The Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSE&L), Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), and the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), as part of a whole-of-government effort to integrate vocational education with the formal schooling system in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on July 18, organized a National Workshop on Onboarding State/UT Education Boards as Dual Category Awarding Bodies under NCVET.
It witnessed participation from over 150 delegates, including senior officers from 24State and UT education boards. The event also served as the culmination of a series of virtual consultations, state-specific discussions, and coordination meetings that had been held over the past few weeks.
The key objective of the workshop was to guide and support State Boards in completing their applications for NCVET recognition as Dual Category Awarding Bodies — a status that authorises them to conduct both training and assessment for vocational courses, aligned with NSQF standards. Unlike standard Awarding Bodies that only conduct training and certify, Dual Category ABs are empowered to offer end-to-end vocational education services including assessment of learners, thereby placing the State Boards at the heart of the skilling ecosystem in their respective states.
The Dual Category Awarding Body model brings multiple advantages. It offers government endorsement in the national vocational education and training (VET) ecosystem, provides access to NCVET-aligned qualifications, improves recognition among employers and higher education institutions, and allows school boards to expand the scope and quality of their educational offerings. With the help of frameworks such as the National Credit Framework, Academic Bank of Credits, and National Curriculum Framework, State Boards will now be better positioned to design, deliver, and assess courses till NSQF 4 — levels most relevant for grassroots skilling and employment.
Addressing the workshop, Rajit Punhani, Secretary, MSDE, said, “As we move to elevate the profile of NCVET, our aim is not only to expand its reach but to ensure it becomes a benchmark of quality and integrity in the skills ecosystem. With State Boards now stepping into the role of Dual Category Awarding Bodies, the responsibility is immense. It is no longer just about conducting examinations, but about upholding high standards in vocational training, pedagogy, and outcomes. This is a moment to redefine our collective identity—to make every training course and every certificate issued stand for excellence.”
Through a series of structured sessions, participants were introduced to NCVET regulations, and the benefits and responsibilities of Dual Category recognition. The workshop also included a dedicated hands-on segment where NCVET consultants provided one-on-one technical support and live demonstrations to help States complete their applications on the spot. As a result, 24 States successfully initiated the NCVET recognition process as Dual Category Awarding Bodies, and 06 States—Goa, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and Nagaland— completed and submitted their application forms. During the workshop, the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (GBSHSE) shared its experiences as a case study, offering practical insights into the onboarding journey.
