PM-SETU Gets Wings: India–France Aeronautics Excellence Centre Coming Up

In a significant step towards strengthening India–France relations and India’s aviation skilling ecosystem, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defense at Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The announcement was made during a joint press statement with the President of France while inaugurating the India–France Year of Innovation, highlighting growing collaboration in advanced technologies, skill development, and defense manufacturing.

What is the India-France National Centre of Excellence?

The National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Aeronautics and Defense at Kanpur is envisioned as a world-class skilling institution focusing on advanced and industry-aligned training.

Key Focus Areas

The Centre will provide training in,

• Aeronautics
• Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
• Airport operations
• Defense manufacturing
• Space and allied sectors

The aim is to create a pipeline of globally competent aviation professionals, aligned with international standards and industry demands.

PM-SETU Scheme: Transforming India’s ITI Ecosystem

The Centre will be established under the PM-SETU scheme, a flagship initiative with a massive outlay of ₹60,000 crore.

Objectives of PM-SETU

PM-SETU aims to,

• Upgrade 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India.
• Modernize infrastructure and equipment.
• Align curricula with industry requirements.
• Improve employability outcomes.

This initiative is part of the broader vision of building a skilled workforce to support Viksit Bharat 2047, India’s long-term development roadmap.

In addition to Kanpur, other proposed National Centres of Excellence will be located at,

• Ludhiana
• Hyderabad
• Chennai
• Bhubaneswar

Each Centre will cater to regional industrial strengths such as advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, and high-growth service sectors.

Strengthening India-France Cooperation in Skill Development

• The establishment of the NCoE builds upon the India–France Strategic Partnership, which has expanded significantly in defense, space, nuclear energy, and now vocational education.
• A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been exchanged between the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the Government of the French Republic.
• This LoI follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2025 in the field of skill development and vocational education and training.

Proposed Areas of Collaboration

The partnership envisages,

• Co-designed curricula aligned with global standards.
• Structured training-of-trainers programmes.
• Joint programme reviews.
• Exchange initiatives for students and faculty.
• Language training.
• Structured mobility pathways.

Such collaboration ensures that Indian trainees receive exposure to international best practices, particularly in high-precision sectors like aeronautics and defence manufacturing.

Key Points

• Name of initiative: India–France National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics and Defence
• Location: NSTI Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
• Scheme: PM-SETU
• Outlay of PM-SETU: ₹60,000 crore
• ITIs to be upgraded: 1,000
• Partner Country: France
• Year of MoU in skill development: 2025

Question

Q. The India-France National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Aeronautics and Defence will be established at:

A) NSTI Ludhiana
B) NSTI Hyderabad
C) NSTI Kanpur
D) NSTI Chennai