UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 2025 22nd August

UPSC DAW Mains Answer Writing 2025 22nd August

Question

Despite extensive institutional coverage, India’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system continues to suffer from low enrolment, outdated curricula, and modest employment outcomes. Analyse the structural challenges underlying this scenario and suggest reforms that India can adopt from successful international models to make VET an effective pathway to employability. (10 marks, 150 words)

Model Answer

Introduction:  

  • India’s demographic dividend (median age at around 28 years as per UN World Population Prospects, 2022) demands urgent investments in human capital. Yet only 4.4% of India’s youth (15-29 years) had received formal vocational training as per Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), 2022–23, compared to 52% in the USA, 68% in the UK, and over 75% in Germany (ILO, 2021). 

 Structural Challenges in India’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system: 

  • Late Integration of VET in Education System: VET in India begins post–secondary schooling, unlike Germany’s dual system where students enter apprenticeships at upper-secondary level (OECD Skills Strategy, 2019). This shortens training duration and excludes orientation at school stage. 

  • Weak Academic Progression & Credit Framework: There is no seamless pathway from vocational to higher education. National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 and the National Credit Framework (2022) propose integration, but implementation is patchy. 

  • Perception and Quality Deficits: Outdated curricula misaligned with industry demand, for example, ITI syllabi is revised infrequently and One-third of instructor posts vacant in ITIs. 

  • Limited Industry Participation & Public–Private Partnerships: In India, ITIs are largely government-funded with minimal private sector involvement. 

  • Funding Constraints: India spends around 3% of total education expenditure on vocational training, compared to 10-13% in countries like Germany, Singapore, Canada. 

 Reforms and Global Best Practices for India: 

  • Early Integration of VET: Implement NEP 2020 recommendation of introducing vocational education from Class 6 onwards, with hands-on internships (MoE, NEP 2020) and Adapt Germany’s dual model of classroom + apprenticeship with employer involvement. 

  • Pathways & Credit Transfer: Operationalise the National Credit Framework (2022) to enable mobility between vocational and general education. Establish a National Vocational Qualification Board for recognition, akin to Singapore’s SkillsFuture framework. 

  • Industry-Aligned, Dynamic Curriculum: Continuous curriculum updates via employer feedback and SSC inputs. Expansion of National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and fast-tracking instructor recruitment. 

  • Strengthening PPPs & MSME Engagement: Scale the Private Training Partner (PTP) approach by leveraging government infrastructure and private expertise. Replicate Canada’s Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit model. 

  • Financing & Autonomy: Raise vocational education share to at least 8–10% of education spending (aligned with OECD benchmarks) and link ITI funding to outcomes (placement rates, etc). 

  • Lifelong Learning & Upskilling: Adopt Singapore’s SkillsFuture model, offering subsidies for lifelong skilling. Also, use Digital Ecosystem for Skilling and Livelihood (DESH-Stack e-portal) announced in Union Budget 2022–23 to facilitate continuous reskilling. 

 Conclusion:  

  • India’s VET system is at a crossroads. While institutional coverage is large, structural challenges hinder its effectiveness. Drawing from international best practices, India must reposition vocational training as a credible, aspirational pathway to jobs. A reimagined VET ecosystem can transform India’s demographic dividend into a powerhouse of productivity, thereby advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.