Maharashtra Approves New Mumbai Skill University and Rs 4,000-Crore ITI Modernization

On Thursday, the Maharashtra State Government approved the establishment of a new private skill university in Mumbai and greenlit a Rs 4,000-crore modernization plan for Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state. Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha presented the Maharashtra Private Skill Universities (Establishment and Regulation) Second Amendment Bill, 2026 in the Legislative Council to initiate these sweeping reforms to the state's vocational education ecosystem.

The newly announced initiatives aim to align Maharashtra's vocational education with rapidly changing industry requirements. During the presentation, Minister Lodha emphasized that the reforms are designed to ensure that private sector participation in education does not lead to commercialization. As part of the broader strategy, the state government has also set an ambitious target of placing one lakh young Maharashtrians in overseas jobs.

A major highlight of the reform is the approval granted to the 108-year-old Indian Education Society (IES) to establish a new private Skill University in Mumbai. This university is slated to offer highly specialized, industry-focused programs in modern professional fields. Students will be able to enroll in courses such as architecture, digital marketing, fintech, sports analytics, drone technology, and public policy, reflecting the shifting demands of the job market.

In addition to the university, the government's Rs 4,000-crore plan to modernize ITIs will receive financial and technical assistance from international institutions, specifically the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

This funding will be utilized to upgrade existing training infrastructure across the state's ITIs. It will also fund the introduction of new-age courses in emerging sectors, including electric vehicles, solar technology, and drone operations, to better prepare students for modern technical careers.

To ensure the successful implementation of these upgrades across various districts, the state government has also partnered with the Tata Group. The Tata Group will assist in upgrading technical education and training programs to meet current industry standards.