State Government each hold 24.5%.
- NAMTECH is the academic and technical partner for curriculum reforms and faculty development.
The nine ITIs covered by the approval are located in two States: Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The programme’s planned upgrades include infrastructure modernisation, revised curricula and new industry-relevant trades.
