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India Labour Observatory

India Labour ObservatoryData & Methods PLFS 2025Vocational training

Vocational training

Who is trained, in what, for how long, paid by whom and given by whom, and what training does for work.

12 tables, from the records of the Periodic Labour Force Survey, January to December 2025, each cell with its standard error. 4 of the 4 figures of this section that MoSPI's press note prints are reproduced at the printed decimal.

Table 10.1Persons aged 15-59 by vocational or technical training received

Persons aged 15-59. per cent. Received or receiving (block 4 col 17).

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Formal vocational or technical training	4.70.1	3.80.1	4.20.1	3.70.1	2.70.1	3.20.1	6.50.2	6.10.1	6.30.1
Hereditary	13.30.2	9.90.2	11.60.2	18.20.3	13.20.3	15.70.2	3.90.1	3.00.1	3.40.1
Self-learning	11.50.2	6.50.1	9.00.1	11.20.2	6.90.2	9.00.2	12.10.2	5.60.2	8.90.2
Learning on the job	20.60.2	5.20.1	12.80.1	17.20.2	4.40.1	10.70.1	27.10.3	6.90.1	17.20.2
Other non-formal training	4.20.1	2.90.1	3.50.1	3.60.1	2.80.1	3.20.1	5.40.2	3.00.1	4.30.1
No vocational training	45.70.2	71.70.2	58.90.2	46.10.3	70.00.3	58.30.3	45.00.3	75.40.3	59.90.3

Table 10.2Persons with formal vocational or technical training, by age

Persons of each age group. per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
15-29	5.30.1	4.70.1	5.00.1	4.50.1	3.70.1	4.10.1	6.90.2	7.00.2	7.00.2
30-59	4.20.1	3.20.1	3.70.1	3.10.1	2.00.1	2.50.1	6.30.2	5.50.1	5.90.1
15-59	4.70.1	3.80.1	4.20.1	3.70.1	2.70.1	3.20.1	6.50.2	6.10.1	6.30.1

Table 10.3Persons aged 15-59 with formal vocational or technical training, by education

Persons aged 15-59 at each level. per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Not literate	0.20.0	0.10.0	0.10.0	0.20.1	0.10.0	0.10.0	0.30.1	0.20.1	0.20.0
Literate, without formal schooling	0.50.5	0.70.5	0.60.4	0.00.0	0.20.2	0.10.1	2.12.1	1.71.7	1.91.3
Below primary	0.50.1	0.60.1	0.50.1	0.30.1	0.40.1	0.40.1	0.90.3	1.30.5	1.10.3
Primary	0.60.1	0.70.1	0.70.1	0.50.1	0.60.1	0.50.1	1.00.2	1.10.1	1.10.1
Middle	0.80.1	1.60.1	1.20.1	0.70.1	1.20.1	0.90.0	1.20.2	2.60.2	1.80.1
Secondary	2.40.1	3.00.1	2.70.1	1.90.1	2.50.2	2.20.1	3.40.2	3.80.2	3.60.1
Higher secondary	6.00.2	6.40.2	6.20.2	5.40.2	5.80.3	5.60.2	6.90.4	7.40.3	7.10.2
Diploma or certificate	30.70.9	27.91.3	29.90.7	33.91.3	29.92.0	32.91.1	26.71.1	25.61.6	26.40.9
Graduate	12.90.3	12.40.3	12.60.2	12.70.4	11.70.5	12.20.3	13.00.4	12.90.4	13.00.3
Postgraduate and above	16.60.6	16.10.5	16.30.4	18.11.0	18.01.0	18.10.8	15.60.7	15.10.6	15.40.5

Table 10.4The formally trained by field of training

The formally trained aged 15-59 with block 4.1 particulars (from July, those whose training is over). per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Aerospace and aviation	0.10.0	0.00.0	0.10.0	0.10.1	0.00.0	0.10.0	0.20.1	0.10.1	0.10.0
Agriculture and food processing	0.60.1	0.50.1	0.60.1	0.90.2	0.60.1	0.80.1	0.30.1	0.40.1	0.40.1
Allied manufacturing (gems, leather, rubber, furniture, printing)	0.40.1	0.50.1	0.40.1	0.40.1	0.90.3	0.60.1	0.40.1	0.20.1	0.30.1
Artisan, handicraft and creative arts	0.60.1	1.80.2	1.20.1	0.60.1	2.00.3	1.20.2	0.70.1	1.70.2	1.10.1
Automotive	6.50.4	0.10.0	3.60.2	6.40.6	0.10.1	3.70.4	6.70.6	0.10.0	3.50.3
Beauty and wellness	0.30.1	7.80.4	3.70.2	0.30.1	5.90.5	2.80.2	0.20.0	9.60.5	4.60.3
Chemicals and petrochemicals	0.70.1	0.20.1	0.50.1	0.60.1	0.10.1	0.40.1	0.80.2	0.30.2	0.60.2
Civil engineering, construction and plumbing	3.70.2	0.30.1	2.20.1	3.40.3	0.30.1	2.00.2	4.00.3	0.40.1	2.30.2
Electrical, power and electronics	14.90.5	0.70.1	8.40.3	17.30.7	0.50.1	10.00.4	12.40.5	0.80.1	6.90.3
Healthcare and life sciences	4.10.2	6.80.4	5.30.2	4.10.4	7.30.6	5.50.3	4.00.3	6.40.4	5.20.3
Hospitality and tourism	1.00.1	1.00.1	1.00.1	0.90.1	1.00.2	0.90.1	1.10.2	1.00.2	1.00.1
Iron and steel, mining and infrastructure	1.10.2	0.00.0	0.60.1	1.30.4	0.00.0	0.80.2	0.80.1	0.00.0	0.50.1
IT and IT-enabled services	33.70.8	31.00.7	32.50.6	30.91.0	26.61.0	29.00.8	36.81.1	35.01.0	35.90.9
Logistics	0.50.1	0.10.0	0.30.1	0.50.2	0.00.0	0.30.1	0.40.1	0.20.1	0.30.1
Mechanical engineering and capital goods	5.40.3	0.30.1	3.00.2	5.50.4	0.30.1	3.20.3	5.20.4	0.30.1	2.90.2
Media and entertainment	0.60.1	0.30.1	0.50.1	0.20.1	0.40.2	0.30.1	1.10.2	0.30.1	0.70.1
Office and business work	5.10.4	5.60.4	5.30.3	4.20.5	5.50.7	4.80.4	6.10.7	5.70.4	5.90.4
Security	0.80.1	0.10.0	0.50.1	0.80.1	0.10.0	0.50.1	0.90.1	0.10.0	0.50.1
Telecom	0.40.1	0.30.1	0.40.1	0.30.1	0.50.2	0.40.1	0.50.1	0.20.1	0.40.1
Textiles, handlooms and apparel	1.00.2	24.80.7	11.90.4	1.00.2	30.11.2	13.70.6	1.10.4	19.80.8	10.00.4
Child care, nutrition and pre-school	1.10.1	2.50.2	1.70.1	1.20.2	2.70.3	1.90.2	0.90.2	2.40.3	1.60.2
Others	17.40.5	15.10.5	16.30.4	19.10.8	15.10.8	17.30.6	15.50.7	15.10.8	15.30.6

Table 10.5The formally trained by length of training

The formally trained aged 15-59 with block 4.1 particulars (from July, those whose training is over). per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Less than 3 months	9.50.5	11.40.5	10.40.4	9.00.7	12.80.8	10.70.5	10.10.7	10.00.8	10.00.6
3 to 6 months	27.80.7	38.40.8	32.60.7	26.11.0	39.11.3	31.81.0	29.71.0	37.71.0	33.50.9
6 to 12 months	19.00.5	24.00.7	21.30.5	17.60.7	22.20.9	19.60.6	20.40.7	25.70.9	22.90.7
12 to 18 months	12.60.4	11.90.4	12.30.3	13.50.7	11.80.7	12.70.5	11.50.5	12.10.6	11.80.4
18 to 24 months	8.90.4	4.30.3	6.80.3	9.80.5	4.20.4	7.40.4	8.00.5	4.40.5	6.30.4
24 months or more	22.20.6	10.00.4	16.60.4	23.90.9	9.90.7	17.80.6	20.30.8	10.10.6	15.40.6

Table 10.6The formally trained by type of training

The formally trained aged 15-59 with block 4.1 particulars (from July, those whose training is over). per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
On the job	8.50.4	4.10.2	6.50.3	8.10.6	3.80.3	6.30.4	9.00.6	4.40.3	6.80.4
Part-time course	23.20.8	29.70.9	26.20.7	20.40.9	28.21.5	23.81.0	26.21.3	31.01.2	28.51.1
Full-time course	68.30.8	66.20.9	67.30.7	71.51.0	67.91.4	69.91.0	64.81.3	64.61.2	64.71.1

Table 10.7The formally trained by who paid for it

The formally trained aged 15-59 with block 4.1 particulars (from July, those whose training is over). per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Government	17.70.5	19.10.6	18.40.5	19.70.8	21.71.0	20.50.7	15.70.7	16.70.7	16.20.6
Own or the household's	77.90.6	77.60.7	77.80.5	75.90.9	75.31.1	75.60.8	80.10.8	79.80.8	79.90.6
Others	4.40.3	3.20.3	3.80.2	4.50.5	3.00.4	3.80.4	4.30.4	3.50.3	3.90.3

Table 10.8The formally trained by who gave it

The formally trained aged 15-59 with block 4.1 particulars (from July, those whose training is over). per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
School or technical board	13.30.6	13.10.6	13.20.5	11.90.7	11.10.8	11.50.6	14.81.0	14.90.9	14.80.9
Industrial Training Institute	23.50.6	5.60.4	15.40.5	26.80.9	5.70.7	17.60.6	19.90.9	5.60.6	13.10.7
Polytechnic	2.10.2	0.90.1	1.50.1	2.10.3	0.90.2	1.50.2	2.10.2	0.90.1	1.50.1
NCVET awarding body or Sector Skill Council	15.10.6	19.20.8	17.00.5	15.50.8	20.11.3	17.50.8	14.70.8	18.40.9	16.50.7
University or college	17.30.6	15.30.6	16.40.5	16.80.8	15.10.9	16.10.8	17.80.8	15.50.8	16.70.7
Others	28.70.7	45.90.9	36.60.7	26.91.0	47.21.3	35.70.9	30.81.1	44.71.1	37.41.0

Table 10.9Worker population ratio of persons aged 15-59, by vocational training

Persons aged 15-59. per cent. Formal: received, less those still in training (col 19 code 1, July-December), as the press note reads it.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Formal training	83.30.6	51.40.7	68.80.5	84.70.6	53.81.2	71.20.7	81.81.0	49.10.9	66.30.7
Non-formal training only	98.00.1	80.40.4	92.10.1	98.40.1	83.70.4	93.10.2	97.40.1	70.00.7	90.00.3
No vocational training	61.80.3	28.50.2	41.30.2	63.70.3	34.40.3	45.70.3	58.10.4	17.00.3	32.70.3

Table 10.10Labour force participation rate of persons aged 15-59, by vocational training

Persons aged 15-59. per cent. Formal: received, less those still in training (col 19 code 1, July-December), as the press note reads it.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Formal training	90.30.5	58.40.7	75.80.4	90.70.5	60.91.2	77.70.6	89.80.8	56.10.9	73.80.6
Non-formal training only	98.70.1	80.90.4	92.70.1	98.90.1	84.10.4	93.50.2	98.30.1	71.00.7	90.90.2
No vocational training	66.80.2	30.00.2	44.10.2	68.00.3	35.60.3	48.10.2	64.30.4	19.00.3	36.30.3

Table 10.11Unemployment rate of persons aged 15-59, by vocational training

Persons aged 15-59. per cent. Formal: received, less those still in training (col 19 code 1, July-December), as the press note reads it.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Formal training	7.70.5	12.10.6	9.20.4	6.60.4	11.80.9	8.40.4	8.90.8	12.40.9	10.10.6
Non-formal training only	0.60.0	0.70.0	0.60.0	0.50.0	0.50.0	0.50.0	0.90.1	1.40.1	1.00.1
No vocational training	7.40.1	4.90.1	6.40.1	6.40.2	3.40.1	5.00.1	9.50.2	10.30.3	9.80.2

Table 10.12Unemployment rate of the formally trained (15-59), by field of training

The formally trained aged 15-59 with block 4.1 particulars (from July, those whose training is over). per cent.

MenWomenEveryone All India. PLFS 2025, computed by the observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records.

every table, unrounded

	All India			Rural			Urban
	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone	Men	Women	Everyone
Aerospace and aviation	0.70.8	0.00.0	0.70.7	0.00.0		0.00.0	1.31.4	0.00.0	1.21.2
Agriculture and food processing	5.02.2	9.14.7	6.32.1	2.92.2	9.56.5	4.52.3	13.26.1	8.66.8	10.94.7
Allied manufacturing (gems, leather, rubber, furniture, printing)	4.33.2	0.00.0	2.51.9	8.56.1	0.00.0	3.72.8	0.00.0	0.00.0	0.00.0
Artisan, handicraft and creative arts	5.02.2	6.33.2	5.82.2	4.43.3	6.24.6	5.63.3	5.52.9	6.44.2	6.02.7
Automotive	1.60.7	6.67.1	1.70.7	1.81.1	100.00.0	1.81.1	1.50.7	0.00.0	1.50.7
Beauty and wellness	10.29.4	6.41.2	6.61.5	15.013.4	7.22.5	8.03.4	0.00.0	5.91.3	5.71.2
Chemicals and petrochemicals	2.41.3	4.13.8	2.71.2	2.72.0	4.45.1	2.81.9	2.21.6	4.14.2	2.61.6
Civil engineering, construction and plumbing	8.41.7	13.86.9	8.61.6	7.42.2	12.89.4	7.72.1	9.22.5	14.39.4	9.52.4
Electrical, power and electronics	7.70.7	29.97.0	8.20.7	7.91.0	26.812.0	8.21.0	7.41.1	31.88.4	8.21.1
Healthcare and life sciences	4.11.9	8.81.7	6.51.2	5.63.5	10.02.8	7.82.2	2.40.7	7.61.7	5.21.0
Hospitality and tourism	7.32.6	9.03.0	8.02.0	11.45.0	11.25.2	11.33.6	3.71.6	7.03.0	5.01.5
Iron and steel, mining and infrastructure	2.20.9	43.334.7	3.11.3	1.31.0	100.00.0	2.92.0	3.71.5	0.00.0	3.61.5
IT and IT-enabled services	10.81.1	22.51.4	14.50.9	9.61.0	27.42.7	15.01.1	11.81.9	18.51.4	14.01.4
Logistics	2.31.7	22.815.3	4.72.5	2.52.6	0.00.0	2.42.5	1.92.0	29.319.9	7.54.7
Mechanical engineering and capital goods	7.61.3	20.310.4	8.01.3	5.41.4	26.716.6	6.11.4	10.22.2	10.86.4	10.22.1
Media and entertainment	3.71.5	11.98.3	5.01.9	2.92.4	23.616.2	9.05.4	3.91.8	0.00.0	3.51.6
Office and business work	5.71.1	15.83.1	9.41.4	3.11.2	13.54.8	6.71.9	7.81.7	17.44.0	11.42.0
Security	4.31.8	1.51.6	4.11.7	3.62.5	0.00.0	3.52.4	5.02.7	2.32.5	4.82.5
Telecom	9.86.2	6.15.0	8.64.6	0.00.0	5.35.4	3.03.0	14.38.7	11.811.3	14.18.2
Textiles, handlooms and apparel	3.93.0	2.40.6	2.50.6	1.31.3	1.80.8	1.80.8	6.76.2	3.20.7	3.60.9
Child care, nutrition and pre-school	4.12.3	1.90.7	2.81.0	1.81.2	1.91.0	1.90.8	7.65.3	1.90.9	4.02.1
Others	7.81.0	15.72.0	10.51.1	5.40.7	12.92.1	7.70.8	11.02.1	18.33.3	13.82.2

Computed by the India Labour Observatory from MoSPI's unit-level records of the Periodic Labour Force Survey, January to December 2025; Release 2026.10.