India and France have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their cooperation in skill development and vocational education, marking a fresh phase in bilateral collaboration aimed at preparing youth for the global workforce.
Signed during the Bharat SkillNxt 2025 event at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, the MoU establishes a working partnership between India’s Directorate General of Training (DGT) and France’s Campus des Métiers et Qualifications (CMQ). The focus spans a range of sectors including fashion, hospitality, tourism, arts and crafts, energy, aeronautics, and media.
The agreement lays the foundation for joint curriculum development, faculty and trainer exchange programs, and training initiatives that incorporate French language skills. A notable feature of the MoU is the plan to create “Franco-Indian vocational campuses,” envisioned as hubs linking Indian institutions with France’s vocational education ecosystem. These could be supported by industry partners from both countries.
Speaking at the signing, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Education, noted that the collaboration would help “build a truly global, future-ready workforce.”
H.E. Thierry Mathou, France’s Ambassador to India, described the agreement as “a commitment to empower youth, foster innovation, and promote social mobility.”
The MoU also aims to promote cross-country internships and apprenticeships, with an explicit emphasis on gender inclusion and equitable access. A joint working group, co-chaired by India’s Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and the French Embassy in New Delhi, will steer the implementation and monitor progress.
On the French side, the initiative involves three ministries—National Education, Labour, and Foreign Affairs—while MSDE represents India’s efforts. The partnership builds on earlier Indo-French cooperation agreements, dating back to 1966.
