The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has approved the continuation of its Human Resource Development (HRD) Programme for the financial years 2026–27 to 2030–31. The programme has a total financial outlay of ₹258.83 crore and aims to develop a skilled workforce to support India’s renewable energy expansion and its target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.
Of the total allocation, ₹200 crore will support new initiatives during the five-year period, while ₹58.83 crore will meet committed liabilities from earlier HRD programmes. The initiative focuses on developing skilled professionals for the entire renewable energy value chain, including installation, operation, maintenance, research and policy development.
Short-term training and skill development will remain a major component of the programme. MNRE plans to achieve around 7 lakh man-days of training, benefiting approximately 12,500 individuals. Existing programmes such as Suryamitra for solar energy, Vayumitra for wind energy, Varunmitra for solar pumping, Jal Urja Mitra for small hydro and Biomitra for bio-energy will be expanded across the country.
The programme will also introduce hyper-localised training in 100 districts with significant renewable energy potential or installations. These programmes will include short-term courses, upskilling initiatives and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), allowing experienced workers to obtain formal industry certification.
For higher education and research, MNRE will provide 165 National Renewable Energy Fellowships over five years. The fellowships will support M.Tech, Ph.D. and post-doctoral research in specialised renewable energy areas. Students from the top 100 NIRF-ranked institutions will be eligible, with industry placements of four to 12 months intended to strengthen the connection between academic research and industry requirements.
The programme will also provide 250 internships with a monthly stipend of ₹20,000 for students from engineering, science, law and management disciplines.
Infrastructure development is another key area. Ten higher education institutions will receive grants of up to ₹1 crore each for laboratory upgrades. Fifty ITIs and polytechnics will receive grants of up to ₹40 lakh each for specialised equipment, solar panels and wind energy models. Pilot model classrooms equipped with simulation software and SCADA tools will also be established in leading renewable energy states, with support of ₹20 lakh per classroom.
In addition, five Renewable Energy Chairs will be established at premier universities with grants of ₹2 crore each.
MNRE will further develop a digital learning platform modelled on the iGOT platform for virtual training. A dedicated Trainee-Employer Connect portal will also be introduced to link certified renewable energy workers with employers, apprenticeships and recruitment opportunities, strengthening employment pathways in India’s growing clean energy sector.
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