MoU Signed Between Ministry of Rural Development and National RUDSETI Academy to Strengthen Rural Skill Development

On 12 October 2026, the Ministry of Rural Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National RUDSETI Academy (NAR Academy). The purpose of the agreement was to strengthen training standards and institutional capacity.

The MoU was exchanged between Joint Secretary (Rural Skill) Shri S. Shashikumar, representing the Ministry, and Director General Shri Raju N. kori, representing the National RUDSETI Academy. The event was reported by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Delhi and documented in a press release dated 12 OCT 2026.

• ✓The MoU was signed on 12 October 2026.
• ✓The agreement was exchanged between senior officials from the Ministry and the Academy.
• ✓Secretary (Rural Development) Shri Rohit Kansal was present at the signing ceremony.

The Ministry of Rural Development has set a target of training 6. 35 lakh rural youth through Rural Self-Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) for the current year. This target includes women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), persons with disabilities (PwD), and other weaker sections.

The press release states that the 6. 35 lakh target for the current year exceeds the previous year's target, indicating an increase in the scale of rural skill development efforts.

• ✓The current year's training target is 6. 35 lakh rural youth.
• ✓The target covers women, SC/ST, PwD, and other weaker sections.
• ✓The current target is higher than the previous year's fixed target.

A key objective of the MoU is to improve candidate registration through the skill registry and enhance face authentication using the AEBAS system. These digital improvements aim to streamline the enrolment process and ensure more reliable identification of trainees.

The integration of these technologies is expected to increase the efficiency and transparency of the RSETI training ecosystem.

• ✓The MoU aims to improve candidate registration via the skill registry.
• ✓Face authentication will be enhanced through the AEBAS system.

The MoU includes the implementation of new-generation courses aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). It also provides for the adoption of industry-relevant training assistance and equipment.

Additionally, the agreement covers the delivery of Core Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) courses that have been notified by the Ministry of Rural Development.

• ✓New-generation courses will be aligned with the NSQF.
• ✓Industry-relevant training assistance and equipment will be adopted.
• ✓Core EDP courses notified by the Ministry will be delivered.

The partnership will strengthen the integrated portal kaushal. rural. gov. in. This platform will be used for Training of Trainers (ToT) assessment, certification of trainees and trainers, and compliance with ministry-notified general criteria.

By upgrading this single integrated portal, the Ministry aims to improve coordination, standardise assessment processes, and ensure that all participants meet the prescribed compliance requirements.

• ✓The integrated portal kaushal. rural. gov. in will be strengthened.
• ✓It will support ToT assessment, certification, and compliance.
• ✓The portal aims to improve coordination and standardise processes across RSETIs.

The initiative aims to strengthen the RSETI ecosystem and enhance rural skill development, entrepreneurship promotion, and livelihood generation.

The Ministry of Rural Development states that this effort aligns with its broader objectives of empowering rural communities through skill development, enterprise creation, and sustainable livelihoods.

• ✓The initiative strengthens the RSETI ecosystem.
• ✓It enhances rural skill development, entrepreneurship, and livelihood generation.
• ✓The programme aligns with the broader objectives of empowering rural communities.