The Coordinators' Conclave-cum-Meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the First Year of Phase III (2025–30) under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative was successfully organized by the CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad, in association with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, on 06–07 August 2026 at CSIR-NCL, Pune. The two-day conclave served as a significant platform for reviewing the progress made during the first year of Phase III of the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative, facilitating knowledge exchange among participating laboratories, and strengthening collaborative efforts for the effective implementation of the programme.

The programme commenced with an inaugural session featuring the ceremonial welcome of dignitaries and participants, followed by the traditional lamp-lighting ceremony. Dr Rajesh G. Gonnade, Scientist-G, CSIR-NCL, welcomed the gathering and set the stage for the discussions by emphasizing the importance of collaboration, innovation and skill development in achieving the objectives of the meeting. Dr. Vinay Kumar, Scientist-G and Skill Nodal Principal Investigator, CSIR-HRDC, presented the objectives of the conclave and provided a brief overview of the remarkable progress achieved under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative during 2025–26. He highlighted the vision of CSIR integrated Skill Initiative’s pivotal role in creating a nationwide skill development ecosystem for nurturing industry-ready talent to build a technology-driven workforce. Dr. Abhishek Kumar, Scientist-F, CSIR-Central Planning Directorate (CPD) highlighted the significant achievements of the initiative and the policy interventions undertaken during the year. Dr. T. S. Rana, Head, CSIR-HRDC, Ghaziabad emphasized CSIR's commitment to transforming knowledge into digitally enabled, experiential, and innovation-driven solutions for skill development.

Dr. Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam, Director, Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT), Gurugram, and Chairman of the Monitoring Committee underscored that skill development is an integral part of nation-building and outlined five key priority pillars to guide the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative towards building a robust, future-ready, and industry-aligned skill development ecosystem. Dr. Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL, Pune emphasized that that CSIR is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful contribution to the Skill India Mission by leveraging its extensive nationwide laboratory network and scientific expertise to help position India as a global hub for skilled talent.

A major highlight of the conclave was the comprehensive review of the annual progress achieved during 2025–26 under Phase III of the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative. Throughout the first day, Skill Nodal Coordinators from all 37 participating CSIR laboratories presented their annual progress reports, highlighting the programmes conducted, trainee outreach, innovative initiatives, challenges encountered, and future action plans. These presentations enabled the Monitoring Committee, comprising Dr. Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam, Director, IPFT, and Chairman of the Monitoring Committee; Shri N. Ramesh Babu, Director, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE); Ms. Anju Bajaj, Joint Secretary, Delhi Productivity Council; Dr. Arvind Kumar, Professor and Chairperson, J. C. Bose University of Science and Technology; and Mr. Anshul Saxena, Vice President, Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC), to comprehensively assess the implementation status across laboratories while providing an excellent opportunity for sharing best practices and successful models of skill development. The day concluded with an in-depth review and discussion by the Monitoring Committee who appreciated the progress made and offered constructive recommendations to enhance the quality, effectiveness, outreach and long-term impact of the programme.

The second day featured two technical sessions. Mr. Anshul Saxena, Vice President, LSSSDC, discussed opportunities for collaboration between CSIR and the Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council to strengthen industry-academia partnerships, enhance employability, and align skill development programmes with industry needs. This was followed by a session by Dr. Abhishek Kumar, Scientist-F, CSIR-Central Planning Directorate (CPD), on project planning and budget management, focusing on effective planning, financial resource optimization, monitoring, and efficient implementation of skill development initiatives.

The programme ended with a valedictory session featuring an open discussion during which Skill Nodal Officers shared their experiences and suggestions for further strengthening the initiative. The conclave successfully reinforced coordination among CSIR laboratories, provided a comprehensive review of the achievements during the first year of Phase III of the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative, and identified key strategies for enhancing the reach, quality, and impact of the programme. The deliberations and recommendations emerging from the meeting are expected to further strengthen the implementation of the initiative and contribute significantly towards developing a highly skilled scientific and technical workforce for the nation.

*****

NKR/AK/NM

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2296442) आगंतुक पटल : 353