CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative: Powering India’s Skilled Workforce
The CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative is a flagship national programme implemented by The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), India’s premier R and D organization closely aligned with the national vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Skill India’, aiming at bridging the gap between scientific research on one hand and industry requirements, and employable skills, on the other hand. The programme’s primary objective is to seamlessly integrate skill development with science and technology by leveraging CSIR’s vast research infrastructure, widespread network domains, and profound scientific expertise spread across the country. It provides inclusive accessibility, catering to a diverse spectrum of beneficiaries ranging from students, young researchers, technical staff, and working professionals to school dropouts, ITI diploma holders, farmers, and rural communities. The primary emphasis of this initiative is to align skill training with real-world industrial, societal, and entrepreneurial demands.
Through structured short-term and long-term skill development modules comprising training, internships, certification courses, and hands-on laboratory exposure, this initiative equips participants with comprehensive skill development in advanced and rapidly evolving technologies interconnected with industry requirements. The programme spans 18 out of 36 key sectoral skills as identified by the National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) which include aerospace and aviation, agriculture, automotive, construction, capital goods, electronics, food processing, green jobs, hydrocarbon, healthcare, handicrafts and carpets, iron and steel, rubber, chemicals and petrochemicals, leather, life sciences, management and entrepreneurship, mining, textile and IT and ITeS technologies. The key goal of this initiative is to ensure learners acquire not only strong theoretical knowledge but also build practical competencies supporting employment, entrepreneurship, and overall career growth.
CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative has trained more than 1.90 lakh individuals through 5200+ skill-based trainings, including special targeted initiatives for rural citizens and women during phase I&II. The third phase of this initiative was officially launched in June 2025 by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General, CSIR, and Secretary, DSIR, Govt. of India with a reinvigorated focus on advanced skilling, bridging academia-industry gaps, and accelerating development and growth. The first year of the third phase of this initiative has already trained more than 14,000 trainees by conducting 425+ training programmes across 37 CSIR laboratories, nationwide.
The CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (HRDC), Ghaziabad (UP), the centralized training unit of CSIR and the nodal office for the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative, has been playing a pivotal role in periodically monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating the performance of the Initiative. With a strong emphasis on quality, relevance, and impact, the initiative is dedicated to playing a crucial role in building a skilled, knowledgeable, and self-reliant India.
Highlights of various Skill Development Training Programmes conducted across CSIR laboratories
