Content

1. Setting up Five National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) for Skilling
2. India’s Green Maritime Odyssey

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Setting up Five National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) for Skilling

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Why is this in News?

• Lok Sabha written reply (15 Dec 2025) by MoS (IC) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship.
• Cabinet approval (07 May 2025) for five National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs) announced in Budget 2025–26.
• Marks a shift from generic skilling to sector-specific, industry-led, globally benchmarked training under PM-SETU.

Relevance : GS II – Governance, Social Justice

• Government policies & interventions: PM-SETU scheme; Budget 2025–26 announcement.
• Institutional reforms: Shift from state-controlled ITIs to industry-led governance (IMC model).
• Cooperative federalism: Centre–State–Industry partnership in skilling.
• Role of international cooperation: India–Singapore collaboration in advanced manufacturing.
• Capacity building: Strengthening public institutions (NSTIs) for service delivery.

What are National Centres of Excellence (NCoEs)?

• High-end skilling institutions embedded within select National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs).
• Focus on:
  • Advanced, future-ready skills.
  • Deep industry integration.
  • Global best practices and certifications.
• Act as hubs for training, curriculum innovation, and trainer upskilling.

Institutional Framework: PM-SETU Scheme

• PM Skilling and Employability through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU).
• Objective:
  • Modernise ITIs.
  • Improve employability.
  • Align skills with Industry 4.0 requirements.
• Two components:
  • Component I: Upgradation of 1,000 Government ITIs (Hub-and-Spoke).
  • Component II: Establishment of National Centres of Excellence.

Approved NCoEs: Location & Rationale

• Bhubaneswar (Odisha)
• Chennai (Tamil Nadu)
• Hyderabad (Telangana)
• Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh)
• Ludhiana (Punjab)

Selection criteria:

• Adequate land area.
• Trade diversity.
• Existing training capacity.
• Scope for expansion.
• Availability of qualified faculty.

Regional logic:

• Covers east, south, north, and industrial belts.
• Aligns skilling with regional economic specialisation.

Sectoral & Global Partnerships

• Global partnership with Singapore finalised.
  • MoU signed for Advanced Manufacturing NCoE at NSTI Chennai.
• Expression of Interest (EoI) floated to onboard Lead Industry Partners for all five NCoEs.
• Reflects dual-track model:
  • Global benchmarking.
  • Domestic industry anchoring.

Governance Model: Institute Management Committee (IMC)

• Chairperson: Nominated by Lead Industry Partner.
• Central Government nominees: DGT/MSDE.
• State Government nominee: Host state.
• Industry experts: Technical and financial contributors.
• Director of NSTI: Ex-officio Member Secretary.
• Industry Associations: FICCI, CII, SSCs, regional bodies.
• Academia representatives.

Size: 9–15 members (flexible).

Significance:

• Breaks traditional government-only control.
• Ensures industry-driven curriculum, assessment, and placement.

Role & Functions of NCoEs

• Design and deliver industry-aligned training programs.
• Continuous curriculum upgradation.
• Trainer capacity building.
• Facilitate apprenticeships and placements.
• Serve as knowledge hubs for surrounding ITIs.

Component I: Hub-and-Spoke ITI Upgradation

• 1,000 Government ITIs to be upgraded.
• Industry collaboration mandatory.
• States given flexibility to:
  • Propose sector-specific skill centres.
  • Align skilling with local economic needs.
• Examples:
  • Agriculture, food processing, dairy.
  • Region-specific focus like Seemanchal–Kosi (Bihar).

Why is this Reform Significant?

Addressing Structural Skill Gaps

• India faces:
  • Low formal skilling rate (~5–6%).
  • Mismatch between training and industry demand.
• NCoEs target quality, not just quantity.

Industry 4.0 Readiness

• Focus on advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
• Supports Make in India, PLI-led manufacturing expansion.

Federal & Cooperative Approach

• Centre–State–Industry collaboration.
• Regional customisation within national framework.

Global Benchmarking

• Singapore partnership brings:
  • Modular curricula.
  • Competency-based certification.
  • Strong industry linkage models.

Challenges & Concerns

• Sustaining industry interest beyond initial phase.
• Ensuring uniform quality across centres.
• Avoiding regional imbalance in access.
• Measurable outcomes: placement quality, wage premiums.

Prelims Pointers

• NCoEs approved under Component II of PM-SETU.
• Five locations: Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, Ludhiana.
• Global partner: Singapore (Advanced Manufacturing, Chennai).
• IMC chaired by Lead Industry Partner nominee.
• Component I targets 1,000 ITIs via Hub-and-Spoke model.

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India’s Green Maritime Odyssey

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Why is this in News?

• PIB release (15 Dec 2025) outlining India’s green maritime transition.
• Links Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030, Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Sagarmala, Green Hydrogen Mission, and Indian Ports Bill, 2025 into a single sustainability narrative.
• Signals India’s intent to emerge as a global green maritime power, not just a logistics hub.

Relevance : GS III – Infrastructure, Economy, Environment

• Infrastructure development:
  • Ports, coastal shipping, inland waterways (Sagarmala).
• Green growth & decarbonisation:
  • Green hydrogen, LNG, methanol, electric port equipment.
• Energy transition:
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission (hard-to-abate sector).
• Blue Economy:
  • Sustainable use of marine resources.
  • Coastal livelihoods and ecosystem protection.
• Climate change mitigation:
  • Emission reduction in shipping and ports.
• Logistics & competitiveness:
  • Reduced turnaround time, lower logistics cost.
• Technology & innovation:
  • Smart ports, digital corridors, shore-to-ship power.

What is “Green Maritime”?

• Integration of economic efficiency + environmental sustainability + social responsibility in ports and shipping.
• Covers:
  • Clean fuels and low-emission vessels.
  • Renewable-powered ports.
  • Marine ecosystem protection.
  • Climate-resilient and digitally smart maritime infrastructure.
• Aligned with IMO decarbonisation goals and UN SDGs (9 SDGs relevant to ports).

Context: Why Maritime Sustainability Matters for India

• Coastline: ~7,500 km with mangroves, reefs, lagoons, and dense coastal livelihoods.
• Maritime sector:
  • Backbone of trade and logistics.
  • Growing environmental footprint (emissions, oil spills, dredging).
• Challenge: Balance trade expansion with ocean health and coastal resilience.

Vision Framework: India’s Green Maritime Roadmap

1. Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030

• Blueprint for:
  • Greener ports.
  • Cleaner shipping.
  • Digital and efficient logistics.
• Projected investment: ₹3–3.5 lakh crore.
• Focus areas:
  • Port modernisation.
  • Inland waterways.
  • Shipbuilding and ship repair.
  • Green technologies.

2. Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047

• Long-term roadmap aligned with 100 years of Independence.
• Investment commitment: ~₹80 lakh crore.
• More than 300 actionable initiatives.
• Key thrusts:
  • Green shipping corridors.
  • Methanol, LNG, hydrogen-based vessels.
  • Smart and carbon-neutral ports.
  • Making India a top global shipbuilding nation.

Sagarmala Programme: Green Logistics Backbone

• Flagship port-led development programme.
• 840 projects worth ₹5.8 lakh crore by 2035.
  • 272 completed (₹1.41 lakh crore).
  • 217 under implementation (₹1.65 lakh crore).
• Objectives:
  • Reduce logistics cost.
  • Promote coastal shipping and inland waterways.
  • Generate employment.
• Acts as the execution arm of MIV 2030 and Vision 2047.

Clean Fuels & Energy Transition in Maritime Sector

National Green Hydrogen Mission

• Target by 2030:
  • 5 million tonnes/year green hydrogen.
  • ₹8 lakh crore investment.
  • 6 lakh jobs.
  • ₹1 lakh crore fossil fuel import savings.
• Identified Green Hydrogen Port Hubs:
  • Kandla
  • Paradip
  • Tuticorin
• Supports zero-emission shipping fuels: hydrogen, ammonia, methanol.

India’s Green Port Initiatives (Supply-Side Decarbonisation)

Renewable Energy at Ports

• Solar:
  • Rooftop PV on warehouses and offices.
  • Floating solar on calm port waters.
• Wind:
  • Onshore wind on port land, breakwaters.
  • Offshore wind near Okha, southern peninsula, Kutch salt fields.
• Tidal energy:
  • Pilot in Gulf of Cambay/Kutch (8,000–12,000 MW potential).
• Wave & solar thermal:
  • OWC wave energy pilots (Vizhinjam model).

Flagship Green Maritime Programmes

Harit Sagar – Green Port Guidelines (2023)

• Framework for:
  • Carbon neutrality.
  • Zero ecological disturbance.
• Promotes:
  • Sustainable materials.
  • Cleaner technologies.
  • Ecosystem-sensitive port expansion.

Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP), 2024

• Transition from diesel harbour tugs to green alternatives.
• Part of Panch Karma Sankalp.
• Government support: 30% financial assistance.
• Ports procuring green tugs:
  • JNPA
  • VO Chidambaranar
  • Paradip
  • Deendayal
• Aligns with Make in India and maritime manufacturing.

Harit Nauka (Green Vessel) Initiative

• Promotes greener inland waterway vessels.
• Targets emissions reduction in riverine transport.

Coastal Green Shipping Corridor

• First corridor: Kandla–Tuticorin.
• Partners:
  • SCI
  • Deendayal Port Authority
  • VO Chidambaranar Port Authority.
• Pilot for low-emission coastal shipping.

Cleaner Ports: Demand-Side & Operational Reforms

Vehicle & Equipment Electrification

• Target: 50% port vehicles on clean fuels by 2030.
• Two-phase electrification:
  • Phase I: Ship–shore cranes.
  • Phase II: RTGCs, reach stackers, forklifts, yard equipment.

Shore-to-Ship Power

• Ships at berth draw electricity from shore.
• Cuts emissions from onboard diesel generators.

LNG Bunkering

• LNG advantages:
  • 80% lower CO₂, PM, NOx than diesel.
  • Sulphur ≤0.5% (IMO compliant).
  • 40–50% cheaper than diesel.
• India promoting LNG bunkering awareness and infrastructure.

Dust & Air Emission Control

• Diesel usage: 500–5,000 KL per port annually.
• Measures:
  • Covered storage.
  • Mechanised handling.
  • Emission monitoring (towards automation).

Green Belts

• MoEF&CC mandate: 33% green cover.
• Benefits:
  • Carbon absorption.
  • Noise and dust reduction.
  • Biodiversity and groundwater recharge.
• Challenge: Land scarcity at ports.

Indian Ports Bill, 2025: Legal Backbone

• Replaces outdated Indian Ports Act, 1908.
• Mandates:
  • Global green norms.
  • Disaster and oil-spill readiness.
• Context:
  • Cargo handling: 855 MT (FY 2024–25).
  • Port capacity: +87% since 2014–15.
  • Turnaround time reduced to 48 hours.
  • 9 Indian ports in World Bank CPPI.
• Marks shift from regulatory lag to global leadership.

Global Green Maritime Diplomacy

Sagarmanthan Dialogue

• Global platform on:
  • Blue economy.
  • Green logistics.
  • Sustainable supply chains.

India–Singapore Green & Digital Shipping Corridor

• Accelerates:
  • Low-emission technologies.
  • Digital maritime tools.
  • Smart port operations.

Green Shipping Conclave

• Focus on:
  • GTTP.
  • Harit Nauka.
  • Sustainable ship recycling (Alang).

Marine Pollution & Oil Spill Preparedness

• Robust oil-spill response plans.
• Satellite-based monitoring.
• Oil sensitivity mapping.
• Priority to mangroves, corals, aquaculture zones.
• Coordination with Navy and coastal agencies.

Strategic Significance

Economic

• Lower logistics costs.
• Global competitiveness in shipping and ports.
• Job creation in green maritime technologies.

Environmental

• Decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sector.
• Marine biodiversity protection.
• Climate-resilient coastal infrastructure.

Geopolitical

• Positions India as:
  • Indo-Pacific maritime leader.
  • Norm-setter in green shipping.

Challenges

• High upfront cost of green fuels and vessels.
• Technology readiness (hydrogen, ammonia).
• Port land constraints for renewables and green belts.
• Coordination across Centre–State–Port Authorities.

Prelims Pointers

• MIV 2030 investment: ₹3–3.5 lakh crore.
• Vision 2047 investment: ~₹80 lakh crore.
• Sagarmala: 840 projects, ₹5.8 lakh crore.
• First Green Shipping Corridor: Kandla–Tuticorin.
• Ports Bill replaces 1908 law.