Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches NIELIT Digital University Platform in New Delhi

On October 2, 2025, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Railways (MoR), launched the ‘NIELIT Digital University (NDU)’, operated by the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT), in New Delhi, Delhi.

• The NDU, a digital platform for advanced technology education, is designed to democratize access to high-quality digital learning.

Highlights of the event:

Participation: The event witnessed the virtual participation of Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of Parliament (MPs), including Vijendra Chaudhary, MLA (Muzaffarpur), Kedar Prasad Gupta, Panchayati Raj Minister, Bihar, Pratap Chandra Sarangi, MP, Balasore, T. Lalhlimpuia, MLA, Lunglei West, Umesh Bhai Patel, MP, Daman, and Maddila Gurumoorthy, MLA, Tirupati.

NIELIT Centres: During the event Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw virtually inaugurated five new NIELIT Centres in places such as Muzaffarpur (Bihar), Balasore (Odisha), Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh, AP), Daman in the Union Territory (UT) of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (DNHDD), and Lunglei (Mizoram).

MoUs signed: NIELIT signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with industry leaders to co-create training programs. It includes:

• Microsoft for digital skilling and education technologies
• Zscaler, a cloud security company, for cybersecurity programs
• Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy (CCRYN), for technology integration in health and wellness education
• Dixon Technologies (Dixon Tech), for electronics and manufacturing training
• Future Crime for cybercrime and security training.

Panel Discussion: Following the launch event, a panel discussion was held on the theme “Role of AI in Digitalization of Education”.

• The discussion focused on aligning skilling initiatives with industry and market demands, expanding Work-Based Learning (WBL) opportunities, and Strengthening pathways for employability of Indian youth.

About NDU Platform:

Aim: The NDU platform, an initiative under NIELIT, an autonomous body under MeitY aims to provide affordable, inclusive, and employment-oriented digital education.

Areas: The platform will offer specialized courses in areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Data Science, Cloud Computing, and Semiconductors, and will utilize flexible digital learning modes and virtual labs to help students gain future-ready skills.

Goals: The initiative seeks to support the initiatives of Government of India (GoI) such as Digital India, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and Skill India.

Courses: The platform offers courses aligned with National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and approved by National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), with credit transfer via the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC).

• Its features include industry-linked programs, virtual labs, multilingual learning, and digital certificates. AI-powered tools such as career pathways, mentors, interview simulators, and interactive modules will guide learners, with an aim to train 40 lakh students by 2030.

About NIELIT: NIELIT, based in New Delhi, has trained millions in emerging Electronics and Information and Communications Technology (E&ICT), with 56 centres, over 750 accredited institutes, and over 9,000 facilitation centres.

• It is recognized as a “Deemed to be University” by the Ministry of Education (MoE). Its main campus is based in Ropar (Punjab) with 11 constituent campuses across India.

About Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY):
Union Minister – Ashwini Vaishnaw (Rajya Sabha – Odisha)
Minister of State (MoS) – Jitin Prasada (Constituency – Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, UP)