The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship has made 150 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Group Project mandatory for trainees under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). The guidelines were issued by the Directorate General of Training and are effective from the 2022–23 academic session.
Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, the annual CTS training duration has been reduced from 1,600 hours to 1,200 hours, alongside the introduction of structured OJT to ensure real industrial exposure. Trainees will qualify for OJT after completing three months of ITI training. Assessment will be based on mentor evaluation, logbook review and viva during practical exams, with grades reflected in the marksheet and an industry-approved certificate issued upon completion.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development, Jayant Chaudhary, said the reform shifts focus from certification to employability, adding that industry-integrated training will accelerate the vision of “Skilled India, Developed India.”
In Guwahati, the reform will benefit Assam’s manufacturing, repair and service sectors by ensuring ITI graduates possess practical skills aligned with evolving technology needs. Stronger industry–ITI collaboration is expected to support workforce readiness in emerging industrial clusters across the region. The CTS, launched in 1950, remains a cornerstone of India’s skill development framework, with certification supported by NCVET and DGT.
