Coordinators' Conclave-cum-Meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the First Year of Phase III (2025–30) under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative

What happened: Monitoring Committee review for Phase III (2025–30) at CSIR-NCL, Pune

CSIR-Human Resource Development Centre (CSIR-HRDC), Ghaziabad organised the Coordinators’ Conclave-cum-Meeting of the Monitoring Committee for the first year of Phase III (2025–30) under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative. The meeting took place on 06–07 August 2026 at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, with CSIR-NCL as the associated host.

The meeting served as a structured platform to review the progress made during the first year of Phase III for 2025–26, enable knowledge exchange among participating CSIR laboratories, and strengthen collaboration for effective programme implementation.

In the inaugural session, Dr. Rajesh G. Gonnade (Scientist-G, CSIR-NCL) welcomed participants and emphasised collaboration, innovation, and skill development. Dr. Vinay Kumar (Scientist-G and Skill Nodal Principal Investigator, CSIR-HRDC) presented the objectives of the conclave and an overview of progress during 2025–26. Dr. Abhishek Kumar (Scientist-F, CSIR-Central Planning Directorate (CSIR-CPD)) highlighted achievements and policy interventions during the year. Dr. T. S. Rana (Head, CSIR-HRDC) emphasised CSIR’s commitment to digitally enabled, experiential, and innovation-driven solutions for skill development. Dr. Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam (Director, Institute of Pesticide Formulation Technology (IPFT), Gurugram; Chairman of the Monitoring Committee) outlined five priority pillars for guiding the initiative. Dr. Ashish Lele (Director, CSIR-NCL) stressed that CSIR can leverage its nationwide laboratory network and scientific expertise to support India’s skill development goals.

A major part of the conclave involved a comprehensive review of annual progress achieved during 2025–26 under Phase III. Skill Nodal Coordinators from 37 participating CSIR laboratories presented annual progress reports, including details on programmes conducted, trainee outreach, innovative initiatives, challenges, and future action plans.

The Monitoring Committee assessed implementation status across laboratories and enabled sharing of best practices and successful skilling models. The Monitoring Committee comprised Dr. Mohana Krishna Reddy Mudiam (Director, IPFT, Gurugram; Chairman of the Monitoring Committee), Shri N. Ramesh Babu (Director, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship), Ms. Anju Bajaj (Joint Secretary, Delhi Productivity Council), Dr. Arvind Kumar (Professor and Chairperson, J. C. Bose University of Science and Technology), and Mr. Anshul Saxena (Vice President, Life Sciences Sector Skill Development Council (LSSSDC)).