Govt Mandates 150-Hour Practical Training for ITI Trainees

The Directorate General of Training has formally issued guidelines requiring all trainees in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to complete 150 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) or a trade-based group project as part of their curriculum under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). The directive, issued in early March 2026, makes structured industry exposure a formal requirement after trainees finish at least three months of classroom and workshop training.  

According to official guidelines, trainees will work under industry mentors who will assess performance through documented tasks, logbooks and periodic evaluations. These assessments will be factored into the practical examination and reflected in trainees’ marksheets. Where direct placement is not feasible, students must complete a group project tied to their trade.  

“The mandatory 150 hours of structured on-the-job training or group project for ITI trainees is a significant reform to enhance the quality and relevance of vocational education,” Jayant Chaudhary, Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, said in a statement issued with the guidelines. He added that “classroom learning alone is not enough” and that workplace exposure develops practical competence and confidence. 

Why the OJT Requirement Matters

The new requirement responds to long-standing concerns about gaps in practical exposure for vocational trainees. Traditional ITI instruction often relies on campus-based tools and workshops, which may not expose students to modern industrial processes and technologies. The OJT or project work component intends to align training more closely with real workplace practices and employer expectations.  

Under the revised framework, the overall annual training hours for CTS programmes have been adjusted, with total instructional time reduced from 1,600 to 1,200 hours to accommodate the 150-hour practical component. Industry mentors will oversee trainees during placements, guiding them through tasks and evaluating their performance. These evaluations will become part of data-driven grading methodologies aimed at measuring competencies against industry benchmarks. 

For trainees enrolled under the Dual System of Training (DST)—a model that integrates classroom instruction with structured industry apprenticeship—mandatory project work will replace on-job training since these students already receive workplace exposure.  

Officials involved in drafting the guidelines emphasise that documentation of activities, mentor feedback and performance reviews will create a more transparent evaluation process. This emphasis on assessment and industry oversight is expected to help institutions identify areas where trainees may require additional support or targeted instruction.

Scale of ITI Network and Policy Context

India’s vocational training network under the Craftsmen Training Scheme is extensive. Government data show there are over 14,600 ITIs across the country, comprising both government and private institutions. These institutes offer training in over 169 National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-compliant trades. 

Together, these ITIs enrol more than 2.6 million trainees in one- and two-year courses that prepare students for technical roles in manufacturing, services and engineering sectors. 

Investing in quality vocational training is central to national skill development goals, especially given industry demand for hands-on competence in areas such as electrical work, mechanical fabrication, IT services, automotive technology and construction trades. Both enrolment and training quality have been policy priorities in recent years.

The new OJT requirement is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to strengthen linkages between training institutions and employers. Officials state that practical exposure will help trainees transition more smoothly into workplace environments. It also aligns with reforms prioritising experiential learning and industry collaboration within national vocational education frameworks. 

Structured industry mentorship during the 150-hour requirement is intended to complement classroom instruction, reinforce workplace norms such as communication and teamwork, and provide direct insight into current industrial practices. Authorities believe that documented performance and mentor evaluations will help institutions benchmark training outcomes and update curricula accordingly.

Advance on Employability Goals

The guidelines explicitly tie the OJT / project requirement to employability outcomes. Authorities note that structured workplace exposure contributes to skill competency and can reduce onboarding time for employers hiring ITI graduates. Mentors are tasked with evaluating trainees against clearly defined criteria, and institutes are expected to maintain these records for ongoing quality assurance.

“This initiative will help trainees integrate smoothly into the workforce and adapt better to workplace environments,” the official guideline states, underscoring continuous assessment during industry engagement.  

The policy does not merely add hours; it embeds industry engagement within the core training design by connecting institutional instruction with real-world task performance. For students, completing 150 hours of practical exposure or a trade project will become a documented milestone before certification.

Implementation at scale will require coordination between state skill development departments, ITI management and industry partners to secure placements or project opportunities. Officials expect the phased rollout to involve regular monitoring and feedback loops to refine the process over time.

The mandatory 150-hour on-job training requirement aims to strengthen horizontal linkages between vocational education and industry practices. By embedding practical work experience and formal evaluations into the ITI curriculum, the initiative seeks to enhance trainees’ readiness for employment and align skills development with employer expectations.