Rajesh Swaika
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
NSDC International
Rajesh Swaika is the Chief Financial Officer of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and NSDC International. Rajesh plays a key role in ensuring financial excellence in support of India’s skill development mission. With a strong background in financial leadership and strategic planning, he leads the organization’s financial management and investment strategies, ensuring the effective deployment of resources to empower individuals with industry-relevant skills.
With extensive experience in financial management, risk assessment, and capital optimization across complex organizational landscapes, Rajesh brings valuable insights to support sustainable growth and strengthen financial governance. At NSDC, he is instrumental in establishing robust financial frameworks and driving partnerships aligned with national development objectives.
Committed to innovation and inclusive growth, Rajesh leverages his financial expertise to drive transformative impact within India’s skilling ecosystem. In collaboration with NSDC’s leadership and operational teams, he remains focused on maximizing impact, enhancing efficiency, and contributing to the nation’s vision of a skilled and empowered workforce.
Mahendra Singh Payaal
As Chief Program Officer at the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Col. Mahendra Singh Payaal is a cross-functional senior executive, leading key government initiatives focused on enhancing India’s workforce capabilities. With a strong foundation in mission-driven policy advocacy and strategic project planning, he has been instrumental in the successful rollout of transformative national schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and PM-Vishwakarma.
Col. Payaal brings over three decades of experience across sectors including IT services, telecommunications and electronics, defense procurement, security, training and mentoring, and research. His ability to drive large-scale programs, combined with a sharp strategic focus and talent for mobilizing teams toward ambitious outcomes, defines his leadership approach.
Dedicated to national development and capacity building, Col. Payaal continues to champion initiatives that empower individuals, strengthen institutions, and contribute to a skilled and future-ready India.
Shreshtha Gupta
National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
NSDC International
Ms. Shreshtha Gupta is a distinguished technology leader, renowned for architecting future-ready digital ecosystems that drive innovation, enable scalable growth, and deliver long-term strategic impact.
As Chief Technology Officer at the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and NSDC International, she drives large-scale digital transformation initiatives that strengthen institutional resilience and elevate the nation’s skilling capabilities.
With a career spanning over 16 years, she has worked across key domains such as Retail & Supply Chain, Healthcare, and Information Technology, operating across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas, bringing a global perspective and cross-industry depth to her work.
At NSDC, she has designed and implemented the world’s first Digital Public Infrastructure for Skills and Education, a groundbreaking model now referenced globally for its innovation, scalability, and inclusivity. The DPI is now a cornerstone of NSDC’s digital strategy, driving nationwide scale and impact.
Recognizing its significance, Shreshtha was invited to present it to the Hon’ble President of India, highlighting its role in shaping the future of India’s workforce and digital economy. She heads a high-performing teams delivering next-generation platforms powered by Generative AI and hyperscale cloud architectures, aligned to India's digital and demographic advantage. She has forged strategic alliances with global technology leaders including Microsoft, AWS, Google, Oracle, Cisco, as well as multilateral organizations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, enabling rapid innovation and expanding the reach of NSDC’s digital services with unmatched agility. Under Shreshtha’s leadership, the technology vertical has evolved from a traditional cost center into a strategic profit center, delivering measurable revenue growth, driving digital business expansion, and unlocking new value streams for the organization. By operationalizing digital assets, monetizing platforms, and introducing scalable tech-driven service models, she has helped position technology as a core business enabler. Her focus on commercial viability, sustainable innovation, and outcome-based strategy has directly contributed to enhancing NSDC’s financial sustainability and market competitiveness.
Her leadership has been recognized at premier global platforms. She has shared her insights at United Nations, Geneva on Human-Centered Digital Transformation of Skills Development and has earned accolades such as ‘CTO of the Year’ by ASSOCHAM and ‘Leader of Tomorrow’ by ET Ascent. She also serves on the Governing Councils of several sectoral bodies, shaping policy and technological direction on a national scale. A passionate advocate for inclusive innovation, she served as a Jury Member on ‘Her Startup Show’, featured on OTT platforms like JIOHOTSTAR, inspiring and mentoring India’s next generation of women entrepreneurs across India. Beyond technology, she also champions equity and workplace integrity as Chairperson of NSDC and NSDCI’s Internal Complaints Committee (P.O.S.H.). Known for her strategic foresight, transformational leadership, execution excellence and inclusive vision, Shreshtha Gupta is widely regarded as one of the influential technology leaders advancing India’s digital transformation on the global stage.
Mr. Jitendra Thakker
NSDC Program Achieves 50 Million Trained Professionals
The Skill India Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 15, 2015, has reached a significant milestone by training over 50 million individuals across various skill development programs. This achievement underscores India's commitment to enhancing workforce capabilities, promoting employability, and strengthening industries through structured skilling initiatives.
Under flagship programs such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), NSDC has provided industry-relevant training, helping millions secure jobs in sectors like healthcare, IT, automotive, and manufacturing. The initiative also focuses on upskilling and reskilling the workforce, ensuring alignment with emerging industry demands.
The Skill India Mission has been instrumental in closing the skill gap, enabling youth, women, and marginalized communities to gain economic independence. With a strong network of training partners, digital skilling platforms, and global collaborations, NSDC continues to empower individuals and drive India toward becoming the skill capital of the world.
Empowering the Workforce Across Sectors
The Skill India initiative has impacted a wide range of industries, including healthcare, IT, automotive, construction, retail, and manufacturing. By collaborating with private sector companies, educational institutions, and government agencies, NSDC has helped align skill development programs with real-world industry needs. Additionally, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs have certified millions of workers who previously lacked formal credentials, enabling them to access better job opportunities.
Digital Skilling & Technology-Driven Learning
With the rapid rise of Industry 4.0, NSDC has expanded its focus on digital skilling, offering AI-driven learning pathways, online certification courses, and virtual apprenticeship programs. The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) plays a crucial role in delivering personalized, self-paced, and interactive training for learners across urban and rural areas.
Government Partners with NSDC to Boost Rural Employment
The Skill India Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 15, 2015, has reached a significant milestone by training over 50 million individuals across various skill development programs. This achievement underscores India's commitment to enhancing workforce capabilities, promoting employability, and strengthening industries through structured skilling initiatives.
Under flagship programs such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), NSDC has provided industry-relevant training, helping millions secure jobs in sectors like healthcare, IT, automotive, and manufacturing. The initiative also focuses on upskilling and reskilling the workforce, ensuring alignment with emerging industry demands.
The Skill India Mission has been instrumental in closing the skill gap, enabling youth, women, and marginalized communities to gain economic independence. With a strong network of training partners, digital skilling platforms, and global collaborations, NSDC continues to empower individuals and drive India toward becoming the skill capital of the world.
Empowering the Workforce Across Sectors
The Skill India initiative has impacted a wide range of industries, including healthcare, IT, automotive, construction, retail, and manufacturing. By collaborating with private sector companies, educational institutions, and government agencies, NSDC has helped align skill development programs with real-world industry needs. Additionally, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs have certified millions of workers who previously lacked formal credentials, enabling them to access better job opportunities.
Digital Skilling & Technology-Driven Learning
With the rapid rise of Industry 4.0, NSDC has expanded its focus on digital skilling, offering AI-driven learning pathways, online certification courses, and virtual apprenticeship programs. The Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) plays a crucial role in delivering personalized, self-paced, and interactive training for learners across urban and rural areas.
Women in Workforce: NSDC’s New Initiative for Women Entrepreneurs
The Skill India Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 15, 2015, has reached a significant milestone by training over 50 million individuals across various skill development programs. This achievement underscores India's commitment to enhancing workforce capabilities, promoting employability, and strengthening industries through structured skilling initiatives.
Under flagship programs such as Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), NSDC has provided industry-relevant training, helping millions secure jobs in sectors like healthcare, IT, automotive, and manufacturing. The initiative also focuses on upskilling and reskilling the workforce, ensuring alignment with emerging industry demands.
The Skill India Mission has been instrumental in closing the skill gap, enabling youth, women, and marginalized communities to gain economic independence. With a strong network of training partners, digital skilling platforms, and global collaborations, NSDC continues to empower individuals and drive India toward becoming the skill capital of the world.
Empowering the Workforce Across Sectors
The Skill India initiative has impacted a wide range of industries, including healthcare, IT, automotive, construction, retail, and manufacturing. By collaborating with private sector companies, educational institutions, and government agencies, NSDC has helped align skill development programs with real-world industry needs. Additionally, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) programs have certified millions of workers who previously lacked formal credentials, enabling them to access better job opportunities.
Our Impact
Ms. Sudha Keshari
Mr. B Thiagarajan
