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Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) | Ministry of Science & Technology
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is implementing its flagship CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative, a national program designed to bridge the gap between high-level scientific research and industrial requirements. Closely aligned with ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Skill India’, the initiative leverages CSIR’s nationwide network of 37 laboratories to provide hands-on training in advanced technologies. Since its inception — the program in its first two phases — has successfully trained over 1.90 lakh individuals through 5,200+ skill-based sessions, with a strong emphasis on empowering rural citizens and women.
Multi-Sectoral Training and Advanced Skilling
Sectoral Breadth: The program covers 18 out of 36 key sectoral skills identified by the National Skill Development Mission, including aerospace, green jobs, life sciences, and food processing.
Diverse Beneficiaries: Training is designed for a broad spectrum of learners, from young researchers and professionals to school dropouts, ITI diploma holders, and farmers.
Modular Learning: The initiative offers structured short-term and long-term modules featuring internships, certification courses, and direct laboratory exposure.
Phase III Momentum: Launched in June 2025 by Director General Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Phase III focuses on advanced skilling and accelerating academic-industry integration.
Nodal Oversight: The CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC) in Ghaziabad serves as the centralized unit for monitoring and evaluating the initiative’s impact.
Phase III Progress (First Year)
Trainee Reach: Over 14,000 trainees have already been upskilled in the first year of the current phase.
Operational Scale: More than 425 training programs have been conducted across the country to meet real-world entrepreneurial and societal demands.
What is the ‘CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative’ and how does it leverage R&D for employment? It is a national framework that repurposes premier research infrastructure and scientific expertise into a vocational training pipeline. Unlike traditional skill centers, this initiative uses hands-on laboratory exposure to ensure that learners acquire practical competencies in rapidly evolving fields like hydrocarbons, electronics, and chemicals. By aligning curriculum directly with real-world industrial demands, the program transforms complex scientific research into employable skills, supporting both direct employment and self-reliant entrepreneurship across urban and rural India.
Policy Relevance
The initiative acts as a vital link in India’s innovation-led development, ensuring that the nation’s scientific advancements translate into a workforce capable of sustaining industrial growth.
Strategic Impact:
Achieving Atmanirbhar Bharat: By training over 1.9 lakh individuals in critical sectors like iron and steel and petrochemicals, the program builds the domestic human capital necessary for a self-reliant economy.
Fostering Inclusive Accessibility: The focus on rural communities and school dropouts ensures that the benefits of high-end science and technology reach the most marginalized segments of society.
Closing the Academia-Industry Gap: Phase III’s “reinvigorated focus” addresses the chronic mismatch between university education and actual industrial productivity requirements.
Scaling Emerging Technologies: Specialization in green jobs and IT/ITeS prepares the Indian workforce for the global transition toward sustainable and digital economies.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can CSIR laboratories collaborate with private industry partners to create ‘Sponsored Skill Tracks’ that guarantee immediate placement for graduates of these advanced technical modules?
Follow the full news here: CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative