The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation (ABCF) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, has launched the Innovation and Start-up Challenge aimed at fostering entrepreneurial skills among students of National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) across India.
The initiative seeks to engage more than 10,000 NSTI students in an innovation-driven competition that encourages them to develop creative ideas and convert their vocational skills into viable start-ups. The program is designed to instill a culture of innovation and self-reliance among the country’s skilled youth.
Under the partnership, BITS Pilani will provide technical mentorship, incubation support, and access to its innovation ecosystem, while ABCF will extend industry mentorship and resource facilitation. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) under MSDE will oversee implementation across the NSTI network.
The challenge will include stages such as idea submission, mentoring sessions, prototype development, and final presentations before a jury of experts. Selected ideas will receive incubation support, prizes, and guidance to transform them into sustainable enterprises.
Speaking at the launch, officials from MSDE highlighted that the collaboration marks a significant step towards integrating entrepreneurship with vocational education. “This initiative empowers our skilled students to not only seek employment but also create jobs,” an MSDE spokesperson said.
The program aligns with the government’s larger vision of promoting innovation and start-up culture under the Skill India Mission, ensuring that India’s skilled workforce contributes actively to the nation’s growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.