Skilled Trades

What you need to know

1. 1
   Electricians, plumbers, AC and solar technicians, beauticians, mobile repairers, welders, drivers, carpenters and masons are always in demand, in cities, villages and abroad.
2. 2
   You can learn through an ITI (1–2 years), a free short course under Skill India, or get your existing skill certified (Recognition of Prior Learning).
3. 3
   Some trades need a licence or permit: electrical wiring and driving always do; some cities also license plumbers.
4. 4
   Register on e-Shram, take cheap government insurance, and never pay large "fees" for training or Gulf jobs.

Official sources

• skillindiadigital.gov.inSkill India Digital: find free courses and centres↗
• eshram.gov.ine-Shram: free registration for unorganised workers↗

Inside this branch

• How to learn a trade1 more
• Electrician2 more
• Plumber1 more
• AC, fridge and solar2 more
• Beauty, mobile repair, welding3 more
• Driver1 more
• Carpenter and mason1 more
• Finding work and your own business2 more
• Working in the Gulf1 more
• Protect yourself1 more
• For girls1 more
• Avoid scams1 more

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  Skill India DigitalFind free courses and training centres.
  Free
• Official
  National Qualification RegisterCheck a course's level and hours.
  Free
• Official
  DGT: ITI tradesOfficial trade syllabi.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The routes

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   ITI: 1–2 year trade courses after Class 8 or 10 (see the ITI roadmap). Short courses: weeks to a few months, free under PMKVY at approved centres. RPL: already doing the work? Get a free test and certificate.
2. 2
   Find centres and courses on Skill India Digital. Before joining, check the course on the National Qualification Register.

Official sources

• skillindiadigital.gov.inSkill India Digital: find free courses and centres↗
• nqr.gov.inNational Qualification Register: check any course↗
• Vaidaani roadmapITI, Polytechnic and Skills→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  Central Electricity AuthoritySafety regulations for electrical work.
  Free
• Official
  Tamil Nadu Electrical Licensing BoardExample: wireman and supervisor certificates.
  Free
• Article
  CEA one-nation licence advisory (summary)Licences to be accepted across states.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Learning and licence
• Stay alive

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What you need to know

1. 1
   ITI Electrician (2 years, Class 10 with Science and Maths) or Wireman (2 years, Class 8).
2. 2
   Under the CEA safety regulations 2023, wiring work must be done by someone holding a state wireman permit (or competency certificate), under a licensed contractor and certified supervisor. An ITI certificate alone is not the permit; apply to your state's electrical licensing board.
3. 3
   Changing a bulb, fan or switch is exempt. States are asked to accept licences from other states (reported).

Official sources

• cea.nic.inCentral Electricity Authority (safety regulations)↗
• tnelb.gov.inTamil Nadu Electrical Licensing Board (example)↗
• teamleaseregtech.comCEA advisory: one electrical licence across states (summary)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Electric shocks kill thousands of people in India every year (reported). Always switch off and test before touching, use insulated tools and gloves, and never work on live lines.

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Learn from these 1

• Official
  Plumber (General) course book (PDF)Free official learning material.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   ITI Plumber (1 year, Class 8) or a short Plumber (General) course. Some cities (e.g. Delhi's NDMC area, Pune) require a municipal plumber licence for water and drain connections: ask your municipal office.

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Learn from these 4

• Official
  SuryamitraFree solar technician training.
  Free
• Official
  PM Surya GharRooftop solar scheme and vendors.
  Free
• Official
  NIMI: PM Surya Ghar skillingSolar PV technician training.
  Free
• Official
  ITI AC technician syllabus (PDF)2-year trade.
  Free

Inside this branch

• AC and refrigeration
• Solar technician

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What you need to know

1. 1
   ITI Refrigeration and Air Conditioner Technician (2 years). Experienced technicians can get free certification through Skill India.
2. 2
   Older refrigerant gases are being phased out; learn to handle the newer, flammable gases safely. No special licence was found, but proper training matters.

Official sources

• skilldevelopment.gov.inMSDE: free certification for AC and fridge technicians (PDF)↗
• dgt.gov.inDGT: ITI trades and syllabi↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Suryamitra: free 3-month residential training for Class 10 + ITI (electrician, wireman, electronics, fitter) holders aged 18+ (check if a batch is running).
2. 2
   The PM Surya Ghar rooftop scheme is training lakhs of solar technicians. Start by working for an empanelled vendor; becoming a vendor yourself needs a ₹2.5 lakh bank guarantee and DISCOM approval.

Official sources

• suryamitra.nise.res.inSuryamitra: free solar technician training↗
• nimi.gov.inNIMI: PM Surya Ghar skilling↗
• pmsuryaghar.gov.inPM Surya Ghar: rooftop solar and vendor lists↗

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Learn from these 3

• Official
  Assistant Beauty Therapist course book (PDF)Free official learning material.
  Free
• Official
  Mobile technician qualification (PDF)Eligibility and content.
  Free
• Official
  Right to Repair portalManuals and spare-part information.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Beautician
• Mobile repair
• Welder

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What you need to know

1. 1
   ITI Cosmetology (1 year, Class 10) or a short Assistant Beauty Therapist course. There is no national licence, but a salon needs local shop or trade registration.

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What you need to know

1. 1
   The recognised course is Handheld Devices (Mobile and Accessories) Technician (Class 12, or Class 10 with 3 years' experience). ITI Electronics Mechanic also helps. The Right to Repair portal lists manuals and spare-part information.

Official sources

• tsscindia.comTelecom Skill Council: mobile repair technician↗
• righttorepairindia.gov.inRight to Repair portal (manuals and spare-part info)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   ITI Welder (1 year, Class 8). Welding on boilers and pressure parts needs a separate IBR welder certificate, retested every 2 years (reported).

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Learn from these 2

• Official
  Parivahan SarathiApply for learner and driving licences.
  Free
• Official
  MoRTH: driver training centresWhich certificate skips the test.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Licence rules

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What you need to know

1. 1
   Age 18 for a car or motorcycle licence and 20 for a transport (commercial) vehicle (check current). No minimum education is needed for a commercial licence (reported).
2. 2
   An Accredited Driver Training Centre certificate (Form 5B) lets you skip the RTO driving test; an ordinary driving school certificate does not. Apply for licences on Parivahan Sarathi.
3. 3
   A light motor vehicle licence lets you drive light transport vehicles up to 7,500 kg (Supreme Court, 2024, reported).

Official sources

• sarathi.parivahan.gov.inParivahan Sarathi: driving licence↗
• vikaspedia.inMoRTH clarification on accredited driver training centres↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  PM VishwakarmaRegister through a CSC.
  Free
• Official
  myScheme: PM VishwakarmaEligibility and benefits.
  Free
• Official
  Delhi construction workers' boardExample of a state welfare board.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Help that exists

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   PM Vishwakarma (18 trades incl. carpenter, mason, tailor, barber, blacksmith): free registration at a Common Service Centre, short paid training, a toolkit voucher of up to ₹15,000 and loans of ₹1 lakh then ₹2 lakh at 5%.
2. 2
   Construction workers (masons, carpenters, plumbers, electricians) with 90 days of work in a year can register with their state's construction workers' welfare board for accident, education and maternity help.

Official sources

• myscheme.gov.inmyScheme: PM Vishwakarma eligibility↗
• pmvishwakarma.gov.inPM Vishwakarma (artisans and trades)↗
• dbocwwb.delhi.gov.inDelhi construction workers' welfare board (example)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 2

• Official
  National Career ServiceJobs and job fairs.
  Free
• Official
  Udyam registrationFree registration for your own business.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Ways to earn
• Honest pay

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What you need to know

1. 1
   Jobs with contractors, builders, service centres and companies; government job fairs on the National Career Service; Railways and others hire ITI holders.
2. 2
   App platforms (home services) bring customers but may charge for training, kits or leads (reported): read the terms before paying.
3. 3
   Your own work: register free on Udyam, keep simple accounts, and use PM Vishwakarma or MUDRA for small loans.

Official sources

• ncs.gov.inNational Career Service: jobs and job fairs↗
• Vaidaani roadmapStart Your Own Business→
• Vaidaani roadmapRailway Jobs→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Skilled electricians and plumbers often earn roughly ₹15,000–45,000 a month (reported), more with experience, your own customers or in big cities. Minimum wages vary by state.

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Learn from these 3

• Official
  eMigrateRegistered and illegal agents, clearance.
  Free
• Official
  MEA: overseas employment overview (PDF)ECR countries, insurance, helpline.
  Free
• Official
  MEA: FAQ for intending emigrantsCommon questions answered.
  Free

Inside this branch

• The rules

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   If your passport says ECR, you need emigration clearance on eMigrate to work in 19 countries, including the Gulf.
2. 2
   Use only registered recruiting agents (check eMigrate, which also lists thousands of illegal agents). The legal fee is capped at about ₹30,000 + GST, with a receipt (reported).
3. 3
   Take the one-day pre-departure training (also online) and the compulsory Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana insurance (₹10 lakh cover for a few hundred rupees). Help: 1800 11 3090.

Official sources

• emigrate.gov.ineMigrate: check agents, get clearance↗
• mea.gov.inMEA: working abroad safely (PDF)↗
• mea.gov.inMEA: questions from people going abroad for work↗
• Vaidaani roadmapStudy Abroad: the Honest Guide→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 4

• Official
  e-Shram FAQWho can register and how.
  Free
• Official
  PIB: PMSBY and PMJJBY (PDF)Cheap accident and life cover.
  Free
• Official
  Jan Suraksha portalInsurance forms.
  Free
• Official
  PM-SYM pension₹3,000 a month from age 60.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Sign up for these

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   e-Shram: free registration for unorganised workers aged 16–59 with Aadhaar (helpline 14434). It does not pay money by itself; websites promising "₹1,000 a month" are fake.
2. 2
   PMSBY: ₹20 a year for ₹2 lakh accident cover. PMJJBY: ₹436 a year for ₹2 lakh life cover. Join at your bank.
3. 3
   PM-SYM: if you are 18–40 and earn up to ₹15,000 a month, pay a small monthly amount and get ₹3,000 a month pension from age 60.
4. 4
   New labour codes (from November 2025) recognise gig and platform workers for social security (reported).

Official sources

• beta.eshram.gov.ine-Shram FAQ↗
• static.pib.gov.inPIB: PMSBY and PMJJBY explained (PDF)↗
• jansuraksha.gov.inJan Suraksha: PMSBY and PMJJBY insurance↗
• labour.gov.inPM-SYM: pension for unorganised workers↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 1

• Official
  NSTI (Women) MumbaiWomen's trade training institute.
  Free

Inside this branch

• What to know

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   Beauty, tailoring, electronics, solar and mobile repair all train women. There are women-only ITIs and National Skill Training Institutes for women.
2. 2
   Prefer known employers and platforms, share your location when visiting homes, and report harassment.

Official sources

• Vaidaani roadmapFor girls: every scheme→
• Vaidaani roadmapBack to studies after a break→

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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Learn from these 3

• Official
  Check an ITI certificateVerify before trusting a certificate.
  Free
• Official
  PMKVY (free training)Training costs are paid by the scheme.
  Free
• Official
  Cyber crime portal (helpline 1930)Report fraud.
  Free

Inside this branch

• Red flags

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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What you need to know

1. 1
   PMKVY training is free: a centre charging fees is breaking the rules, and the government has blacklisted fake centres (reported).
2. 2
   Fake certificates or "licence without test": check ITI certificates on NCVT MIS; wiring permits come only from your state board.
3. 3
   Gulf or "data entry abroad" jobs through unregistered agents can trap you; some lead to scam centres in South-East Asia. Lost money? Call 1930.

Official sources

• ncvtmis.gov.inCheck an ITI certificate (NCVT MIS)↗
• emigrate.gov.ineMigrate: check agents, get clearance↗
• cybercrime.gov.inCyber crime portal (helpline 1930)↗

Rules change every year: check the official website before you apply.
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