New Delhi | August , 2026: The Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council (THSC), India’s premier Sector Skill Council for the tourism and hospitality industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Bharatiya Shiksha Board (BSB) to integrate industry-aligned vocational education into the school ecosystem, marking a significant milestone in advancing the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formally exchanged during a ceremony held at the Bharatiya Shiksha Board headquarters in New Delhi in the distinguished presence of Swami Ramdev, Founder Chairman, Bharatiya Shiksha Board; Dr. N. P. Singh (Retd. IAS), Executive Chairman; Shri R.P. Singh (Retd. IPS), Secretary; and senior representatives from participating Sector Skill Councils.

The collaboration establishes THSC as the Quality Assurance, Affiliation, Assessment and Certification Partner for vocational education programmes under Bharatiya Shiksha Board. Under the partnership, THSC will support school affiliations, develop quality assurance mechanisms, conduct Training of Trainers (ToT), certify vocational trainers, facilitate NSQF-compliant assessments, issue joint skill certifications, and strengthen industry linkages to provide students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities.

Addressing the gathering, Swami Ramdev, Founder Chairman, Bharatiya Shiksha Board, said, “This is the first time in the country that the organization sponsoring a national education board is itself establishing such a strong academic-industry partnership. Through this collaborative model, Bharatiya Shiksha Board aims not only to build a skilled workforce but also to provide India’s youth with genuine entrepreneurial opportunities. Students will benefit from industry exposure, internships, hands-on training, and structured pathways to employment and self-employment across sectors including tourism and hospitality, IT, green jobs, handicrafts, and wellness.”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Rajan Bahadur, CEO, Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council, said:

“This partnership represents a transformative step towards building a future-ready education ecosystem where academic learning is seamlessly integrated with practical skills and industry exposure. By introducing tourism and hospitality education at the school level, we are equipping young learners with employability skills, entrepreneurial capabilities, and career pathways that will empower them to contribute meaningfully to India’s growing service economy.”

He further added:

“THSC is proud to partner with Bharatiya Shiksha Board in implementing a robust vocational education framework aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. With our extensive experience of working with 23 State School Boards and conducting over 80,000 student skill assessments annually, we have developed strong systems for quality assurance, standardized assessment, certification, and industry engagement. We are confident that this partnership will create a scalable model for delivering quality vocational education that prepares students not only for employment but also for lifelong learning and entrepreneurship.”

The collaboration aligns with Bharatiya Shiksha Board’s vision of integrating NSQF-aligned vocational education into mainstream schooling by offering industry-recognized courses, standardized assessments, internships, experiential learning, and entrepreneurial opportunities from Classes IX to XII. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom education and the world of work while ensuring equitable access to skill-based education for students across urban and rural India.

The partnership reinforces the shared commitment of THSC and Bharatiya Shiksha Board to create an education ecosystem where students receive the dual advantage of academic learning and industry-recognized skill certification, enabling a seamless transition from school to higher education, apprenticeships, employment, or entrepreneurship. It also contributes to India’s vision of creating a skilled, self-reliant, and globally competitive workforce in line with the aspirations of Viksit Bharat 2047.