New Delhi, February 6, 2026 – The Ministry of Steel announced today that the first batch of youth from the Bastar and Dantewada districts has achieved a 100% placement rate following the completion of the NMDC-CIPET Skill Development Programme. This initiative, fully funded by NMDC under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) wing, provides specialized technical training to local youth from economically weaker backgrounds.

The program is conducted in collaboration with the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET) and focuses on empowering school dropouts and tribal youth with industry-ready skills. By offering free residential training and certification, the initiative has successfully bridged the gap between rural talent and industrial demand, ensuring that every participant in the inaugural batch secured employment in the manufacturing sector.

Government officials highlighted that such projects are cornerstone efforts toward achieving the “Viksit Bharat” vision. By transforming the lives of marginalized communities through skill-based education, the project not only enhances the economic stability of the Bastar region but also integrates local talent into the national mainstream.