Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a series of youth-focused initiatives worth over Rs 62,000 crore, particularly aimed at empowering the youth in poll-bound Bihar. During the Kaushal Deekshant Samaroh in New Delhi, he introduced the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU), a major scheme with an investment of Rs 60,000 crore. This initiative aims to modernise 1,000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country, using a hub-and-spoke model that includes 200 hub ITIs and 800 spoke ITIs.

The PM highlighted that this scheme will link ITIs directly with industries, enhancing the skill training provided to students. He stated, "Today, two more major schemes have been launched, and with the PM-SETU Scheme worth thousands of crores, our ITIs will now be directly and strongly linked with industries." The first phase of the PM-SETU will focus on ITIs in Patna and Darbhanga, with global support from the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.

In addition to PM-SETU, Modi announced the revamped Mukhyamantri Nishchay Svyam Sahayata Bhatta Yojana, which will provide nearly five lakh graduates with a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 for two years, along with free skill training. He also introduced a redesigned Bihar Student Credit Card Scheme, offering interest-free loans up to Rs 4 lakh for higher education, which has already benefited over 3.92 lakh students.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the Bihar Yuva Ayog, a statutory body aimed at harnessing the potential of the youth aged 18 to 45. He also laid the foundation for new academic and research facilities in four universities in Bihar, which will benefit over 27,000 students by providing modern infrastructure and advanced learning opportunities.

Modi dedicated the Bihta campus of NIT Patna, which can accommodate 6,500 students and features advanced facilities, including a 5G use case lab and an Innovation and Incubation Centre. He also inaugurated the Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur Skill University, designed to offer industry-oriented courses and vocational education.

During the event, PM Modi emphasised the importance of skills in public life, stating, "If we did not give prestige to skills and people with skills were not respected in public life, maybe they would think less of themselves." He also distributed appointment letters to over 4,000 newly recruited candidates in the Bihar government and released Rs 450 crore in scholarships to 25 lakh students under the Mukhyamantri Balak/Balika Scholarship Scheme. This comprehensive initiative reflects the NDA government's commitment to the youth and women of Bihar, aiming to secure a brighter future for them.