Lucknow erupted with significant legislative action on Thursday as the Uttar Pradesh Assembly’s budget session for 2026-27 tackled key reforms in higher education, skill development, and job creation. Two pivotal bills—the Uttar Pradesh State Universities (Amendment) Bill 2026 and the Uttar Pradesh State Universities (Second Amendment) Bill 2026—were tabled and passed with majority support after robust debate.
Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay, presenting the bills, emphasized the Yogi Adityanath government’s unwavering commitment to transforming the state’s higher education system into a model of efficiency, transparency, and excellence. ‘These amendments will fortify administrative and academic frameworks, ensuring students thrive in superior learning environments,’ he declared. The assembly’s approval marks a milestone in streamlining university governance.
Parallel to these reforms, the government unveiled ambitious skill development initiatives under the UP Skill Development Mission. At the Rajkiya ITI Aliganj in Lucknow, free training programs in the automotive sector have been launched. Aspiring ‘Automotive Assembly Operators’ (320 hours) and ‘Electric Vehicle Maintenance Technicians’ (420 hours) can apply if they have cleared 10th, 12th, or ITI exams and are at least 18 years old. Seats are reserved for women and differently-abled candidates, with placements guaranteed post-training on a first-come, first-served basis.
MSME Minister Rakesh Sachan highlighted the resounding success of the One District One Product (ODOP) scheme, launched in 2018, which has generated jobs for 316,000 people. Over 131,000 artisans received free training and toolkits. In Saharanpur alone, 2,275 craftsmen got advanced toolkits, while 454 handicraft workers accessed Rs 16.26 crore in margin money. With a Rs 200 crore allocation this fiscal year, ODOP has propelled UP’s exports from Rs 86,000 crore in 2017-18 to Rs 1.86 lakh crore, half attributed to ODOP and handicrafts.
Boasting 79 GI-tagged products, the initiative is cementing UP’s global brand. These strides in education reform, skill enhancement, and traditional industry promotion underscore the state’s drive toward self-reliance and employment generation, setting a blueprint for India’s growth story.