48th NSQC Meeting Strengthens India’s Skilling Ecosystem Under Smt. Debashree Mukherjee
Daulatabad, India – 12 March 2026: The 48th Meeting of the National Skills Qualifications Committee (NSQC) was successfully conducted under the chairpersonship of Smt. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Chairperson, National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET). The session marked a key milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the national skilling framework and ensure alignment with industry requirements.
Comprehensive Review of Qualifications and Standards
During the meeting, the NSQC reviewed a total of 43 Qualifications, National Occupational Standards (NOS), and Micro-Credentials (MCs) submitted by 18 NCVET-recognized Awarding Bodies across diverse sectors, including:
- Electronics
- Tourism & Hospitality
- Healthcare
- Agriculture
- Instrumentation & Automation
- Iron & Steel
- Hydrocarbon
- Beauty & Wellness
- Environment & Green Jobs
The Committee also considered proposals for the adoption of new Qualifications and the extension of existing ones currently implemented under various government skill development schemes.
Participation of Key Stakeholders
The meeting saw active participation from:
- Prof. (Dr.) Ashok Kumar Gaba, Executive Member, NCVET
- Dr. Suhas Deshmukh, Director & Secretary to the Council, NCVET
- Members of NSQC representing Central Ministries and Departments, including the Ministry of Rural Development and Ministry of Labour and Employment
- Sector experts and other stakeholders from academia and industry
Awarding Bodies presenting their Qualifications included: DGT, Agriculture Skill Council of India, Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council, Electronics Sector Skills Council of India, Ganpat University, Healthcare Sector Skill Council, Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council, Indian Iron & Steel Sector Skill Council, Instrumentation Automation Surveillance Communication Sector Skill Council, Leather Sector Skill Council, Skill Council for Green Jobs, Skill Council for Mining Sector, Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, West Bengal State Council of Technical and Vocational Education and Skill Development, Haryana Knowledge Corporation Limited (HKCL), National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC), and Bharatiya Engineering Science & Technology Innovation University (BESTIU).
Focus on Industry-Relevant, Future-Ready Skills
Speaking at the meeting, Smt. Debashree Mukherjee highlighted that India’s skilling ecosystem must:
- Promote innovation and best practices
- Ensure regulatory compliance
- Align closely with industry requirements
She emphasized the need to equip workers with multiple skill sets to enhance adaptability and employability in a rapidly evolving labour market. This approach aims to build a globally competitive workforce, ready to meet both domestic and international industry demands.
A Step Forward for India’s Skilling Mission
The 48th NSQC meeting reflects India’s commitment to continuously review, upgrade, and implement skill qualifications across sectors. By strengthening the link between industry, government, and training bodies, the NSQC ensures that vocational education remains relevant, high-quality, and future-ready, contributing significantly to the country’s Skill India mission.
About NSQC & NCVET:
The National Skills Qualifications Committee (NSQC) is a key statutory body under NCVET, responsible for reviewing and approving qualifications, standards, and micro-credentials across sectors. NCVET ensures regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and alignment with national skill development priorities, facilitating a robust skilling ecosystem in India.
