Skill Revolution Ahead? Centre Clears Maharashtra's Rs 4,000 Crore Mahadrishti Plan

Last Updated:February 22, 2026, 03:03 IST

The move is expected to significantly expand access to modern skill training, especially in rural and remote regions where employability gaps remain high

Maharashtra is preparing a large-scale overhaul of its skill development ecosystem after the Centre cleared the state’s ambitious Mahadrishti project, unlocking financial assistance of nearly Rs 4,000 crore from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The approval, granted by a screening committee of the Union Finance Ministry, is expected to significantly expand access to modern skill training, especially in rural and remote regions where employability gaps remain high.

State Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said the project aims to align training programmes with real industry demand while making employment opportunities accessible to weaker sections of society. The initiative will also include special provisions for women trainees to improve workforce participation.

Officials said the project focuses on upgrading Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), modernising infrastructure and introducing technology-driven courses. Many existing institutes still run on outdated equipment, often limiting placement prospects for students. Under Mahadrishti, training facilities will be rebuilt or refurbished and equipped with contemporary machinery used in manufacturing, services and emerging sectors.

The programme will work alongside existing initiatives such as the World Bank-supported Daksh project and the PM Setu scheme. The government intends to integrate remaining components under a unified framework to avoid duplication and ensure better utilisation of funds.

Authorities believe this convergence approach could help standardise training quality and improve certification credibility—an issue often raised by employers who struggle to find job-ready candidates despite a large number of graduates from vocational institutes.

The state plans to design courses that meet both domestic and international labour market requirements. Officials indicated that placement support and industry partnerships will form a core part of implementation, with detailed project reports to be prepared shortly.

According to the department, several lakh students have already found employment through existing training programmes, and the ADB funding is expected to scale up capacity substantially.

The project also aligns with the broader national push to strengthen vocational education as part of long-term economic growth goals. State leaders say improving skills is essential not only for employment generation but also for supporting manufacturing expansion and attracting investment.

If executed effectively, Mahadrishti could shift the state’s training system from certificate-based learning to competency-based employment—a change policymakers believe is necessary to meet future workforce demands.

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