Uttar Pradesh, India’s fastest transforming economic hub, is home to 24.13  crore people. It is experiencing a quiet but powerful revolution in skill development. Recent initiatives like the ₹60,000 crore National ITI Upgradation Scheme and the implementation of PMKVY 4.0 indicate a renewed commitment to equipping youth with relevant, industry-aligned skills. This is not just about training individuals for jobs — it is about building long-term capabilities, modernising institutions, and empowering the youth to take charge of their futures in a rapidly evolving economy.

Our recent field survey across the urban and rural regions of Uttar Pradesh revealed a strong and widespread demand for skilled workers in all major sectors. The need for job-ready workers goes beyond traditional fields like textiles and agriculture to include emerging sectors such as solar energy, drone-based services, and AI-powered tools.

This demand-side pull is complemented by a strong push from students across the state’s universities and technical institutions. During the same survey, many students from universities in Uttar Pradesh stated that their curriculum remained overly theoretical, making it misaligned with current industry needs. A recurring suggestion was the integration of skill development as a continuous and real-time part of their academic syllabus. They want to graduate not just with degrees but with portfolios that provide tangible proof of their competencies. The message is clear: youth in Uttar Pradesh are aspirational, focused, and eager to be job-ready; they are not content with learning for learning’s sake alone. There was also a clear call for internship opportunities, and in this context, the PM Internship Scheme 2025 aligns well with the needs and expectations of today’s students. 

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has responded to this call with a series of progressive policy initiatives and strategic partnerships. Over 24.73 lakh candidates have been trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to date, with more than 93,000 individuals enrolled in PMKVY 4.0 for future-oriented job roles. The inclusion of advanced training in areas like AI-Machine Learning, Drone Services, EV Maintenance, and Solar PV Installation exemplifies a conscious effort to align training with 21st-century market demands. The scale is promising, but more importantly, the direction is clear: Uttar Pradesh is not merely skilling people for today’s jobs but preparing them for the dynamic economy of tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the state’s commitment to traditional sectors and inclusion remains strong. Under PM Vishwakarma, over 405 training centres have assisted in up-skilling nearly 1.08 lakh traditional artisans, many of whom come from marginalised communities. These programmes are aiding in the preservation of traditional crafts while making them more market-oriented. This dual approach, encouraging both job-seeking and job-creating mindsets, is vital for a state as diverse and layered as Uttar Pradesh.

In Varanasi, rural women are being equipped with technical and entrepreneurial skills at the Adani Skill Development Centre in Sewapuri, where they are trained in sustainable production practices such as crafting Gangatiri incense sticks from cow dung and natural materials under the brands Gangatiri and Nari Shakti. Self-Help Groups (SHGs), supported by the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), have empowered women in the state by enhancing their capacity in traditional skills like weaving and cooking and by reducing distress migration through localised employment. Similar grassroots efforts are underway in Uttar Pradesh. 

Under its Zero Poverty Campaign, the government has initiated a guaranteed skill-training programme for heads of economically vulnerable families. An initial group of 300 participants is being trained in partnership with nearly 1,000 training organisations. After completing the programme, trainees will be placed in jobs with leading national and international companies, including Hotel Taj, SBI, L&T, Medanta, and the Adani Group, with a minimum salary of ₹18,400 per month, ensuring stable incomes and dignified livelihoods.

These efforts are complemented by flagship schemes like PMKVY, which offer structured training through Short-Term Training (STT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), along with placement and financial support. On the industrial front, the state is developing two world-class Integrated Manufacturing Clusters (IMCs) in Agra and Prayagraj, covering over 1,400 acres. These clusters are designed to integrate R&D, innovation, and skill development within manufacturing zones, thereby creating large-scale employment and encouraging startup incubation. Together, these initiatives reflect a holistic and dynamic model of skill development in Uttar Pradesh—rooted in local strengths, aligned with industrial growth, and aimed at making youth, especially from marginalised communities, future-ready and economically resilient. As a result, this also enhances the state's financial resilience.

Uttar Pradesh is rapidly becoming a powerhouse in textile manufacturing and skill-based employment, with India’s first Textile Machine Park set to be established on 875 acres near Kanpur. Developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Chaparghata village of Bhongaon, this project will produce textile machinery domestically that India previously imported from countries such as China, Vietnam, and Europe. With over 200 large and medium units planned, the park is expected to provide employment for around 150,000 people and promote local expertise through training in machine repair and maintenance. This initiative not only supports the Make in India vision by lowering import reliance and machinery costs by up to 40%, but also offers high-quality skill development opportunities for youth in and around Kanpur.

Complementing this, the Uttar Pradesh government is driving forward the Textile and Apparel Policy 2022 by establishing 10 new textile parks, including the flagship PM Mitra Park near Lucknow. These developments aim to reinforce traditional crafts like Banarasi silk and chikankari while modernising the state’s textile sector, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a national textile hub and contributing to India’s target of reaching a USD 350 billion textile market by 2030, while providing employment for the region's youth.

It must be recognised that skill development is not a one-time intervention; it is a structural process that demands continuous effort, feedback mechanisms, and policy coherence. Uttar Pradesh’s initiatives have established a strong foundation, but lasting impact will only be achieved through consistent and deliberate action. This involves regular curriculum updates in ITIs and higher education institutions, active engagement with industries for internships and apprenticeships, and thorough monitoring of placement outcomes. Developing institutional capacity for trainers and aligning with NEP 2020’s vision of integrating vocational and formal education should remain top priorities. What is particularly encouraging is the increasing synergy between the Centre and the State.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Uttar Pradesh’s skilling initiatives are no longer isolated schemes; they are developing into a strong, systemic movement. The convergence of industry demand, youth aspirations, and strategic government intent has created a unique opportunity. The road ahead requires sustained execution, ongoing investment, and a people-first approach. If Uttar Pradesh can maintain its course, it will not only transform its own labour market but also have the potential to serve as a model for skilling across India.