Kharagpur, August 2025 — IIT Kharagpur has taken a major step toward bridging India’s healthcare skills gap by launching the School for Skills: Healthcare and Technology. The new initiative is designed to train rural and semi-urban youth for essential roles in healthcare, equipping them with both academic knowledge and practical expertise.
With an initial intake of 150 students per year, the programme will nurture allied health professionals who can strengthen healthcare delivery at the community level, especially in underserved regions.
Courses with Industry-Ready Certification
The School will begin with three high-demand courses:
General Duty Assistant
Emergency Medical Technician – Basic
Phlebotomist
These short-term certificate programmes, aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF), will be nationally recognised and industry-relevant. Classes for the first batch are set to commence in November 2025.
All certifications will be issued under the Healthcare Sector Skill Council, in affiliation with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, giving graduates a competitive edge in the job market.
Vision and Impact
Highlighting the institute’s mission, Professor Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, said:
“The School for Skills: Healthcare and Technology at IIT Kharagpur is more than a training hub—it is a catalyst for change. By combining skill development with cutting-edge technology, we aim to build a healthcare workforce that can serve the last mile, transform rural healthcare delivery, and contribute to the nation’s vision of inclusive growth.”
Real-World Training and Deployment
Students will gain hands-on experience at the Syama Prasad Mukerji Super-Speciality Hospital on campus, as well as in partner hospitals and healthcare institutions.
Graduates will also participate in field trials and health data collection projects across rural West Bengal and other regions—contributing directly to the validation of healthcare technologies developed at IIT Kharagpur.
Looking Ahead
The institute plans to expand its course portfolio in the coming years, creating new opportunities for employment, especially for women and students from economically weaker sections.
By blending education, skill-building, and technology-driven innovation, IIT Kharagpur is positioning itself as a key driver in reshaping rural healthcare and empowering India’s next generation of healthcare professionals.
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