A discussion on “Skill, Education and Livelihood: Role of CSOs in Viksit Bharat”

A discussion on “Skill, Education and Livelihood: Role of CSOs in Viksit Bharat” was jointly organised by Prayas JAC Society and India Habitat Centre at IHC, New Delhi, bringing together policymakers, educationists, industry leaders, skill development experts, CSOs, and practitioners from across the country. The deliberations focused on strengthening linkages between education, skilling, and livelihoods to support India’s journey towards a developed and inclusive nation by 2047. Speakers collectively emphasised that one-size-fits-all skilling models are ineffective and called for localised, community-anchored approaches aligned with regional aspirations, industry needs, and real workplace conditions. The panel highlighted the critical role of CSOs in bridging systemic gaps—preparing youth for workforce realities, supporting migrant and vulnerable workers, improving job retention, and enabling smoother school-to-work transitions. Drawing from Prayas’ four decades of work in education, vocational skilling, juvenile justice, and economic empowerment, special attention was given to its flagship initiative Gyan Kaushal, which integrates vocational education, digital skills, and career awareness within schools in line with NEP 2020 and NSQF. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Amod K. Kanth, Founder & Mentor, Prayas JAC Society, underscored the persistent disconnect between education, skilling, and livelihoods, calling for an integrated, people-centric approach to unlock India’s true growth potential and ensure dignity through sustainable livelihoods.