CBSE, in alignment with NEP- 2020 and NCF-School Education, is committed to embedding skill (vocational)
education as a vital component of the school curriculum. By integrating vocational skills at the school level,
CBSE aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application, fostering students’
readiness for future challenges and opportunities. CBSE aims to prepare well-rounded and future-ready
students. CBSE’s efforts also align with India’s vision to become a global leader in skill development.
Some of the initiatives taken by CBSE for promoting Skill Education in schools are as follows:
- CBSE, vide its circular no. 25/2020, introduced Skill Modules for students of classes VI to XII. Students
can opt for one or more modules in an academic session. These modules can be offered through classes
or through Hobby Clubs (if available) or online in self-learning mode. These modules may be of same
topic or of different topics. Students opting for any skill module will begin from the first module and then
move to next available module. Assessments are school-based, preferably project-based. CBSE has also
developed a portal for registration and certification of students who have opted for Skill Modules. - CBSE offers 22 Skill subjects in classes IX-X and 43 Skill subjects in classes XI-XII. The list of these subjects
along with respective job roles and marks distribution are annexed. Please note that the affiliated
schools do not need to seek any separate permission from CBSE or pay any fee to CBSE for introducing
Skill module(s) or Skill subject(s) at any level. The school shall fill the details in the OASIS form and
provide the required details. - For adequate handholding and mentoring of schools that wish to introduce Skill subjects/ Skill Modules
w.e.f. session 2025-2026, information may be provided using below mentioned links:
a) For providing information about the Skill Modules introduced by the
school in classes VI– XII (refer to Annexure I for the list of Skill Modules).
https://forms.gle/YaMy
NFyD6Zgc55n6A
b) For providing information about the Skill Subjects introduced by the
school in class IX (refer to Annexure III for the list of Skill subjects).
https://forms.gle/4nqK
313Duc2BV7mw7
c) For providing information about the Skill Subjects introduced by the
school in class XI (refer to Annexure V for the list of Skill subjects).
https://forms.gle/Dmk
H7kZ5dfMpbDiE9 - It is important to note that the Skill Subjects offered by CBSE are mapped to specific NSQF levels, each
corresponding to a defined job role and a required number of study hours. Therefore, it is not advisable
for students to change their Skill subject in classes X and XII or to opt for a Skill subject in these classes
that they have not previously studied in classes IX and XI. - CBSE vide its Circular No. Skill-75/2024 has informed the schools that in order to effectively implement
the recommendations of NEP and NCF-SE, all the schools affiliated with the Board must establish a
Composite Skill Lab with all necessary equipments, within a period of three years from the date of this
circular. Details regarding the structure/ setup/ design of these labs, including necessary materials for
teaching-learning various skill subjects, will be made available shortly. - The National Credit Framework (NCrF) enables establishment of equivalence and mobility between
general education, both formal and non-formal, and vocational education for lifelong learning,
recognition of prior learning, multiple entry and exit, and continuous professional development. It also
includes a mechanism for transfer of credits. In line with this, CBSE through its Circular No. Skill-33/2024
shared the guidelines for implementation of NCrF in schools. This was followed up with various sessions
(both offline & online). More interactive sessions are being scheduled for orienting and mentoring the
schools for implementation of the NCrF. - CBSE is in the process of appointing District Skill Coordinators (DSCs) in every district across the country.
These DSCs will play a crucial role in supporting and guiding schools, ensuring the smooth and effective
execution of these initiatives at the grassroots level. - CBSE regularly organizes Awareness Programs for Principals and the representatives of School
Management to inform them about the various initiatives the Board has undertaken to promote Skill
Education. Additionally, the Board conducts Capacity Building Programs for teachers who teach Skill
subjects in affiliated schools. These programs are carried out in collaboration with Industries and
respective Sector Skill Councils, who support CBSE in the effective implementation of Skill Education. It
is important to note that all programs conducted by the Department of Skill Education are offered free
of charge to all the participants. Moreover, these programs are recognized as part of the Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) requirement, fulfilling the mandatory minimum requirement of 50
hours per year for teachers and Principals, as recommended in NEP 2020. - CBSE regularly conducts a range of subject enrichment activities for students to provide experiential
learning opportunities, fostering innovation and practical application of knowledge. Some of these
activities are: Skill Expos, Career Guidance Sessions, Hackathons, Bootcamps, Olympiads, Ideathons,
Industry Engagement & Exposure Programs, etc. - CBSE has prepared a comprehensive ‘Compendium of Careers and Education Pathways’ which provides
valuable information & guidance for students pursuing skill subjects in Class XII. The same is available on
the ‘Skill Education’ webpage of the CBSE Academic website. - The curriculum, textbooks/study materials, sample question papers, and previous years’ question
papers for various Skill Subjects and Skill Modules offered by CBSE are readily available on the ‘Skill
Education’ webpage of the CBSE Academic website: http://cbseacademic.nic.in/skill-education.html.
CBSE calls upon all affiliated schools to urgently implement these initiatives and embed Skill Education into
their curriculum without delay. By taking proactive steps to introduce vocational subjects, set up skill labs,
and provide hands-on learning opportunities, your school can make a significant contribution to building a
skilled and self-reliant workforce for the Nation.
Please feel free to share your feedback, suggestions and success stories of alumni.
