PM Modi To Inaugurate Maharashtra STEP Scheme; Boosts Employment & Self-Reliance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate STEP, a state-level programme focused on equipping young individuals with industry-relevant skills.

The initiative targets 75,000 trainees in the current year and aims to expand training to one lakh trainees from the next year, providing access to modern technology and skill courses aligned with local industry needs.

Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha stated that the inaugural programme will take place at 600 locations across Maharashtra, inviting artisans from the Vishwakarma community, local artists, and experts in traditional trades as chief guests.

The event honours their contributions while promoting respect for India’s cultural and artisanal heritage.

The programme will establish 2,506 training units across 419 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 141 government technical schools, with courses selected according to local demand and public interest.

District-level institution management committees will oversee implementation, ensuring local participation, accountability, and quality control in skill education.

Industry-Oriented and Modern Courses

STEP focuses on modern technology training, including additive manufacturing, drone technology, electric vehicles, solar energy, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen, mobile repair, and social media influencing.

The programme also aims to empower women and rural youth, with 364 special batches for women and 408 special batches for emerging sectors.

Special centres will open in Gadchiroli, Latur, Nagpur, and Amravati to address local industry requirements. A unique course, ‘Vedic Sanskar Junior Assistant’, will also be introduced ahead of the Kumbh Mela in Nashik.

The government has implemented a fully online admission process, with registration available at https://admission.dvet.gov.in.

Training fees range from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month, with 25 per cent of seats reserved for current institute trainees and the remainder open to external candidates.

Eligibility extends to students of ITI, Class 10 and 12, diploma, and degree courses.

Prime Minister Modi’s inauguration of STEP reflects the government’s commitment to skill development, youth empowerment, and employment creation.

By decentralising training, aligning courses with industry needs, and providing modern technology skills, STEP aims to make Maharashtra’s youth self-reliant, promote self-employment, and strengthen the state’s workforce for emerging sectors.

The initiative also reinforces the broader vision of equipping India’s youth for the jobs of the future, while preserving traditional skills and ensuring equitable opportunities for all communities.

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