Major Reform in ITI Training: Mandatory 150 Hours of OJT Introduced

**Overview** The Directorate General of Training (DGT), under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, introduced a mandatory provision of 150 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Group Project for trainees in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). **Key Highlights** • The annual training duration has been restructured and reduced from 1,600 hours to 1,200 hours. • 150 hours of OJT is now completely mandatory to ensure trainees gain real industrial exposure. • Trainees become eligible for OJT or project work only after completing three months of training in the ITI. • Performance will be strictly evaluated by industry mentors and reflected directly in the final marksheet. • The initiative is fully aligned with the experiential learning goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. **Key Developments / Drivers** Traditional ITI training limited trainees' exposure to modern industrial technologies by restricting learning to campus tools. By shifting to an industry-integrated training model, the government aims to equip youth with competencies aligned to actual workplace requirements. This reform bridges the critical gap between classroom theory and real-world industrial application. **Strategic Importance** This is highly relevant for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Education, Human Resources) and GS Paper 3 (Employment). It directly supports the 'Skilled India, Developed India' vision by transitioning vocational education from theoretical instruction to practical competence, building a highly skilled, future-ready national workforce. **Future Outlook** This structural reform will permanently deepen industry-institution linkages, making Indian youth truly job-ready. OJT will eventually be incorporated as a key parameter in the Data Driven Grading Methodology (DDGM), setting higher benchmarks for ITI evaluations globally.