The Tamil Nadu government has decided to bring in new industry and training partners for the academic year 2026–27 as part of its “Naan Mudhalvan” upskilling program. This initiative aims to offer modern and job-focused courses in colleges across the state to enhance skill development among students in Engineering, Arts and Science, Polytechnic, and ITI programs. The “Naan Mudhalvan” scheme provides free skill development training linked to employment opportunities for youth aged 18–35, fully funded by the state government through the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC).
The government’s move is focused on aligning academic learning with the current demands of various industries to equip students with the necessary skills. Under this program, reputed industry bodies and prominent training partners will be engaged to deliver structured training sessions in educational institutions throughout Tamil Nadu. The selected partners will conduct in-person training sessions following a set academic schedule, with each course spanning 45 to 60 hours over a semester.
In addition to student training within colleges, the industry partners will also be responsible for training faculty members and offering industry-recognized certifications. They will organize Training of Trainers programs to ensure continuous development of faculty members and maintain quality assessment standards. All skill courses under the “Naan Mudhalvan” initiative will be integrated into university curricula as mandatory credit programs conducted during regular college hours, making skill development an essential part of academic advancement.
The chosen partners will need to provide detailed course structures, including defined learning outcomes, final test projects, industry use cases, learning materials, assessment plans, and evaluation rubrics, following the format and guidelines set by TNSDC to ensure consistency and measurable results. The government plans to introduce over 60 courses for engineering students, 38 courses for Arts and Science colleges, and 43 training programs for polytechnic institutions as part of this expanded initiative. Expressions of Interest (EoI) have been invited from industry and training partners to participate in the scheme, reflecting a strong commitment to boosting employability and bridging the gap between academia and industry in Tamil Nadu.
