Sikkim government introduces bill to establish Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University

The Sikkim Government has introduced a new bill in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly to establish the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University Sikkim. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University Sikkim Bill, 2025, aims to set up a dedicated skill development university to provide higher education with a focus on entrepreneurial and job-oriented courses.

The proposed university will offer education in various fields, including management, engineering, law, information technology, communication, medical sciences, nursing, insurance, behavioral science, fine arts, and more. The Skill Initiatives and Assessment Council (SIAC), a non-government organization, will be the sponsoring body of the university.

According to the bill, the university’s headquarters will be located in Namcheybung, Pakyong District, Sikkim. The university aims to provide world-class infrastructure and international collaborations to enhance skill-based education in the state.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University Sikkim Bill, 2025, outlines the structure, governance, and operational framework of the university. Some key points mentioned in the bill are:

1. The university will be a private institution and will not receive grants from the state or central government.

2. Admissions will be merit-based, and at least 10% of seats will be reserved for students from Sikkim.

3. The university will have regional centers and study centers across the state to provide education at multiple locations.

4. It will function as a non-affiliating university, meaning it will not provide affiliation to other colleges but will operate its own constituent colleges.

5. A Governing Body, Board of Management, and Academic Council will oversee its administration.

One of the main goals of the university is to offer practical training and job-oriented courses that align with industry demands. The university plans to:

• Collaborate with industries for hands-on training, apprenticeships, and job placements.

• Establish training centers, model skill centers, and centers of excellence to enhance vocational education.

• Develop a National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)-aligned curriculum to meet national and international skill standards.

The bill states that the university will have an Endowment Fund of ₹2 crore, which will be pledged to the Government of Sikkim. It will also establish a General Fund that will include:

• Fees collected from students.

• Contributions from the sponsoring body.

• Donations and grants from industries or private organizations.

The university will also have to meet strict regulatory guidelines, including obtaining accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) within seven years of its establishment.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has said that the university will play a crucial role in equipping the youth of Sikkim with the necessary skills for employment and entrepreneurship. The government believes this initiative will boost the state’s economy, reduce unemployment, and make Sikkim a hub for skill-based education.

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Skill University Sikkim Bill, 2025, will now be discussed in the Sikkim Legislative Assembly before it is passed into law. Once approved, the university is expected to begin operations after receiving authorization from the state government.