Uttar Pradesh Implements Comprehensive Performance Grading System for Skill Training Providers
In a significant move to enhance the quality of vocational education, the Uttar Pradesh government has announced that all skill training providers across the state will undergo a rigorous performance assessment. This evaluation will be based on the targets they have achieved and the number of trainees successfully placed in employment over the past three years.
Scope and Eligibility of the Assessment
The assessment will encompass the state's entire network of 1,712 skill training providers. However, only those providers that are currently empanelled with the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM) and have not been debarred or blacklisted will be eligible to participate in this grading process. The evaluation is scheduled to take place in March, with the results directly influencing the allocation of targets for the upcoming financial year of 2026-27.
Four-Tier Grading Structure on a 40-Point Scale
Pulkit Khare, Director of UPSDM, detailed the grading framework, explaining that training providers will be categorized into four distinct groups: A, B, C, and D. This classification will be determined using a comprehensive 40-point evaluation scale.
- Providers scoring between 36 and 40 marks will be awarded the prestigious A grade.
- Those achieving scores from 30 to 36 will fall into the B grade category.
- Training providers with marks ranging from 25 to 30 will be placed in the C grade.
- Institutions scoring below 25 points will receive a D grade.
Government's Vision for Enhanced Skill Training Quality
Kapil Dev Agarwal, the Minister for Vocational Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, emphasized the objectives behind this initiative. "The evaluation and grading of private training providers is aimed at enhancing the quality of skill training, bringing transparency, and strengthening employability," he stated. This systematic approach is designed to ensure that skill development programs are effective and aligned with market demands.
Key Performance Indicators and Provider Demographics
Officials have clarified that the grading system will primarily focus on critical metrics such as enrolment numbers, the timely completion of training programs, and outcome-based performance, particularly the placement rates of trainees. An analysis of the 1,712 training providers reveals a diverse landscape:
- 493 are private training providers.
- 334 are government-run institutions.
- 23 are industrial training partners.
- 34 are dedicated to persons with disabilities.
- The remainder includes various entities such as start-ups and organizations operating under the Central Government's skill training schemes.
Implications of the New Grading System
Under this new performance-based framework, institutions that demonstrate superior results will be rewarded with increased opportunities and potentially larger target allocations. Conversely, those performing poorly will be required to undertake substantial improvements in their training quality and methodologies. This initiative represents a proactive step by the Uttar Pradesh government to foster a more accountable and efficient skill development ecosystem, ultimately boosting employability and economic growth in the state.
