PM Modi launched ₹62,000 crore education and skill projects focusing on Bihar, including the PM Setu Scheme and Karpoori Thakur Skill University, to boost youth empowerment, job creation, and educational growth ahead of state elections.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a host of education and skill development initiatives worth over ₹62,000 crore, placing a strong emphasis on Bihar’s growing importance in India’s youth empowerment and employment strategy. The initiatives, announced during the Skill Convocation Ceremony in New Delhi, aim to link technical education with industry needs, enhance skill infrastructure, and create new employment opportunities for the younger generation.
Among the major announcements were two flagship projects — the ₹60,000 crore PM Setu Scheme, designed to connect Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) directly with industries, and the establishment of 1,200 new skill labs across Navodaya Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Schools nationwide. PM Modi described these steps as part of his government’s mission to make India the “Skill Capital of the World.”
Skill University in Bihar Named After Karpoori Thakur
A key highlight of the announcements was the establishment of a new Skill University in Bihar, named after Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur, a legendary socialist leader and former Chief Minister of the state. PM Modi said the university would carry forward Thakur’s vision of social justice and empowerment through education and skill development.
“Karpoori Thakur dedicated his life to uplifting the weaker sections of society. The Skill University in his name will further that mission,” the Prime Minister said, urging citizens to stay vigilant against those “who try to appropriate his legacy for political gain.”
Bihar’s Rapid Educational Growth Under NDA
PM Modi highlighted the remarkable transformation of Bihar’s education sector under the NDA government. He cited the expansion of key higher education institutions such as IIT Patna, NIT Patna, Patna University, Bhupendra Mandal University, Jaiprakash University (Chhapra) and Nalanda Open University.
He also pointed out that scholarships under the Chief Minister Boys and Girls Scheme have been doubled, while loans under the Student Credit Card Scheme have been made interest-free, easing the financial burden on students pursuing higher education.
Employment Generation and Economic Progress
Taking a pointed dig at the RJD, PM Modi remarked, “Reviving a tree whose roots were eaten by worms is a great feat. RJD’s misrule left Bihar in ruins, but under Nitish Kumar’s leadership, the NDA has revived the state.”
Highlighting the NDA government’s record in job creation, PM Modi said that over 50 lakh youths have secured employment in Bihar in the past two decades. Of these, 10 lakh were given permanent government jobs in recent years, including 2.5 lakh teachers appointed in the last two years alone. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, he said, has set a goal to double job creation over the next five years.
The Prime Minister linked these employment efforts to recent economic relief measures, noting that the reduction of GST on bikes and scooters had brought cheer to Bihar’s youth ahead of the festive season.
“India was once counted among the ‘Fragile Five,’ but today it stands among the world’s top three economies,” PM Modi declared. “When the youth of Bihar gain strength, the strength of the nation also grows.”
A Nationwide Skill Movement
The grand event was attended by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh, Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, along with JDU working president Sanjay Jha. Thousands of students from Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), teachers, and youth across the country joined the ceremony virtually.
| Also Read: PM-SETU: PM Modi’s ₹60,000 cr initiative to Transform ITIs across India |
PM Modi concluded by affirming that the newly launched projects will lay the foundation for a more skilled, self-reliant, and future-ready India, with Bihar serving as a model for youth-led development.
“The youth are the architects of tomorrow’s India,” he said. “Through education, skill, and opportunity, we are preparing them to build a stronger, more prosperous nation.”
