Selection / Updation of Courses under Skill Development

1. • In order to carry out the demand analysis of the IT Skill Training Courses to be undertaken for enhancing the employability of jobless youth of J&K in the IT industry with special emphasis on Local IT Sector through NSQF-based Skill Development, a detailed discussion and consultation was held with Information and Communication Technology Association (ICTA) of Jammu and Kashmir (ICTA-JK). ICTA-JK represents more than 80 companies engaged in the businesses of IT Hardware, IT Retail, IT Systems Integrators, Business Process Management (BPO/BPM), IT networking, and software development within the UT of J&K. ICTA-JK is registered under the Societies Act of Govt. of India and holds esteemed recognition from the Government of Jammu and Kashmir. It has actively contributed to the drafting of the IT Policy of J&K and is empanelled in the IT Task Force of the IT Department.

   • ICTA-JK reviewed the list of NSQF courses submitted by NIELIT J&K and, keeping in view job roles of the listed courses and the current in-demand verticals of the local IT industry (and the country in general), suggested the NSQF courses to address the skill demand as depicted in Annexure 1.

   • ICTA-JK further proposed that a Job Readiness Assessment and Preparation Program—which includes Communication and Language Proficiency Tests, Group Discussions (GD), and Personal Interviews (PI)—should also be undertaken for trainees to improve employment opportunities and placements.

   • ICTA also expressed willingness to actively participate in industry-academia interactions, such as guest lectures, workshops, internship programs, and placements, to enrich the learning experience for students in the proposed project. A letter from ICTA is attached as Annexure 1.

   • Furthermore, during project execution, an expert committee will be formed to review/update the course basket. The title and level of the courses mentioned are subject to revision per NCVET/NSQC recommendations. The committee may replace existing courses with others of equal notional hours or launch new courses by reallocating notional hours—while maintaining the total allocated training target—subject to approval.

2. Selection of Locations

   • The Skill Development programme will be conducted at four NIELIT Centers in J&K and Ladakh—including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, and Kargil—and their extension centers for three years. If NIELIT J&K and Ladakh receives a request from any university, government educational institution, or other recognized educational body within J&K and Ladakh to conduct a batch on-campus, it may do so provided the institution supplies all required infrastructure facilities.

3. Selection Criteria and Registration of Beneficiaries

   • Applications from interested candidates will be invited via an online portal, with additional publicity through regional/local dailies, websites, and direct counseling at educational institutions. Candidate lists may also be provided by the Department of Social Welfare, Department of SC/ST Development, Department of Women and Child Development, or local employment exchanges.

   • Registration will be conducted online on a first-come, first-served basis through the web portal. Admission to any course will be granted only after due shortlisting and scrutiny.

   • Course registration openings will be announced well in advance on the NIELIT portal.

   • A three-member selection committee—comprising two internal members and one representative from the Department of Social Welfare of the concerned State Government—will select candidates meeting minimum eligibility criteria, with merit-based selection for SC/ST candidates.

Online Examination Facility

• To address challenges faced by students and job seekers in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, state-of-the-art online examination facilities will be established at NIELIT Srinagar, Leh, and Kargil. These centers will feature high-end computers with the latest specifications to ensure smooth exam conduct. In collaboration with exam-conducting agencies, these centers will serve as official venues for state and central examinations—reducing the need for candidates to travel outside the region. Additionally, the facilities will host certification exams for emerging industries, supporting skill development and employability. NIELIT Srinagar, Leh, and Kargil will provide all necessary amenities, including furnished labs with CCTV surveillance, networking, power backup, internet connectivity, and furniture.

Upgradation of Labs

• There is an urgent need to upgrade existing labs at NIELIT Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, and Kargil, as they have not been modernized in years and cannot support current technological demands. With rapid evolution in IT, electronics, robotics, and engineering, modernizing these labs will enable integration of advanced tools and industry-standard equipment. This will provide students with hands-on experience, improve training relevance, align with industry trends, and enhance employability—contributing to the socio-economic growth of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

Assessment & Certification

• Examinations will be conducted uniformly across all Skill Development Centers to ensure consistent competency standards. Post-training assessment will be carried out by NIELIT HQ’s Exam Wing per defined guidelines. Successful candidates in the NSQF examination will receive NSQF certificates as per NIELIT’s standard procedure. All participants will receive a participation certificate issued by their respective NIELIT Centre upon course completion.

Job Readiness Assessment Program

• The project includes a Job Readiness Assessment Program designed to equip candidates with the knowledge, values, and practical skills needed to secure, retain, and advance in employment. The program features online assessments including: Aptitude Tests, Communication and Language Proficiency Tests, Group Discussions (GD), Personal Interviews (PI), Psychometric Assessments, Simulated Mock Tests, and 1:1 online mentorship. It will be delivered in collaboration with ICTA-JK and other industry partners.

Placement, Employment & Entrepreneurship

• NIELIT J&K and Leh operate a dedicated Skill Development & Placement Cell responsible for placing institute graduates. The cell regularly organizes campus/off-campus placement drives and Rojgar Melas, working closely with Sub-Regional Employment Officers and State Employment Exchanges to connect candidates with employers. This cell will support placements for trainees under this project and continue building industry linkages.

• Under the National Career Service (NCS) Project, a Model Career Centre (MCC) has been established at NIELIT Srinagar to connect local youth with nearby job opportunities. The MCC also conducts outreach and counseling for job seekers and will be leveraged to place project-trained candidates.

• The following MoUs and collaborations will facilitate placements:

  • Collaboration with ICTA-JK for placements in the local IT industry
  • MoU with Siddhi Infonet
  • MoU with Digital Mind Technologies
  • MoU with Erekrut
  • Collaboration with Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and MSME Development Forum for placement and entrepreneurship opportunities

Monitoring and Tracking

The Head of Institute / Director / Director In-Charge of NIELIT J&K will serve as the Chief Investigator for effective project monitoring. Tracking will be managed through a centralized MIS system, with regular uploads of project data to evaluate targets achieved and financial utilization. Key MIS reports include:

• Summary of targets set vs. achieved
• Category-wise number of candidates trained
• Statement of expenditure incurred
• List of strategic, policy, and operational issues for discussion
• Mid-Term Evaluation Report
• Physical and Online Inspection Reports

Sustainability

1. Infrastructure augmentation will ensure project sustainability. Upgraded labs will support new NSQF courses in relevant domains. Additionally, the Job Readiness Assessment Program and skill examination labs will continue to be used for recruitment examinations and future training initiatives.