The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, held the first meeting of SARTHI — the Strategic Advisory and Reform Task force for comprehensive transformation of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) — at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi on 12 June 2026. The meeting was chaired by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education. SARTHI has been established as an apex advisory forum under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) to build systematic engagement among stakeholders and support evidence-based policy deliberations for strengthening ITIs across the country. Ministers from several states participated in the deliberations, including Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, the Rajasthan government's Minister for Industries and Commerce, Information Technology and Communication, Youth Affairs and Sports, Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship and Sainik Welfare. Ministers from Gujarat, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh also took part. Addressing the meeting, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said SARTHI reflects a collective commitment to reimagine vocational education and build an ITI ecosystem that is more dynamic, inspiring and aligned with the opportunities of a changing India. The members deliberated on a wide range of themes aimed at strengthening the quality, access and effectiveness of the ITI ecosystem, including improving institutional performance and quality assurance, strengthening assessment processes, leveraging technology for efficiency and transparency, increasing women's participation in vocational education, and building stronger pathways between education, skilling and employment. Senior officials of MSDE, DGT, NCVET, NSDC, UGC and skill universities also attended.