: Thursday, February 12, 2026 7:42 PM
Lucknow. Many important issues related to higher education, skill development and employment generation were at the center of discussion in the budget session 2026-27 of Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Thursday. While Uttar Pradesh State University (Amendment) Bill 2026 and Uttar Pradesh State University (Second Amendment) Bill 2026 were introduced in the House, the government also put forward claims of increasing employment through Skill Development Mission and ODOP Scheme. While presenting both the amendment bills in the House, Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay said that the state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is committed to making the higher education system more effective, transparent and quality. He said that the proposal was put to vote in the House, after which permission was given to introduce the bills by majority vote. According to the Minister, these amendments will strengthen the administrative and academic structure of the universities and provide a better academic environment to the students. Meanwhile, employment-oriented training program for the youth was also announced under the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission. Free training will be provided in ‘Automotive Assembly Operator’ (320 hours) and ‘Electric Vehicle Maintenance Technician’ (420 hours) courses under the automotive sector at Government ITI Aliganj, Lucknow. Candidates who have passed 10th, 12th or ITI and are minimum 18 years of age will be able to apply. The training will be on first come, first served basis and after completion of the course, arrangements will also be made to provide employment opportunities. Separate seats have been reserved for women and disabled candidates.
At the same time, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Rakesh Sachan told in the House that under the ‘One District One Product’ (ODOP) scheme launched in the year 2018, 3,16,000 people have got employment so far. He said that 1,31,000 artisans have been provided free training and tool kits in the state. In Saharanpur, 2275 artisans were given advanced tool kits and 454 handicraftsmen were given margin money worth Rs 16.26 crore.
A provision of Rs 200 crore has been made for the scheme in the current financial year. The Minister said that the export of the state has increased from Rs 86 thousand crore in the year 2017-18 to Rs 1.86 lakh crore, in which about 50 percent contribution is from ODOP and handicraft products.
He said that 79 products have received GI tag, which has strengthened the branding at the global level. The government clarified that continuous efforts are being made to make the state self-reliant and employment-rich through higher education reforms, skill development and promotion of traditional industries.
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Web Title-University Amendment Bill Introduced in UP Assembly, Government Focuses on Skill Training and ODOP
