Uttar Pradesh targets ‘Skill State’ status under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

On 20 July 2024, marking World Youth Skills Day, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced a nine‑year plan to transform the state into a ‘Skill State’. He said every young person should acquire at least one skill to secure employment and become a future employer. The announcement highlighted initiatives such as the “Yogi Ki Patri” letters to youth, “Skill Sakhi” and “Skill Saathi” programmes, the “Tech Youth‑Supported Youth” drive, and the “One District‑One Product” scheme that links traditional products to global markets. The government also aims to develop the state as a hub for IT, electronics and artificial intelligence, and to expand vocational training through single‑domain skill courses and finishing schools.

Adityanath emphasized that skill development is vital for India’s ambition to become a trillion‑dollar economy, stating: “Skill is the basis of self‑reliance, the backbone of self‑respect and the greatest strength of a developed Uttar Pradesh.”