MSDE to hold Jan Shikshan Sansthan zonal conference in Pune on January 19–20

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, will organise a two-day Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Zonal Conference-cum-Stakeholder Consultation and Progress Review Workshop on January 19 and 20, 2026 , at the Auditorium Hall of Symbiosis Skill and Professional University, Pune.

The conference will bring together representatives of 152 Jan Shikshan Sansthans from 11 States and Union Territories , along with officials from MSDE, the Directorate of Jan Shikshan Sansthan ( DJSS ), the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development ( NIESBUD ), and other key stakeholders involved in community-based skilling initiatives.

The Jan Shikshan Sansthan Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by MSDE through non-governmental organisations, aimed at providing non-formal vocational training to non-literate and neo-literate persons, school dropouts and marginalised sections of society. The scheme places special emphasis on women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minorities and other disadvantaged groups . At present, 294 JSSs are operational across 26 States and seven Union Territories , offering training in 51 National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned courses and supporting livelihood creation at the grassroots level.

As on December 31, 2025, the JSS Scheme has trained over 34 lakh beneficiaries nationwide, including 28.3 lakh women, underscoring its strong focus on women-led development. Training is largely delivered at the doorstep through sub-centres, particularly in aspirational districts, tribal regions, Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, and border and remote locations.

The Pune conference will serve as a key institutional platform to review the physical and financial performance of participating JSSs during the 2025–26 financial year, undertake structured stakeholder consultations on policy refinements and implementation challenges, and strengthen the capacities of JSS functionaries in employability skills, entrepreneurship development, livelihood promotion, credit linkages and financial management. It will also focus on identifying demand-driven and emerging skill areas, including the use of artificial intelligence and digital tools in programme implementation.

The conference is meant to ensure better quality training, improved livelihoods, efficient utilisation of government funds and wider outreach , with a strong focus on women and marginalised communities . It will help the government fine-tune the JSS scheme, expand job-oriented training at the grassroots and strengthen women-led and inclusive skill development across the country.

The event will feature thematic capacity-building sessions, an exposure visit to modern skill laboratories at Symbiosis Skill and Professional University, and a product exhibition showcasing best practices and locally developed JSS products.

The valedictory session on January 20 will be addressed by senior officials of the ministry, including MSDE Secretary Debashree Mukherjee, during which key outcomes and recommendations of the conference will be consolidated to guide the future strengthening of the JSS Scheme.

The zonal conference forms part of MSDE’s ongoing efforts to enhance the effectiveness, quality and outreach of community-based skilling initiatives, in alignment with the Government of India’s vision of inclusive growth and a skilled, self-reliant Bharat.