Major Reform in ITI Training: Mandatory 150 Hours of OJT / Group Project Introduced

1. At a Glance

Directorate General of Training (DGT) under Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has mandated 150 hours of On-the-Job Training (OJT) or Group Project for every trainee in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), effective academic session 2022–23 [S1][S2].
Annual ITI training duration reduced from 1,600 hours to 1,200 hours, with the new 150-hour industry-exposure block bolted on to align with modern/emerging industrial technologies [S1][S2].
Relevant for UPSC Prelims (schemes/agencies) and Mains GS-II (education/skill governance) & GS-III (employment, human-capital, industry 4.0).

2. Why in the News

02 March 2026 PIB release: DGT issued detailed implementation guidelines for the mandatory 150-hour OJT/Group Project provision under CTS [S1].
Follow-up PIB note on Regulations on OJT for ITI Trainees clarifying trade-eligibility, safety, travel & accommodation, and project-substitution rules [S2].

3. Background & Evolution

Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): launched 1950 by the then DGE&T (now DGT); delivered through ITIs — India's flagship long-term vocational training programme [S2][S3].
2014: DGT transferred from Ministry of Labour & Employment to the newly created Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship [S3].
NEP 2020 and Skill India push for industry-integrated, outcome-based vocational training drove curriculum redesign.
AY 2022–23: revised CTS curriculum operationalised — hours cut to 1,200 + 150 OJT/Group Project [S1].
2026: DGT issues detailed operating guidelines and safety regulations [S1][S2].

4. Core Static Facts

Parent Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) [S1].
Implementing Body: Directorate General of Training (DGT) [S1].
Scheme: Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), delivered via ITIs [S1].
Mandatory OJT/Group Project: 150 hours per trainee [S1].
Annual training hours: revised from 1,600 → 1,200 [S1].
Effective from: Academic session 2022–23 [S1].
Eligibility for OJT/project: minimum 3 months of ITI training completed [S1][S2].
Fallback: where OJT not feasible, trade-related Group Project mandatory [S1].
Support: travel & accommodation for trainees posted at distant locations; safety & well-being assurances [S1][S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Economic / Employment - Aims to close the classroom-industry skill gap; reduces post-hire retraining cost for industry [S1]. - Strengthens supply of "industry-ready" craftsmen for Make in India, PLI sectors, and Industry 4.0 absorption.

Administrative - Centre-driven curriculum (DGT) but ITIs are largely state-administered — requires state/UT compliance, MoUs with local industry, NSTI mentoring [S1]. - Risk: industry-thin districts may lean disproportionately on the Group Project substitute, diluting the "real exposure" intent [S1].

Social - Distance-OJT support (travel/lodging) lowers barrier for rural & low-income trainees; safety guidelines particularly relevant for women trainees [S2].

Scientific / Technological - Explicit rationale: traditional ITI workshops lack modern/emerging technologies; OJT exposes trainees to current shop-floor tech (CNC, automation, EVs, etc.) [S1].

Governance - Aligns with NEP 2020 vocational mainstreaming and National Credit Framework (NCrF) credit-mapping for skill hours. - Complements National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and Skill India Programme (restructured by Cabinet 2025) [S4].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

2025: Cabinet approved Continuation and Restructuring of Skill India Programme (PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, JSS) [S4].
02 March 2026: PIB — DGT issues detailed guidelines on 150-hr OJT/Group Project under CTS [S1].
2026: PIB — separate Regulations on OJT for ITI Trainees released covering eligibility, safety, support [S2].
2026: DGT announced admissions for CITS 2026-27 at NSTIs/IToTs (instructor pipeline to deliver new curriculum) [S5].

7. Prelims Hooks

150 hours of OJT or Group Project is mandatory for ITI trainees under CTS [S1].
Effective from academic session 2022–23 [S1].
Annual ITI training reduced from 1,600 to 1,200 hours [S1].
Implementing body: Directorate General of Training (DGT), NOT NSDC [S1].
Parent Ministry: MSDE (DGT was shifted here from Labour Ministry in 2014) [S1].
Trainee eligible for OJT only after 3 months of in-ITI training [S1][S2].
Fallback when OJT unavailable: trade-related Group Project [S1].
Scheme under which reform applies: Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) [S1].
ITIs trainer pipeline runs through NSTIs and IToTs under the Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) [S5].
Skill India restructured by Cabinet in 2025 bundling PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, JSS [S4].

8. Mains Relevance

GS-II: Government policies & interventions; issues relating to development & management of Social Sector — Education/Skilling.
GS-III: Indian economy — employment, human resource development, industrial growth.
Plausible question stems: 1. "Mandatory On-the-Job Training in ITIs marks a shift from input-based to outcome-based vocational education. Examine." 2. "Despite repeated reforms, the ITI ecosystem suffers a chronic industry-disconnect. Critically evaluate the 2022–23 CTS curriculum reform in this context." 3. "Discuss how NEP 2020's vocationalisation goals are being operationalised through schemes such as CTS, NAPS and PMKVY."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) — parent scheme being reformed.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) — sister industry-exposure programme.
PMKVY 4.0 / Skill India Programme restructuring 2025 [S4] — umbrella architecture.
National Education Policy 2020 — vocational mainstreaming and credit framework.
NSDC, NCVET, DGT — institutional triad governing skilling.
National Credit Framework (NCrF) — credits skill hours including OJT.
Industry 4.0 & PLI schemes — demand-side driver for upgraded craftsmen.
ILO Skills frameworks / G20 skilling commitments — international benchmark.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

DGT sits under MSDE, not Ministry of Labour & Employment (shifted in 2014).
CTS is run via ITIs; CITS is the instructor training scheme — easy to swap.
The 150 hours is additional/embedded in the new 1,200-hr year, not added to the old 1,600-hr year [S1].
Group Project is a substitute for OJT only where OJT is not feasible — not a free choice [S1].
Reform is effective from 2022–23, though detailed guidelines came in 2026; questions may test either date [S1].

11. Sources

[S1] Major Reform in ITI Training: Mandatory 150 Hours of OJT / Group Project Introduced — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2234643 — (tier: 1)
[S2] Regulations on OJT for ITI Trainees — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2244982 — (tier: 1)
[S3] Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2244979 — (tier: 1)
[S4] Cabinet Approves Continuation and Restructuring of Skill India Programme — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2100847 — (tier: 1)
[S5] DGT, MSDE announces CITS admissions 2026-27 at NSTIs and IToTs — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2256965 — (tier: 1)