Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir has secured approval for two major Industrial Training Institute (ITI) clusters under the Centre’s PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs) scheme, with a combined investment of ₹475 crore aimed at modernising vocational training and strengthening industry-linked skilling in the Union Territory.
The Srinagar and Jammu clusters are among the first 14 ITI clusters approved by the National Steering Committee under the scheme, which completed one year on Saturday.
According to official details, the Srinagar cluster has been approved with an investment of ₹235 crore and will be developed in partnership with Inderdeep Infra India Limited, while the Jammu cluster has received approval for ₹240 crore with Eagle Infra India Limited as the anchor industry partner. Both clusters will focus on infrastructure and construction-related skills.
The approvals are part of the Centre’s ₹60,000-crore PM-SETU programme launched on October 4, 2025, to upgrade 1,000 government ITIs across the country through a hub-and-spoke model and strengthen industry participation in vocational education.
Officials said the upgraded institutions will be equipped with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, advanced laboratories, digital learning systems and industry-aligned training facilities. The initiative also aims to improve placement opportunities and align skill development with evolving workforce requirements.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship said a total of 850 ITIs, including 172 hub ITIs and 678 spoke ITIs, have been identified under the programme so far, while 14 clusters across the country have received approval for Strategic Investment Plans worth ₹3,446 crore.
PM-SETU also promotes industry-led governance through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), enabling industry partners to play a key role in curriculum design, training delivery and infrastructure development.
The scheme further supports the introduction of new-age courses in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, robotics, electric vehicles, drones, semiconductor technology, green hydrogen and solar energy.
Officials said the inclusion of Jammu and Srinagar among the first approved clusters is expected to strengthen the skilling ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir and create greater opportunities for youth seeking industry-relevant vocational training and employment.
