NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu has announced a ‘One Degree, Six Skills’ initiative, as part of which undergraduate students across the state’s 181 government arts and science colleges will learn at least one job-oriented skill alongside their regular degree course every semester.
The programme is expected to be launched from the even semester in January 2027 and is intended to add industry-oriented training to the existing academic curriculum.
The programme runs on the basis of one-skill-per-semester model.
Developed in association with the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE), the initiative intends to train students in six additional industry-oriented skills by the time they complete their graduation.
The skill training will be imparted, alongside the students’ main degree rather than replacing the existing course of study.
Naan Mudhalvan
The initiative was earlier described as the “One Skill Per Semester” programme, Naan Mudhalvan. The current framing — “One Degree, Six Skills” describes the intended outcome as one regular degree along with six additional skills over three years.
The programme is meant for all undergraduate students studying in Tamil Nadu’s government arts and science colleges.According to the Directorate of Collegiate Education’s official website, the scheme covers all the 181 colleges.
20 skill courses identified
The government has identified 20 skill courses across humanities and basic science disciplines. It is preparing a basket from which colleges will identify the skills they want to offer.
Each skill course will involve 30 to 45 hours of learning. Colleges will identify their skill courses over the next three months and nominate an expert trainer for each course.
These courses will not have a conventional written examination. Assessment will instead focus on practical application. The reported assessment structure gives 40% weightage to skill exercises, 30% to individual competency and 30% to a final demonstrable output.
Students are expected to demonstrate what they can do with the skills rather than simply reproduce information in a written test.
Industry collaboration
The scheme also has an industry-academia component. Government colleges have been told to sign MoUs with at least three leading industries, while departments are expected to work with companies in their respective sectors.
The industry partners will provide inputs for curriculum updates and creating opportunities for internships and placements.