The state of technical education in Uttar Pradesh has long been a cause for concern. Due to the lack of modern laboratories and equipment in polytechnics and engineering colleges, along with weak training standards, degree and diploma holders are unable to acquire skills that meet industry demands. The growing gap between education and industry has left millions of youth lagging in the race for employment.

Experts believe that without practical training, modern infrastructure, and strong industry collaboration, this challenge cannot be resolved. In a revolutionary step towards addressing this issue, the Yogi Adityanath government has signed a historic agreement with Tata Technologies Limited. Under this agreement, 150 state-run Industrial Training Institutes and 121 government polytechnics will be equipped with cutting-edge technology. This initiative will not only open new employment opportunities for youth but also set Uttar Pradesh on the path to economic self-reliance.

Read in Hindi: उत्तर प्रदेश में तकनीकी शिक्षा के लिए टाटा टेक्नोलॉजीज के साथ करार

The mega-project, costing approximately ₹6,935.8 crore, will see Tata Technologies contributing 87 per cent of the funding, while the state government will bear the remaining cost, including civil infrastructure. 

The first phase of the project, to be completed by 2025-26, will modernise 50 ITIs and 45 polytechnics, while the second phase (2026-2028) will upgrade the remaining 100 ITIs and 76 polytechnics. The goal is to provide world-class training to 35,000 youth annually. Tata Technologies will introduce 11 long-term and 23 short-term courses in fields such as robotics, artificial intelligence, automation, smart manufacturing, and green energy. These courses will be conducted by Tata experts and instructors from the Department of Technical Education, with students also receiving on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities in Tata Group companies and other national and international firms. 

Industry leaders have hailed this agreement as a milestone towards Uttar Pradesh’s trillion-dollar economy goal. This partnership will elevate technical education in the state to new heights. Tata Technologies officials have committed to providing globally competitive skills to youth, calling it a step towards nation-building. The government clarified that this is not privatisation of ITIs but a collaborative model, where Tata will handle technical upgrades and training while administrative and financial responsibilities remain with the state. 

However, this ambitious scheme is not without challenges. Upgrading 271 institutes in three years is a complex task. Concerns have been raised over the shortage of trainers in rural areas and the lack of transparency in the project cost escalation from ₹5,472 crore to ₹6,935.8 crore. Experts suggest justifying the cost increase, considering raising the government’s share to 20 per cent, and aligning courses with local industry needs—such as automobile, handicrafts, agri-tech, and green energy. Quarterly skill audits, industry feedback mechanisms, and a digital skilling dashboard are also recommended. 

Similar partnerships in other Indian states have seen notable success. According to Mysuru industrialist Jagan Benjamin, Karnataka’s Cisco Networking Academy provided cybersecurity and networking training in over 150 ITIs, securing jobs for 50,000+ students with an 85 per cent placement rate. Examples also include Tamil Nadu’s Industry 4.0-focused training with the Schwab Foundation and Siemens’ smart manufacturing labs in 80 ITIs in Maharashtra. 

Educational consultant N Ganeshan believes that if this project remains focused on local needs and maintains transparency, it will not only generate employment for youth but also prove to be a historic step towards making Uttar Pradesh technically and economically self-reliant.