Strengthening India’s apparel manufacturing ecosystem and empowering rural youth with future-ready skills, the Chaudhary Ajit Singh Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Design and Fashion Technology, established by the Apparel, Made-Ups & Home Furnishing Sector Skill Council (AMHSSC), was last week inaugurated by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh.
Strategically located in western Uttar Pradesh, approximately 50 km from Delhi, the Centre of Excellence aims to bridge regional skill gaps by offering advanced training in apparel manufacturing, fashion design, and AI-enabled technologies. The facility will deliver industry-relevant courses such as AI in fashion design, 3D prototyping, smart cutting, supply chain management, pattern making, tailoring, and embroidery. Spread across approximately 9,000 square feet, the Centre has been developed with an investment of around ₹5 crore. It is equipped with three smart classrooms, 43 advanced sewing machines, including 8 AI-enabled machines, along with modern CAD-CAM systems, 3D design software, and advanced manufacturing tools.
The Centre is designed as a cutting-edge hub for skill development, innovation, and industry collaboration in the apparel and fashion technology sector. With its inauguration, eight courses have been launched, including Sewing Machine Operator, Self-Employed Tailor, Fashion Designing and Technology, along with several AI-enabled programmes.
The facility integrates digital solutions such as smart workstations, computerized embroidery units, and simulation-based learning platforms, creating an industry-like training environment.
Ashish Srivastava, CEO, AMHSSC, said, “Women are at the heart of India’s apparel industry, and this Centre of Excellence is designed to unlock their full potential. By providing access to advanced, AI-enabled training and modern infrastructure in a safe and inclusive environment, we aim to empower rural women with not just skills, but confidence and economic independence. This initiative will enable them to become job creators, entrepreneurs, and key contributors to their families and the nation’s growth.”
A key highlight of the Centre is its AI-enabled sewing machines, which can automatically detect fabric type and thickness such as cotton, jersey, woven, or twill and accordingly adjust parameters like foot pressure, stitching speed, and stitches per inch. This reduces manual intervention, enhances efficiency, minimizes defects like puckering, and reduces material wastage.
The Centre also features a highly automated CAD-CAM-enabled cutting lab equipped with advanced software for digital pattern making, marker planning, and CNC-based auto cutting, ensuring precision, optimal fabric utilization, and consistent quality aligned with global standards.
The initiative is expected to benefit lakhs of youth in the region, particularly from rural communities, by equipping them with industry-ready skills and enabling their participation in the growing apparel value chain.
The Centre is also expected to promote rural entrepreneurship, encourage MSME adoption of smart manufacturing technologies, and support sustainable growth in the textile and apparel ecosystem. With strong support from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and industry partners, the facility is poised to serve as a flagship model for next-generation skill development in India.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Padma Shri Dr. A. Sakthivel, Chairman, AMHSSC; and Mr. Ashish Srivastava, CEO, AMHSSC, along with senior government officials, industry leaders, and representatives from the textile and apparel sector.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “The launch of this AI-enabled Centre of Excellence in Bagpat is a significant step towards aligning skill development with emerging technologies. By bringing advanced apparel manufacturing training closer to rural youth, we are creating new opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation in western Uttar Pradesh.”
He further added, “The apparel sector is one of the largest employment generators in the country and contributes significantly to India’s GDP. The garment industry provides livelihoods to nearly 80 lakh people annually. For Uttar Pradesh, this represents a major opportunity, and initiatives like this Centre of Excellence will open new avenues for the youth of Baghpat and surrounding regions.”
