Adult Skill Assessment Survey

Why in News?

India will conduct its first nationwide Adult Skill Assessment Survey in 2026. The survey is aimed at generating comprehensive data on skill competencies among adults aged 18 years and above. The survey is expected to fill a long-standing data gap in workforce assessment. It will also guide reforms under the Skill India Programme.

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What is the Adult Skill Assessment Survey?

The survey will be conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) using the Comprehensive Modular Survey (CMS) framework, following a request from the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

• Coverage: Population aged 18 years and above
• Duration: Around three months
• Assessment Levels:
  • Basic skills
  • Intermediate skills
  • Advanced skills

Unlike conventional labour surveys, this exercise will directly evaluate skill proficiency, not merely educational attainment or certification status.

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Why is the Survey Critically Needed?

1. Demographic Imperative

India’s working-age population (15–59 years) is projected to reach nearly 69% by 2030, creating a narrow window to convert population advantage into economic growth.

2. Blind Spot in Existing Data

The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) only records whether individuals have received vocational or technical training. It does not measure:

• Skill depth
• Job readiness
• Applicability of training in real work conditions

This limits evidence-based policymaking.

3. Skill–Employability Mismatch

• Nearly three-fourths of workers have only basic education
• Graduate employability stands at around 55%
• Rising training numbers have not translated proportionately into jobs

The new survey aims to diagnose this disconnect.

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Linkage with Skill India Programme Reforms

The survey comes alongside the restructured Skill India Programme (SIP), extended till March 2026, which integrates:

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0)

• 400+ courses in AI, cybersecurity, drones, green hydrogen, 5G
• Emphasis on reskilling, upskilling, and international mobility
• Strong alignment with NSQF, DigiLocker, and National Credit Framework

Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (PM-NAPS)

• Apprenticeship expansion in Industry 4.0 sectors
• Government stipend support via DBT
• Focus on MSMEs, aspirational districts, and North-East

Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)

• Community-based skilling for women, rural youth, and informal workers
• Supports lifelong learning and social inclusion

The Adult Skill Assessment Survey will act as a feedback loop, allowing these schemes to be recalibrated based on real skill outcomes.

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Policy Significance and Value Addition

• Enables evidence-based skilling policy, similar to OECD’s PIAAC survey
• Helps shift focus from certificate-driven to competency-driven skilling
• Supports better alignment between education, industry demand, and wages
• Strengthens India’s global labour mobility by benchmarking skill standards

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Conclusion

India’s first Adult Skill Assessment Survey represents a decisive move toward data-driven human capital governance. By accurately mapping workforce capabilities, the survey can transform skilling from a numbers-driven exercise into a productivity-led strategy—critical for inclusive growth, job creation, and sustaining India’s demographic advantage.

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Relevance of Adult Skill Assessment for UPSC

Source: Economic Times, PIB