PM Modi unveils Rs 62,000 crore youth scheme, PM-SETU to transform 1,000 ITIs; Bihar gets special focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a series of youth-focused initiatives worth over Rs 62,000 crore, with special emphasis on poll-bound Bihar. The announcement was made during Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh 2025, the fourth edition of the National Skill Convocation, where 46 all India ITI toppers across India were felicitated.

PM Modi unveiled Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU), a centrally sponsored initiative with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore. The scheme will upgrade 1,000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) through a hub-and-spoke model — 200 hub ITIs and 800 spoke ITIs.

“Collectively, PM-SETU will redefine India's ITI ecosystem, making it government-owned but industry-managed, with global co-financing support from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank,” the Prime Minister’s Office said.

The first phase of the scheme will focus on ITIs in Patna and Darbhanga, underlining Bihar’s central role in the programme. Modi said the PM-SETU Yojana will connect India's youth with global skill demands, opening new opportunities across sectors.

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India is a country of knowledge, skill: PM

“India is a country of knowledge and skill. This intellectual strength is our greatest power,” PM Narendra Modi said at the launch of new schemes related to youth education and skill development.

“ITIs are not only premier institutions of industrial education, they are also the workshops of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.

As part of the government's renewed push to strengthen skilling and education systems, Modi HAS also revamped state-level schemes for students and graduates in Bihar.

5 lakh graduates to get monthly allowance

Under the Mukhyamantri Nishchay Svyam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana, around five lakh graduates will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 each for two years along with free skill training. The Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme has been revamped to provide interest-free education loans of up to Rs 4 lakh to ease the financial burden on students.

More than 3.92 lakh students have already availed loans worth Rs 7,880 crore under the student credit card scheme.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Bihar Yuva Ayog, a statutory commission for people aged 18 to 45, established to mobilise and effectively utilise the potential of the state’s youth.

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25 lakh students to benefit from scholarships

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar welcomed the initiatives, calling it a “matter of great joy” that ITI toppers from across the country were being honoured at the convocation. He said the Youth Commission and the newly inaugurated Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University would benefit lakhs of students and job seekers.

“Through this, appointment letters for jobs are being distributed to the youth of Bihar and scholarships are being provided to 25 lakh students. This will benefit the people of Bihar a lot,” he said.