Future-Ready: Chandigarh takes skill education to every Senior Secondary School

CHANDIGARH: -Beginning with the 2026-27 academic session, the Chandigarh Administration is rolling out a massive expansion of vocational education, bringing 30 skill-based elective courses to all 42 Government Senior Secondary Schools across the Union Territory. The NEP 2020-aligned initiative integrates practical training directly into mainstream Science, Commerce, and Humanities streams. The major overhaul officially ends the era where vocational subjects were restricted to just 23 schools, unlocking a vast array of high-demand, industry-oriented subjects for students. Whether a student is preparing for college or immediate workforce entry, they now have a massive catalog of practical trades available right on campus.

Students can now tailor their education with electives across a wide spectrum of modern industries: Emerging Technologies and IT: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information Technology (IT) and Web Applications; Business, Finance and Sales: Banking, Marketing, Financial Market Management, Business Administration, Salesmanship, and Shorthand (English/Hindi); Hospitality and Culinary: Tourism, Food Production, and Front Office Operations; Healthcare and Wellness: Health Care, Beauty and Wellness and Yoga; Technical Trades: Electrical Technology, Electronics, Automotive Technology, and AC and Refrigeration.

Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) and CBSE guidelines, the objective is to make students future-ready, self-reliant, and highly employable. Rather than separating academics from practical trades, this curriculum ensures students graduate with both a traditional diploma and verifiable workplace competencies. To successfully pull off this massive integration, the Education Department is taking targeted action: Trainer Boost: An investment of roughly Rs1.2 Crore is being dedicated to hiring 38 additional part-time skill trainers. They will join the already existing team of 110 regular and contractual vocational educators. Seat Rationalization: To accommodate the new subjects, the administration has reallocated 1,755 vocational seats across streams. This adjustment pushes the overall Class 11 capacity in government schools from 13,875 to 13,920 seats.

The initiative aims to equip students with practical skills, industry exposure and career awareness while strengthening employability, entrepreneurship and informed career choices in line with evolving workforce requirements.

The Director School Education, Chandigarh Mr Nitish Singla stated that this initiative reflects the Department’s commitment to holistic education, ensuring that every child not only excels academically but also acquires relevant skills that will enable them to become confident, self-reliant, and future-ready citizens.

The Department of School Education has undertaken comprehensive planning for the rollout of the programme, including deployment of trained instructors, academic support and continuous monitoring to ensure effective implementation in accordance with CBSE standards.

The expansion of Skill Elective Courses marks a major milestone in Chandigarh’s efforts to integrate skill education into mainstream schooling and prepare students for higher education, employment and future opportunities in a rapidly evolving economy.