The first batch of the newest central government service, the Indian Skill Development Services (ISDS), commenced their training at the Administrative Training Institute in Mysuru. This service has been specially created for the Training Directorate of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and is a Group A service. This is the first batch that is joining the ISDS cadre from the Indian Engineering Service examination conducted by the UPSC.

The induction of young talent as ISDS officers is one of the government’s initiatives to significantly strengthen the skill development ecosystem. The aim is to attract young and talented administrators towards institutionalising the skill development environment in the country.

Indian Skill Development Services

* The Indian Skill Development Services (ISDS) has 263 all-India posts. The cadre comprises of three posts at senior administrative grade, 28 posts at junior administrative grade, 120 posts at senior time scale and 112 posts at junior time scale.

* The purpose of instituting a formal service in the Group A category was initiated almost two years ago when the MSDE was formed and the Union Cabinet approved its creation on October 7, 2015. With notification of this service, the skill ecosystem is expected to get strengthened and modernised in line with the current scientific and industrial development.

* ISDS will be a Group A service where induction will take place through the Indian Engineering Service exam conducted by the UPSC. It is an attempt to attract young and talented administrators for skill development.

* The knowledge acquired by the engineers recruited will give new impetus to the government’s initiative to improve skill development and also efficient and effective implementation of the schemes.

* The ministry will be able to create a workforce of trained skill administrators who will enable India to achieve the goal of increased skilled youth.

* Administered training is key in tackling the big challenge of skilling Indians. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, skill development has become a priority with a hope that the Skill India mission will supply quality manpower. This is a step to meet the target of skilling 500 million people by 2022.

* The Training Directorate is involved in the implementation of various schemes like Craftsmen Training Scheme covering 126 trades, Apprenticeship Training Scheme covering 259 trades and Skill Development Initiative Scheme for the Modular Employable Skill covering 578 modules.

* The Training Directorate also conducts exams and awards certificates under the National Council of Vocational Training.

Background

* Article 312 provides for the creation of All India Services. An All India Service is different from Central and state services. Under Article 309, states are entitled to create their own civil services and lay down their conditions of service just like the Centre is entitled to create its own services, make recruitment and lay down service conditions.

* Thus, while Article 309 provides for separate jurisdiction for the Centre and states, Article 312 takes away to some extent the autonomy of states by vesting in the Centre the authority to create All India Services.

* However, the framers of the Constitution were anxious to see that the vesting of such authority in the Centre should be with the consent of a substantial majority of the representatives of the states.

* That is why Article 312 provides that an All India Service can be created only if the council of states (Rajya Sabha) declares, by resolution supported by not less than a two-thirds majority, that it is necessary in the national interest to create one or more such All India Services.

* Such a resolution should be considered as tantamount to an authority given by the states. When such a resolution is passed, Parliament is competent to constitute such an All India Service and lay down details related to it.