₹5 crore allocated for student startup and innovation policy; new ITIs in Naxal-affected areas and major investments in technical education infrastructure
Published on: March 16, 2026
By: BTNI
Location: Raipur, India
The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly has passed the budget for the Department of Skill Development, Technical Education and Employment for the financial year 2026–27. Presenting the departmental budget during the ongoing Assembly session, State Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb said the government is committed to strengthening technical education, expanding skill development opportunities and creating better employment prospects for the youth.
The minister stated that agriculture, industry, education, services and technology are key sectors for the state’s economic growth. To accelerate development in these areas, the government is focusing on creating a skilled workforce equipped with modern technical knowledge and engineering expertise.
Focus on Expansion of Technical Education
Highlighting the growth of technical education in the state, the minister said that institutions across all 33 districts are contributing to skill and technical training. At present, the state has four Chhattisgarh Institutes of Technology, two government engineering colleges, the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology in Raipur, and a university teaching department under Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University in Bhilai, along with 20 private engineering colleges.
In the polytechnic sector, the state operates three CGIT polytechnics, 35 government polytechnics, one university teaching department and 14 private polytechnic institutions. Engineering colleges collectively offer 11,528 seats, while polytechnic institutes provide 8,408 seats.
The minister noted that the department’s budget has grown significantly from ₹265.49 crore in 2018 to ₹372.35 crore in 2026–27.
Infrastructure Development and New Institutions
To strengthen technical education infrastructure, the government has allocated ₹12.02 crore for establishing Chhattisgarh Institutes of Technology in districts including Raigarh, Jagdalpur, Kabirdham, Jashpur, Raipur, Durg and Bilaspur.
An additional ₹98 lakh has been earmarked for the purchase of machinery and equipment. Meanwhile, ₹2.5 crore has been allocated for constructing additional classrooms and renovating the auditorium at CGIT Raigarh.
The government has also provided a ₹15 crore establishment grant for the International Institute of Information Technology in Nava Raipur and ₹50 lakh for creating 18 new posts.
For infrastructure development at Chhattisgarh Swami Vivekanand Technical University, ₹10 crore has been allocated for the upcoming financial year as part of a ₹41.9 crore project.
Support for Students and Innovation
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To support economically weaker students pursuing higher education, the government will provide interest subsidies on education loans up to ₹4 lakh under the Chief Minister Higher Education Loan Interest Subsidy Scheme, with a budget provision of ₹5 crore.
Additionally, ₹5 crore has been allocated to implement the Student Startup and Innovation Policy, aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial ideas and innovation among students.
The state has also earmarked ₹30 crore as establishment grants and examination reimbursements for the Chhattisgarh Professional Examination Board in Raipur.
Expansion of ITIs and Employment Opportunities
The state currently operates 201 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and 113 private ITIs, offering nearly 61,000 training seats. In the academic year 2025–26, more than 76,000 applications were received for ITI admissions, reflecting increasing interest among youth in vocational training.
To expand access to technical education in remote and Naxal-affected areas, new ITIs will be established in Jagargunda and Orchha as part of the Education City initiative. A budget provision of ₹3 crore has been made for their establishment, staffing, hostels and building construction.
Furthermore, ₹25 crore has been allocated for providing modern machinery and tools in 145 government ITIs, while another ₹25 crore will be spent on construction and renovation works in 35 ITIs.
Skill Development and Livelihood Programs
The Chhattisgarh State Skill Development Authority will receive a budget allocation of ₹38 crore for 2026–27. Under the Chief Minister Skill Development Scheme, 4,91,543 youth have already been trained, of whom 2,72,754 have secured employment.
Currently, 366 training institutions are providing skill training in the state, offering 212 short-term courses in modern sectors.
The State Project Livelihood College Society has been allocated ₹33 crore for the upcoming financial year. So far, 67,118 youth have received training through this initiative.
To further strengthen skill development, the government plans to establish an international-level Livelihood Centre of Excellence in Nava Raipur. A provision of ₹2 crore has been made for land lease agreements related to the project.
Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb concluded that the government is determined to expand technical education, strengthen skill development initiatives and create sustainable employment opportunities for the youth of Chhattisgarh.
