MSDE hosts a Jan Shikshan Sansthan zonal conference in Pune to strengthen last-mile skilling, women livelihoods, and community-based vocational training.
MSDE to Hold Jan Shikshan Sansthan Zonal Conference in Pune: Strengthening Last-Mile Skilling
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is set to convene a two-day Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Zonal Conference-cum-Stakeholder Consultation in Pune on January 19–20. At a time when India’s skilling challenge is less about scale and more about reach, relevance, and sustainability, the conference is expected to play a crucial role in redefining how community-based vocational education responds to evolving labour markets, digital transformation, and women-led livelihood models.
Hosted at the Symbiosis Skill and Professional University, the event will bring together hundreds of grassroots institutions that form the backbone of India’s non-formal skilling ecosystem.
What the Pune Conference Is About
The conference is designed as a review-plus-consultation platform, combining administrative assessment with forward-looking policy dialogue.
- Participation: Representatives from 152 Jan Shikshan Sansthans across 11 States and Union Territories
- Stakeholders involved: Officials from the Directorate of Jan Shikshan Sansthan and the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD)
- Core purpose:
- Review physical and financial performance of JSSs during FY 2025–26
- Discuss implementation challenges, regional variations, and institutional bottlenecks
- Collect structured feedback to guide future reforms of the JSS Scheme
The consultation format reflects MSDE’s growing emphasis on evidence-based policymaking that draws directly from field-level experience.
Understanding the Jan Shikshan Sansthan Model
The Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme is a Central Sector initiative implemented through non-governmental organisations. Its design sets it apart from mainstream skilling programmes in three key ways:
- Target Group Focus
JSSs primarily serve:- Non-literate and neo-literate adults
- School dropouts
- Workers from marginalised and informal sectors
- Social Inclusion at the Core
Priority is given to:- Women
- Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- Minority communities
- Other disadvantaged and economically weaker groups
- Training at the Doorstep
Courses are delivered through community centres and sub-centres, making skilling accessible in:- Aspirational districts
- Tribal and hilly regions
- Left-wing extremism-affected areas
- Remote border and rural locations
This hyper-local delivery model has made JSSs one of India’s most effective tools for last-mile skilling.
Scale and Outcomes So Far
The reach of the JSS Scheme has steadily expanded over the years.
| Indicator | Status (as of Dec 31, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Operational JSSs | 294 |
| States Covered | 26 |
| Union Territories Covered | 7 |
| NSQF-aligned Courses | 51 |
| Total Beneficiaries Trained | 34+ lakh |
| Women Beneficiaries | 28+ lakh |
The overwhelming participation of women highlights the scheme’s role in:
- Supporting women-led micro-enterprises
- Enhancing household income security
- Strengthening local and informal economies, especially in rural and semi-urban India
Why MSDE Is Emphasising Stakeholder Consultations Now
India’s skilling ecosystem is undergoing a transition—from coverage-oriented expansion to quality- and outcome-oriented consolidation. The Pune conference reflects this shift.
Key focus areas include:
- Demand-driven skill identification: Aligning courses with local and regional labour market needs
- Digital integration: Exploring the use of digital platforms and artificial intelligence for training delivery, monitoring, and outreach
- Capacity building of JSS institutions:
- Employability and soft skills
- Entrepreneurship development
- Credit linkage and financial literacy
- Institutional financial management
Many grassroots organisations have strong community trust but limited exposure to modern tools and markets. The consultation aims to bridge this gap.
Exposure, Innovation, and Market Linkages
Beyond policy discussions, the conference includes practical learning components:
- Exposure visit to modern skill laboratories at the host university
- Product exhibition showcasing goods and services developed by JSS trainees
These initiatives are intended to:
- Connect traditional skills with contemporary market expectations
- Encourage innovation and product diversification
- Improve visibility and market access for locally produced goods
Institutional Learning and Policy Feedback Loops
A central objective of the zonal conference format is to create a two-way feedback mechanism between policymakers and implementing organisations.
Field-level issues expected to be discussed include:
- Availability and retention of qualified trainers
- Learner mobilisation and course completion rates
- Post-training placement challenges
- Support systems for self-employment and micro-entrepreneurship
Insights from these discussions are likely to inform:
- Guideline refinements
- Administrative simplification
- Greater operational flexibility for community-based models
What Comes Next for the JSS Scheme
The valedictory session on January 20 will be addressed by senior MSDE officials, including the Secretary of the Ministry. Key recommendations emerging from the conference will be consolidated for future action.
These outcomes are expected to shape:
- The next phase of JSS Scheme strengthening
- Deeper alignment with entrepreneurship promotion and local economic development
- Integration with India’s broader vision of a skilled, self-reliant Bharat
Why This Conference Matters
The Pune meet is more than a routine administrative review. It represents a strategic checkpoint in India’s effort to ensure that skilling policies reach those who are often excluded from formal education and employment pathways.
By reinforcing community-based institutions, updating skill offerings, and amplifying women-centric livelihood models, the Jan Shikshan Sansthan framework continues to demonstrate how inclusive skilling can translate into inclusive growth—one community at a time.
