NEW DELHI — IIM Bangalore and the Ministry of Minority Affairs announced a Memorandum of Understanding on 26 September 2026 to monitor 43 training centres across five states under the PM VIKAS programme. The centres, located in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka, will receive joint oversight to improve the quality and reach of skill‑development courses aimed at minority communities.
Scope of the MoU
The memorandum, signed by the director of IIM Bangalore and the minister of Minority Affairs, outlines a joint monitoring framework. It specifies that IIM Bangalore will provide expertise in curriculum design, assessment and data analytics, while the ministry will coordinate with state governments to ensure compliance with national standards. The MoU is part of the broader PM VIKAS initiative, which seeks to strengthen public programme delivery and foster innovation in training.
Training Centres and States
According to the announcement, the 43 centres are spread across five states: Uttar Pradesh (12 centres), Rajasthan (9), Gujarat (8), Maharashtra (10) and Karnataka (4). Each centre offers vocational courses in areas such as information technology, healthcare support, hospitality and basic entrepreneurship. The selection of these hubs was based on their enrolment figures and the proportion of minority students served.
Objectives of the Monitoring Plan
The primary goal is to standardise training quality and improve placement outcomes. The plan will track metrics such as student enrolment, completion rates, post‑training employment and feedback from employers. IIM Bangalore will conduct quarterly audits and produce a consolidated report for the ministry. The ministry will use the findings to adjust funding allocations and policy directives.
Implementation Mechanism
Under the MoU, a joint steering committee will be established. The committee will include representatives from IIM Bangalore, the Ministry of Minority Affairs, state education departments and the training centre management. It will meet every six months to review progress and recommend corrective actions. The committee will also facilitate knowledge sharing sessions among centre managers to disseminate best practices.
Reactions from Stakeholders
In a statement released by the ministry, officials said the partnership would bring a data‑driven approach to training delivery. The IIM Bangalore spokesperson highlighted the institute’s experience in monitoring large‑scale educational programmes. State education officials in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra welcomed the initiative, citing the need for consistent quality checks across their respective centres.
Future Outlook
Both parties indicated that the monitoring framework would be reviewed after the first year of implementation. If successful, the model could be expanded to include additional centres and other skill‑development schemes. The MoU also mentions a pilot phase in which a subset of centres will receive additional support for digital infrastructure upgrades.
Background on PM VIKAS
PM VIKAS, launched in 2024, is a central government programme aimed at improving vocational training for under‑represented communities. It provides funding for curriculum development, teacher training and infrastructure upgrades. The IIM Bangalore partnership is the first formal collaboration between a premier business school and the Ministry of Minority Affairs under this scheme.
Legal and Administrative Framework
The MoU is governed by the provisions of the Ministry of Minority Affairs’ policy on skill development and the guidelines issued by the National Skill Development Corporation. It also aligns with the National Skill Development Mission’s emphasis on inclusive growth. The memorandum is registered under the Ministry’s official portal and is publicly available for reference.
