MNRE Launches Jaiv Urja Mitra Programme To Boost Bioenergy Skill Development Across 17 States

The Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bioenergy (SSS-NIBE), an autonomous body under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), has launched a new skill development initiative called the Jaiv Urja Mitra Skill Development Programme (JUMP). The programme aims to prepare India’s youth for employment in the fast-growing bioenergy sector. It focuses on building a trained workforce for the operation and maintenance of bioenergy plants, especially compressed biogas (CBG) units and biomass pellet manufacturing facilities.

As the nodal agency for this initiative, SSS-NIBE has invited Expressions of Interest from educational and research institutions to become empanelled Training Centres. These centres will be set up across 17 identified states, including Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. Both government and private institutions, such as universities, engineering colleges, polytechnics, and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) with experience in renewable energy, are eligible to apply.

Selected Training Centres must have proper infrastructure. This includes classrooms, specialized laboratories, and residential facilities to accommodate at least 30 participants per batch. The courses will be residential in nature and will run between 60 and 74 days, depending on the role.

The programme will offer training for four key job roles: Biomass Depot Operator, Agri-residue Aggregator, CBG Plant Technician, and Pellet/Briquette Plant Technician. In the first phase, the programme plans to train nearly 950 participants, including around 110 trainers. Special focus has been given to rural youth, unemployed individuals, women, and candidates from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe categories. At least 30 percent of the seats are reserved for women to promote gender inclusion in the bioenergy workforce.

The MNRE will fully fund the training programme. This includes course fees, assessment charges, and the cost of lodging and boarding for participants. Training Centres will receive payments in two stages—50 percent at the beginning of the programme and the remaining 50 percent after successful certification of the trainees.

To maintain quality and transparency, empanelled centres must use biometric attendance systems and IP-based camera monitoring during the training period. Institutions interested in becoming Training Centres must submit their applications by email to Jumpnibe@gmail.com

 before 5:30 PM on February 21, 2026. A non-refundable application fee of Rs 5,000 per centre is required.

The launch of JUMP is seen as a major step toward strengthening India’s bioenergy sector by creating a skilled and technically capable workforce to support the country’s renewable energy goals.