National Workshop Marks Major Step in Integrating Vocational Education with School Curriculum

New Delhi, July 18: In a key step toward aligning vocational education with mainstream schooling in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a National Workshop was held in New Delhi today to facilitate the onboarding of State and Union Territory education boards as Dual Category Awarding Bodies under the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET).

Organised jointly by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L) under the Ministry of Education, and NCVET, the workshop brought together over 150 participants, including senior officials from 24 State and UT education boards. The initiative represents a whole-of-government push to embed vocational education directly within the school ecosystem, ensuring a more seamless and employability-driven learning experience for students.

Empowering State Boards with Dual Roles
The workshop focused on guiding State Boards through the process of applying for NCVET recognition as Dual Category Awarding Bodies — entities authorized to both conduct training and assess learners under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). This designation enables school boards to play a more central role in vocational education delivery, going beyond certification to take full ownership of training quality and outcomes.

Speaking at the workshop, Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, stated, “With State Boards now stepping into the role of Dual Category Awarding Bodies, the responsibility is immense. It is no longer just about conducting examinations, but about upholding high standards in vocational training, pedagogy, and outcomes.”

He emphasized that NCVET must evolve as a benchmark of quality within the skills ecosystem, ensuring that every course and certificate reflects excellence.

Key Outcomes and Hands-On Support
The workshop offered hands-on technical guidance and live application support by NCVET consultants. As a result:

24 States successfully initiated their applications for Dual Category recognition

6 States — Goa, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and Nagaland — completed and submitted their applications during the event

The Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) shared its successful onboarding journey as a case study, offering practical insights into the process.

Participants were briefed on relevant regulatory frameworks including the National Credit Framework, Academic Bank of Credits, and the National Curriculum Framework, which will enable Boards to deliver and assess courses up to NSQF Level 4—a key threshold for grassroots-level skilling and employment-readiness.

A Strategic Push for Vocational Mainstreaming
Senior officials including Sonal Mishra, Additional Secretary, MSDE; Prachi Pandey, Joint Secretary, DoSE&L; and NCVET Executive Members Dr. Vinita Agarwal and Dr. Neena Pahuja, addressed the delegates and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to mainstreaming vocational education through strong institutional frameworks and inter-ministerial coordination.

The workshop concluded a multi-week consultation process that included virtual sessions, state-level meetings, and interdepartmental planning—laying the foundation for State Boards to become credible, outcome-focused contributors to India’s growing skilling ecosystem.