CSIR moves to build a future-ready workforce through Integrated Skill Initiative Phase III
CSIR reviews the first year of Phase III of its Integrated Skill Initiative, with 37 laboratories assessing progress, sharing best practices and strengthening industry-aligned skill development for a future-ready workforce.
The two-day conclave brought together representatives from participating CSIR laboratories to review implementation, exchange best practices and identify strategies to strengthen the programme's reach and impact.
NEW DELHI: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has reviewed the first-year progress of Phase III (2025–30) of its Integrated Skill Initiative, with a focus on expanding industry-aligned skill development and building a future-ready scientific and technical workforce.
The Coordinators’ Conclave-cum-Meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the first year of Phase III was organised by CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad, in association with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, on August 6–7, 2026, at CSIR-NCL, Pune.
The two-day conclave brought together representatives from participating CSIR laboratories to review implementation, exchange best practices and identify strategies to strengthen the programme’s reach and impact.
During the inaugural session, Dr Rajesh G. Gonnade, Scientist-G, CSIR-NCL, welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation and skill development. Dr Vinay Kumar, Scientist-G and Skill Nodal Principal Investigator, CSIR-HRDC, outlined the objectives of the conclave and presented an overview of the progress achieved during 2025–26.
Dr Kumar highlighted the role of the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative in creating a nationwide skill development ecosystem capable of nurturing industry-ready talent and supporting the development of a technology-driven workforce.
Dr Abhishek Kumar, Scientist-F, CSIR-Central Planning Directorate (CPD), highlighted key achievements of the initiative and policy interventions undertaken during the year, while Dr TS Rana, Head, CSIR-HRDC, emphasised CSIR’s commitment to transforming scientific knowledge into digitally enabled, experiential and innovation-driven skill development solutions.
Dr Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam, Director, Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT), Gurugram, and Chairman of the Monitoring Committee, stressed that skill development is an important component of nation-building. He outlined five priority pillars to guide the initiative towards a robust, future-ready and industry-aligned skill development ecosystem.
Dr Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL, said CSIR is uniquely positioned to contribute to the Skill India Mission through its extensive network of laboratories and scientific expertise, helping India emerge as a global hub for skilled talent.
A major component of the conclave was the review of the annual progress achieved by the 37 participating CSIR laboratories during 2025–26. Skill Nodal Coordinators from the laboratories presented their annual reports covering training programmes, trainee outreach, innovative initiatives, implementation challenges and future action plans.
The presentations enabled the Monitoring Committee to assess implementation across laboratories and facilitated the sharing of successful models and best practices.
The Monitoring Committee comprised Dr Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam, Chairman; Shri N. Ramesh Babu, Director, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE); Ms Anju Bajaj, Joint Secretary, Delhi Productivity Council; Dr Arvind Kumar, Professor and Chairperson, J. C. Bose University of Science and Technology; and Mr Anshul Saxena, Vice President, Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC).
Following the presentations, the committee reviewed the progress and offered recommendations aimed at improving the quality, effectiveness, outreach and long-term impact of the programme.
The second day featured technical sessions on industry collaboration and project management. Mr Anshul Saxena discussed opportunities for collaboration between CSIR and LSSSDC to strengthen industry-academia linkages, improve employability and align training programmes with industry requirements.
Dr Abhishek Kumar conducted a session on project planning and budget management, focusing on financial resource optimisation, monitoring and efficient implementation of skill development programmes.
The conclave concluded with a valedictory session and open discussion, during which Skill Nodal Officers shared their experiences and suggestions for strengthening the initiative.
The meeting reinforced coordination among CSIR laboratories and provided a comprehensive assessment of the first year of Phase III. The recommendations emerging from the deliberations are expected to guide the next phase of implementation and help expand the reach, quality and impact of CSIR’s skill development programmes.
The initiative is aimed at contributing to the development of a highly skilled scientific and technical workforce capable of supporting India’s technology-driven growth.
