PM Modi to launch Rs 62,000 crore youth-focused projects in Bihar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil youth-focused initiatives worth over Rs 62,000 crore on Saturday, with a special emphasis on Bihar.

His office described the announcement as a landmark exercise for empowering young people through education, skill development, and entrepreneurship.

At the heart of these initiatives is the launch of PM-SETU (Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs), a centrally sponsored scheme with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore. The project will upgrade 1,000 government ITIs in a hub-and-spoke model comprising 200 hubs and 800 spokes.

Each hub will link to four spokes on average, creating clusters with modern trades, digital learning systems, incubation facilities, and advanced infrastructure.

Anchor industry partners will manage the clusters, ensuring outcome-based skilling aligned to market demand. Hubs will also



host innovation centres, production units, and placement services, while spokes will expand access.

According to the PMO, "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."

In the first phase, the project will prioritise ITIs in Patna and Darbhanga in Bihar.

The Prime Minister will also inaugurate 1,200 vocational skill labs across 400 Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools in 34 states and Union Territories. These labs will provide hands-on training in 12 high-demand sectors, from IT and agriculture to logistics and tourism.

Aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 and CBSE curriculum, 1,200 vocational teachers will be trained to deliver industry-ready skills, especially in remote and tribal areas.