India’s largest iron ore producer, NMDC Limited, has marked a major milestone in skill development by celebrating 100% placement of its first batch of 80 trained youth from the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh. The achievement reinforces NMDC’s commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat, inclusive growth, and nation building through focused skill development initiatives.
The programme was implemented under NMDC’s Skill Development initiative as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, in partnership with the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology (CIPET). The initiative aims to empower unemployed and underprivileged tribal youth from Bastar by equipping them with industry-relevant skills and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
The felicitation and interaction session was held in the presence of NMDC’s senior leadership, including Chairman and Managing Director Shri Amitava Mukherjee, Director (Technical) and Director (Commercial – Additional Charge) Shri Vinay Kumar, and Director (Production) and Director (Personnel – Additional Charge) Shri Joydeep Dasgupta, along with senior officials from NMDC and CIPET.
The trainees came from districts such as Dantewada, Bastar, Sukma, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Bijapur. Many shared that the programme not only provided employment but also gave them confidence to step into formal jobs and support their families independently.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Amitava Mukherjee said that the success of the programme highlights the transformative power of opportunity. “This is not just about jobs. It is about young people realising their place in the country’s growth story,” he said, adding that skilling youth remains central to building an Atmanirbhar Bastar and a Viksit Bharat.
The programme follows an inclusive eligibility model, with a minimum qualification of Class 8, ensuring access for school dropouts and economically weaker sections. Under the NMDC–CIPET partnership, 500 youth from Bastar and Dantewada districts will receive fully funded skill training, strengthening employability and the local workforce.
