Chandigarh, January 10:
In a significant move to position Punjab at the forefront of India’s defence manufacturing by align the state capabilities with national defence imperatives, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, on Saturday, organised a high-level Defence Skills Conclave, focused on skill development for Defence, Aerospace & Strategic Sectors. The conclave, presided over by Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora, served as a pivotal platform to architect a robust talent pipeline for the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The Conclave convened a distinguished gathering of Defence Secretary (GoI) Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. KAP Sinha, Principal Secretary Employment Generation, Skill Development & Training Ms. Alaknanda Dayal and senior policymakers, industry titans from leading Defence PSUs and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), heads of premier academic institutions, and skilling experts. The aim was to design a cohesive, industry-driven skilling ecosystem that meets the evolving technological demands of modern warfare and aerospace.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Aman Arora highlighted the state’s rich legacy in India’s defence, citing its contributions from the Mughal era to the present days. He stated that in today’s era of technological warfare, bravery must be complemented with cutting-edge skills. This conclave is CM Mann led Punjab Government’s commitment to transform Punjab into a premier hub which not only produce soldiers but also the highly skilled technologists and engineers to make the country ‘Atmanirbhar’ in defence manufacturing.
He also highlighted that the state contributes over 12% of the country’s soldiers despite having only 2% of the population, while pointing out that Punjab has a rich legacy in defence and is well-positioned to attract investment in the defence industry, with international airports in Mohali and Amritsar and one of India’s largest air force bases in Adampur, besides, conducive and business friendly policies and environment in the state. The government is working closely with industry leaders, educational institutions and stakeholders to identify skill gaps and develop targeted training programs for the defence sector, he added.
Highlighting Punjab’s potential to contribute significantly to India’s defence skilling efforts, Mr. Aman Arora stated, “In the coming times, if any state can serve the country the most in terms of skilling for defence—digitally, psychologically and emotionally—it is the Punjab.” He stressed the need for collaborative policy-making between industry and Central government to harness this potential and position Punjab as the nation’s steadfast shield.
Defence Secretary (GoI) Mr. Rajesh Kumar Singh lauded the Punjab Government for hosting the Conclave, calling it a step towards making India a global manufacturing hub. He emphasised creating strong skill eco-system and a diversified industrial base. He said that Punjab has immense potential in defence manufacturing as the state’s has a strong military tradition.
Mr. KAP Sinha and Ms Alaknanda Dayal assured full support from the state government to facilitate the investments in defence manufacturing sector, while underscoring the strategic importance of the defence, aerospace and strategic sectors in ensuring national security and driving economic growth also leading to more employment opportunities for the youth. The CS Mr. Sinha said that the Conclave will foster collaboration to drive innovation and self-reliance in India’s defence sector.
Meanwhile, the state government has signed MoUs with premier organisations including the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), NASSCOM, Microsoft, IBM, and 1M1B (1 Million for 1 Billion). These collaborations are designed to enhance the employability and technological adeptness of Punjab’s youth for high-value roles in defence and aerospace.
The conclave witnessed multidisciplinary participation from institutes like IIT Delhi, IIT Ropar, IIT Indore, Punjab Engineering College and Chandigarh University, alongside defence industry giants including Bharat Forge Ltd, Mahindra Defence Systems, L&T Defence, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Safran India. Notably, the event saw significant multi-state engagement, with delegates from Haryana, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and UP Defence Industrial Corridor, among others. The Defence Skills Conclave marks a transformative step in Punjab’s journey, positioning the state as a nucleus for creating a skilled, innovative and sustainable workforce ready to secure India’s future.
