Uttar Pradesh to assess skill training providers on performance, set targets for future funding
Indiatimes February 23, 2026 09:42 PM
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a state‑wide evaluation of skill training providers registered with the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), scheduled to begin in March 2026. The exercise will review the performance of 1,712 training providers, including both government and private entities, based on a set of criteria that focuses on enrolment, course completion and placement records over the past three years.
Under the new system, providers will be graded on a 40‑point scale and placed in one of four categories: “A”, “B”, “C” and “D”. Those scoring between 36 and 40 points will be classified in the top grade, while scores below 25 will result in a “D” grade. The evaluation aims to provide a structured measure of how well training partners meet targets and support participants in gaining employment.
Officials have said that this grading will be linked to the allocation of future targets for the 2026‑27 financial year, with higher‑scoring organisations expected to receive more opportunities. Conversely, lower‑performing providers may be encouraged or required to improve their training outcomes before being assigned new targets.
Of the training providers under review, 493 are private organisations and 334 are operated by the government. Other participants include industrial training partners, organisations that focus on training people with disabilities, start‑ups and institutions that operate under central government schemes. The assessment will not include entities that have been debarred or blacklisted.
The government has framed the initiative as a way to strengthen accountability and transparency in the skill development sector. By tying grading to future engagements and target setting, the state hopes to encourage providers to prioritise quality training and measurable outcomes for trainees. While supporters of the approach say it could help improve employability and the effectiveness of training programs, some stakeholders may watch closely to see how the new evaluation affects smaller or specialised training organisations.
The move comes amid ongoing efforts by the state to link vocational training more closely to labour market outcomes and to ensure that schemes under the Skill Development Mission contribute meaningfully to employment prospects for younger residents.
