ITI Courses & Trades Guide

What ITIs are and how they work

Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are post-secondary vocational training institutions set up under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), which is administered by the Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.

ITIs offer practical, trade-specific training in two main certification streams. Trainees enrolled under NCVT-designated trades follow a syllabus set by the DGT and are assessed through the All India Trade Test (AITT), after which they receive a National Trade Certificate (NTC). Trainees in SCVT-designated trades are certified by their state's Board of Technical Education under a state-level scheme.

Trades and duration

There are well over a hundred trades available, broadly grouped into engineering trades and non-engineering trades. Duration ranges from six months to two years depending on the trade.

• Engineering trades (examples): Electrician, Fitter, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle), Welder, Turner, Machinist, Electronics Mechanic
• Non-engineering trades (examples): Stenographer, Draughtsman, Dress Making, Cutting & Sewing, Plumber, Carpenter
• Duration: 6 months (some certificate trades), 1 year, or 2 years (most engineering trades)

Eligibility and admission

The broad eligibility depends on the trade. Some trades accept candidates who have completed Class 8; most engineering trades require a Class 10 pass. Some advanced or specialist trades specify Class 12 with science subjects. Age and specific qualification requirements are published in each state's official admission notification.

Admission is conducted by state governments through their State Directorate of Employment and Training or equivalent body. Seats are allotted via a centralised or state-managed process — check your state's official portal for current-cycle details.

Government and private ITIs

Both government-run and private ITIs (Industrial Training Centres, or ITCs) operate under the DGT framework. Government ITIs are run directly by state governments; private ITIs are affiliated and recognised by the state. When choosing an institute, verify its affiliation to the DGT / state Directorate and confirm it is NCVT-affiliated if you want a nationally recognised NTC certificate.

After completing ITI training

After clearing the All India Trade Test, NCVT-certified trainees receive a National Trade Certificate. This can be a route to employment in industry, apprenticeship under the Apprentices Act, further technical study, or government recruitment in relevant technical posts — though specific eligibility for any role is set by the employer or recruiting body and is not guaranteed.