India and France Join Hands to Establish National Centre of Excellence in Aeronautics at Kanpur

New Delhi: In a significant boost to India's aerospace skilling ecosystem, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today announced the establishment of a India–France National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur.

The announcement was made during a joint press statement with the President of France while inaugurating the India–France Year of Innovation and related cooperation initiatives. The Centre will be developed under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

A World-Class Institution for Aerospace Skilling

The proposed NCoE at Kanpur will focus on advanced skill training in critical domains including aeronautics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), airport operations, defence manufacturing, and allied sectors. Envisaged as a world-class institution, it aims to strengthen India's capacity in aviation skilling while supporting the country's rapidly growing aerospace and defence ecosystem.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, welcomed the initiative, stating, "Under the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister, PM-SETU is redefining the future of India's ITI ecosystem. The National Centre of Excellence in Aviation at Kanpur will not only create a pipeline of globally competent aviation professionals but also deepen India's strategic partnership with France in emerging and advanced technology sectors."

He further emphasized that the initiative reflects the government's commitment to aligning skills with global standards, enabling mobility, and preparing youth for emerging opportunities in aeronautics, defence, and advanced manufacturing.

Strategic Collaboration with France

A Letter of Intent (LoI) has been exchanged between MSDE, Government of India, and the Government of the French Republic to collaborate on the establishment of this Centre. The intent builds upon the India–France Strategic Partnership and the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025 in the field of skill development and vocational education and training.

The proposed collaboration envisages several key components:

Co-designed curricula tailored to industry requirements
Structured training-of-trainers programmes
Periodic joint review of programmes
Exchange initiatives between Indian and French institutions
Language training to enhance global employability
Development of structured mobility pathways
Cooperation in aeronautics, space, and allied domains

The Letter of Intent serves as a record of intent pending the execution of a specific agreement governing the activities contemplated under this initiative.

Part of Ambitious PM-SETU Scheme

With an overall outlay of ₹60,000 crore, PM-SETU aims to upgrade 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country, modernizing infrastructure, aligning curricula with industry demand, and strengthening employability outcomes.

In addition to Kanpur's aviation-focused Centre, other proposed National Centres of Excellence will cater to sectoral priorities aligned with regional industrial strengths. These include facilities for advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, and high-growth service sectors at Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bhubaneswar.

Strengthening India's Skilling Architecture

The establishment of the India–France National Centre of Excellence in Aviation marks a significant step in strengthening India's skilling architecture, reinforcing global partnerships, and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 through high-quality, industry-integrated vocational education and training.

The initiative is expected to create a skilled workforce ready to meet the demands of the growing aviation and defence sectors, while also providing international exposure and globally recognized qualifications to Indian youth. As India positions itself as a hub for aerospace manufacturing and MRO services, such specialized training institutions will play a crucial role in building the talent pipeline required for the industry's expansion.