As India’s mobility ecosystem undergoes rapid technological transformation, the importance of a skilled workforce has become more critical than ever. Electrification, connected vehicles, advanced electronics and digital technologies are reshaping the automotive landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for the industry. At the centre of this transformation is the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), which plays a key role in developing industry-relevant skills and building a future-ready workforce. Established to align vocational training with the evolving needs of the automotive sector, ASDC works closely with industry bodies, government institutions and training partners to create a robust skill ecosystem.
Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC shares insights into the organisation’s objectives, the evolution of India’s skill development ecosystem, emerging technological trends in the automotive sector and the initiatives being taken to prepare the next generation of professionals.
Q1. Could you briefly explain ASDC and its key objectives?
Automotive Skills Development Council is one of the 36 sector skill councils operating in India. Sector skill councils were created to bridge the gap between industry requirements and workforce capabilities by developing structured training frameworks aligned with specific industries. The council is promoted by three major industry associations: the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), and the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA). These organisations represent vehicle manufacturers, component manufacturers and dealerships respectively, ensuring that the entire automotive value chain is represented within ASDC’s governance framework. The council also works in close coordination with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). In addition, the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) serve as line ministries for the automotive sector.
More recently, ASDC has also become an affiliated awarding body under the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), which is the apex regulator for skill education in India.
Our core objective is to create a national platform for skill development in the automotive sector. This involves developing industry-aligned training curricula, establishing rigorous assessment and certification processes and ensuring that training programmes meet global standards. Ultimately, skill development contributes to higher productivity within the industry, which leads to capital creation and economic growth. As businesses expand and reinvest their resources, this generates further employment opportunities. Another key focus area for us is integrating skill-based education within mainstream academic pathways, a vision that has been strongly reinforced by the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
Q2. Over the last decade, how do you assess the progress made in India’s skill development ecosystem?
India has a long history of vocational training through institutions such as Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), which were established soon after independence. These institutions have played an important role in producing skilled manpower for engineering and manufacturing sectors.
However, the last decade has been particularly significant for the skill development landscape in India. With the launch of the national Skill India mission, the government brought skill development into mission mode. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, multiple ministries, agencies and training institutions have come together under a common framework to strengthen vocational education.
This coordinated effort has created a strong momentum in the skill development ecosystem. At the same time, it is important to recognise that India is still in the early stages of building a fully mature vocational training system.
Within the automotive sector specifically, we see a large number of training initiatives being undertaken by vehicle manufacturers, component manufacturers and dealership networks. While these initiatives are valuable, there is significant scope to scale them further and create more structured pathways for skill development.
India’s automotive industry is globally competitive, with many international brands operating in the country. These companies maintain very high standards when it comes to workforce capabilities. One of the concerns often raised by industry is that graduates from engineering colleges, polytechnics and ITIs sometimes lack the practical skills required for immediate employment.
This is precisely where organisations like ASDC play a critical role. By working closely with industry, we identify skill gaps and develop training programmes that address those gaps. Our work includes curriculum development, training of trainers, development of learning content, candidate assessment and certification.
Q3. What initiatives is ASDC taking to ensure that its curriculum remains contemporary and globally relevant?
Our curriculum framework is built upon National Occupational Standards (NOS), which define the competencies required for specific job roles in the automotive sector. These standards form the foundation for developing qualification packs and training curricula.
The qualification framework and associated curricula are reviewed and approved by the National Skill Qualifications Committee under NCVET. This ensures that training programmes meet national standards and remain aligned with industry expectations.
At regular intervals, we undertake comprehensive reviews of our curriculum with the support of industry experts. These experts come from various segments of the automotive ecosystem, including manufacturing, servicing, supply chain and emerging technology domains. Their inputs help ensure that every qualification and training programme reflects real-world industry requirements.
In recent years, we have incorporated several emerging areas into our curriculum. These include electric mobility, Industry 4.0 technologies, sustainability practices, vehicle diagnostics and safety systems.
In addition to entry-level training programmes, we are increasingly focusing on upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce. As technology evolves, professionals who are already working in the industry must continuously update their skills to remain relevant.
Given the pace at which automotive technologies are advancing, curriculum development is not a one-time exercise. It is a continuous process that evolves alongside the industry.
Q4. Safety remains a major concern within the automotive ecosystem. How can the industry address safety challenges more effectively?
Safety is a critical aspect of the automotive sector, and it can broadly be viewed in two dimensions: industrial safety and road safety. Industrial safety relates to the safety of workers within manufacturing plants, workshops and service facilities. Employees involved in vehicle manufacturing, component production or vehicle servicing must follow strict safety protocols.
This aspect of safety has become even more important with the increasing electrification of vehicles. Electric vehicles operate on high-voltage systems, which can pose serious risks if proper safety procedures are not followed. Therefore, all our training programmes place significant emphasis on safety standards and best practices related to specific job roles.
The second dimension is road safety. Road safety involves both preventive measures and post-accident response mechanisms. Preventive measures include awareness programmes that educate people about responsible driving behaviour, traffic regulations and safe mobility practices.
ASDC has been actively working on awareness initiatives at colleges and educational institutions, where young drivers can be sensitised to road safety principles. In addition, we are exploring programmes related to first responder training so that individuals can respond effectively in the event of a road accident and help reduce fatalities.
Q5. What major technological trends do you expect to shape the automotive sector by 2026 and beyond?
Today’s vehicles are increasingly becoming sophisticated digital platforms. Modern automobiles contain a significant amount of electronic hardware and software systems, whether they are two-wheelers, passenger vehicles or commercial vehicles.
In recent years, the automotive industry experienced supply challenges due to semiconductor shortages. While the situation has improved, the increasing reliance on electronic components highlights how deeply technology is embedded in modern vehicles.
Another major trend is the rapid advancement of software and computing capabilities within vehicles. Improvements in computing power, communication speeds and the adoption of 5G connectivity are enabling new forms of vehicle intelligence.
Connected vehicles are already becoming a reality. Many manufacturers can now monitor the performance and location of vehicles through remote systems. These systems can even predict maintenance requirements and detect potential issues before they escalate.
Technology is also transforming logistics and transportation. Road transport remains the backbone of India’s logistics sector, and digital tools are helping drivers, fleet owners and logistics managers optimise operations and respond quickly to unexpected situations.
Electric mobility will continue to expand as battery technologies improve and charging infrastructure becomes more widespread. At the same time, research is progressing in areas such as hydrogen fuel cells and solar-powered mobility solutions.
For young professionals, this presents tremendous opportunities. Individuals who continuously upgrade their skills will find exciting career prospects in the automotive sector, both in India and globally.
Q6. If a student wants to pursue training in the automotive sector through ASDC, what is the process?
ASDC functions as an awarding body and does not directly operate training centres. Instead, we affiliate training institutions that deliver automotive skill programmes based on our curriculum framework.
Currently, more than 300 active training institutions across India are affiliated with ASDC. These institutions offer training in various automotive domains, ranging from vehicle servicing and diagnostics to emerging technologies.
Students who are interested in exploring career opportunities in the automotive sector can visit our dedicated career guidance platform at careerguide.asdc.org.in. This platform provides detailed information about different job roles, career pathways and training opportunities available within the automotive industry.
The platform also helps students understand how specific training programmes can lead to long-term career progression. It provides insights into training centres located across different regions of the country.
Students can also submit queries through the contact section of the ASDC website. Our team then guides them in selecting the appropriate training programme and identifying the nearest training centre offering that programme.
