Pune, January 18, 2026 — The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will organise a two day Jan Shikshan Sansthan zonal conference cum stakeholder consultation and progress review workshop in Pune on January 19 and 20, 2026. The event will be held at the Auditorium Hall of Symbiosis Skill and Professional University in Maharashtra.
The conference will bring together representatives from 152 Jan Shikshan Sansthans across 11 States and Union Territories, along with officials from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the Directorate of Jan Shikshan Sansthan, the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development and other key stakeholders involved in community based skilling initiatives.
The Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme is a central sector scheme implemented through non governmental organisations with a focus on non formal vocational training for non literate and neo literate individuals, school dropouts and marginalised sections of society. The scheme places special emphasis on women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and other disadvantaged groups. At present, 294 Jan Shikshan Sansthans are operational across 26 States and 7 Union Territories, offering skill training in 51 courses aligned with the National Skills Qualification Framework and supporting livelihood creation at the grassroots level.
As of December 31, 2025, the scheme has trained more than 34 lakh beneficiaries, including 28.3 lakh women, underscoring its strong focus on women led development. Training is largely delivered at the doorstep through sub centres, particularly in aspirational districts, tribal regions, left wing extremism affected areas, and border and remote locations.
The Pune conference will serve as a key institutional platform to review the physical and financial progress of participating Jan Shikshan Sansthans during the financial year 2025–26. It will also facilitate structured stakeholder consultations on policy matters, guideline refinements and implementation challenges. Capacity building of Jan Shikshan Sansthan functionaries in employability skills, entrepreneurship development, livelihood promotion, credit linkages and financial management will be a major focus area.
In addition, the conference will identify demand driven and emerging skill areas, including the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools in programme implementation. The agenda includes thematic capacity building sessions, an exposure visit to modern skill laboratories at Symbiosis Skill and Professional University, and a product exhibition showcasing best practices and locally developed products by Jan Shikshan Sansthans.
A valedictory session on January 20, 2026 will be addressed by senior officials of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, including the Secretary of the Ministry. During the session, key outcomes and recommendations of the conference will be consolidated to inform future strengthening of the Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme.
The zonal conference is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness, quality and outreach of community based skilling initiatives, aligned with the Government of India’s vision of inclusive growth and a skilled and self reliant Bharat.
