MSDE names 19 institutes as Centres of Excellence in skills, valid till 2029
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) on 2 November 2026 recognised 19 institutes as Centres of Excellence (CoE-Skills). The recognition is valid from 9 October 2026 to 8 October 2029, and these centres can be used for government, state and industry skill programmes.
What this means for you
Ordinary readers have no form to fill or application to make because of this decision. It affects the institutes that are now recognised centres. If you are thinking of joining a course or training, details of training run through these centres will have to be checked with the institute concerned.
Key facts
- 19 institutes recognised as Centres of Excellence (CoE-Skills)
- Recognition valid from 9 October 2026 to 8 October 2029
- Certificates given on 2 November 2026 at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi
- Institutes were panelised through a green channel, with applications placed directly before the executive committee
- The guidelines were unveiled on 15 July 2026 on World Youth Skills Day
- The list includes institutes in Lucknow (CIPET: IPT) and Bhopal (Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park)
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has recognised 19 institutes as Centres of Excellence (CoE-Skills). MSDE Secretary Smt. Debashree Mukherjee gave the recognition certificates to these institutes at a ceremony at Kaushal Bhawan in New Delhi on 2 November 2026.
What has changed
The institutes were panelised through a green channel under the guidelines for panelisation of Centres of Excellence and vocational training centres. The green channel is a faster route for eligible institutes with an established reputation — such as institutes of national importance, ITIs upgraded under PM-Setu, and centres run or panelised by central ministries, departments or state governments. Under this arrangement, institutes submit the required information and their applications are placed directly before the executive committee, without enrolment or a regular assessment process.
The guidelines were unveiled on 15 July 2026 at Kaushal Bhawan during the World Youth Skills Day event. Their aim is to strengthen the skilling ecosystem through training institutes backed by modern infrastructure, technology and strong partnerships with industry.
Who benefits
A Centre of Excellence is conceived as a permanent, advanced and sector-specific training centre that can provide high-quality, industry-relevant and outcome-focused skill training. Such centres can take up advanced and technology-enabled training, assessment, guidance and career counselling, training of trainers and assessors, industry engagement, and tracking of post-training outcomes.
According to the ministry, the panelised centres can be used for skill development initiatives of MSDE, other central ministries, state governments, industry, CSR initiatives and other stakeholders, subject to the guidelines of the applicable programme.
Which institutes are on the list
The list covers institutes from different sectors. In renewable energy, it includes the Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy at IIT Roorkee, the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram, the National Institute of Wind Energy in Chennai and Kayathar, and the Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Renewable Energy in Kapurthala. In chemicals and petrochemicals, there are five CIPET institutes, including one in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
In the multi-sectoral category are the Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the World Skill Center in Bhubaneswar and the Institute of Advanced Defence Technology in Pune. Institutes in construction, iron and steel, marine engineering, tourism and hospitality, and agriculture have also been recognised.
What happens next
The recognition is valid from 9 October 2026 to 8 October 2029. The ministry says this will help promote reliable, industry-relevant skill training across the country. The release does not give any separate application process or date for students; admission-related details will have to be checked with the institute concerned.
Questions and answers
What is a Centre of Excellence (CoE-Skills)?
It is a permanent, advanced and sector-specific training centre that can provide high-quality, industry-relevant skill training. Such centres can handle training, assessment, career counselling and training of trainers.
Which institutes have been recognised?
The list has 19 institutes across renewable energy, chemicals and petrochemicals, construction, iron and steel, marine engineering, tourism and hospitality, agriculture and multi-sectoral areas. Names include IIT Roorkee, the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram, CIPET Lucknow and the Sant Shiromani Ravidas Global Skill Park in Bhopal.
How long is the recognition valid?
The recognition is valid from 9 October 2026 to 8 October 2029. The certificates were given on 2 November 2026.
Do students need to apply for this?
No, the recognition is given to institutes, not students. The release does not mention any application or registration process for students.
What is the green channel?
It is a faster route for eligible institutes with an established reputation, such as institutes of national importance, ITIs upgraded under PM-Setu, and centres run or panelised by the government. Under it, institutes submit the required information and applications go directly to the executive committee without enrolment or regular assessment.
Source: PIB, "एमएसडीई ने 19 संस्थानों को कौशल उत्कृष्टता केंद्रों के रूप में पैनलबद्ध किया", 2 November 2026. Read the original notice
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