Kolkata : Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, visited the Central Staff Training and Research Institute (CSTARI), Kolkata, to review the institute’s academic reforms, curriculum modernisation initiatives and infrastructure expansion roadmap.
During the visit, the Minister undertook a comprehensive review of CSTARI’s efforts to strengthen industry-aligned and future-ready curricula under flagship schemes such as the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS) and Crafts Instructor Training Scheme (CITS). Several programmes have been aligned with the National Credit Framework and approved by NCVET, reinforcing quality and standardisation within India’s skilling ecosystem.
Focus on Emerging Technologies & Green Sectors
CSTARI has introduced foundational modules on Artificial Intelligence for all trainees and developed new-age courses including:
- Data Annotation Assistant
- Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant
- Cyber Security Assistant
- Semiconductor Technician
- 5G Network Technician
Specialised curricula have also been prepared in high-growth sectors such as Green Hydrogen Production and Nuclear Power Plant Technology.
Addressing faculty members, officers and trainees, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said:
“CSTARI Kolkata plays a critical role in strengthening curriculum design, trainer development and research-led interventions. As India advances towards new frontiers in technology, clean energy and advanced manufacturing, our institutions must remain agile, innovative and globally benchmarked.”
He emphasised that integrating domains like Artificial Intelligence and Green Hydrogen, alongside infrastructure modernisation, reflects the government’s commitment to building future-ready institutions and positioning India as a global skill capital.
Strengthening Curriculum Architecture & Global Employability
The Minister was briefed on CSTARI’s structured consultative mechanism involving industry experts, state directorates, sector skill bodies and training institutions to ensure labour market responsiveness.
Highlighting the need for periodic review of CTS and CITS courses, he stated:
“Our curriculum architecture must remain agile, technology-aware and globally aligned. Institutional collaboration between CSTARI and NIMI must be strengthened around a shared vision of quality course and content development.”
He further underlined the importance of integrating internationally relevant language competencies such as Japanese and German within an NSQF-compliant framework to enhance global employability for Indian youth.
Training Milestones & Capacity Building
Reviewing performance metrics, the Minister noted that CSTARI exceeded its annual training target for the current financial year, training 1,211 participants against a target of 1,200.
The institute’s training portfolio includes:
- Foundation courses for Engineering Services Examination recruits
- Induction and in-service programmes for DGT officers
- Trainers’ competency enhancement and pedagogy training
- Employability skills development
- Master trainer capacity building under national initiatives such as PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana
Infrastructure Expansion & Sustainability Push
As part of CSTARI’s long-term development plan, Shri Jayant Chaudhary laid the foundation stone for a 200-seating capacity auditorium, aimed at strengthening academic and training infrastructure.
He was also apprised of plans to construct a new academic block and a 50-room executive hostel to support expanding training activities.
Marking the occasion, the Minister participated in a tree plantation drive on campus, reaffirming the importance of sustainability and green practices within public institutions.
The visit concluded with an interactive session with faculty and officials on accelerating curriculum modularisation, deepening industry partnerships and enhancing institutional excellence in line with national skilling priorities.
