Chhattisgarh’s CG ACE scheme and ₹800+ crore investment aim to boost coaching, campus infrastructure, and technical skills, enhancing youth employability.
The Chhattisgarh government is making a major push to build a future workforce. It has unveiled a new plan to strengthen coaching for competitive exams, expand campus infrastructure, and boost skill education among young people. The move aims to reshape the state’s education landscape.
Under the new Chhattisgarh Assistance for Competitive Exams (CG ACE) scheme, the government has set aside ₹38 crore. This fund will support free or subsidised coaching in key exams. These include NEET and JEE for medical and engineering, CLAT for law, UPSC and CGPSC for civil services, and exams for railways, banking and SSC jobs.
The state has also approved ₹731 crore in grants for state universities. Another ₹25 crore will go toward building 25 new college buildings. Officials say this will help unclog long waiting lists and improve campus infrastructure.
Investing in Technical and Digital Skills
The plan goes beyond coaching exams. Funding has been earmarked for technical and digital education too. This includes ₹38 crore to launch new Chhattisgarh Institute of Technology centres in seven cities. Another ₹50 crore will upgrade Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnic colleges.
Innovation and research will also get a boost. The budget includes ₹35 crore for the 36 Inc CG Innovation Centre and ₹20 crore for infrastructure at International Institute of Information Technology, Raipur. Officials say this will help students learn cutting-edge skills needed in modern jobs.
National Context: Skills Beyond Degrees
India’s push for skills is not limited to Chhattisgarh. At the National level, leaders have stressed that education must build real competencies, not just degrees.
At the Confederation of Indian Industry’s Annual Session 2023, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said schooling and skilling must go hand in hand. He told industry leaders that “education and skills are the mother track for India’s G20 presidency” and that industry must work with government to develop quality skills.
In a recent education summit report, Pradhan stressed that inclusive and equitable education lies at the heart of India’s vision for a developed nation. “Education must ensure equal opportunity and self-reliance for every child,” he said while inaugurating the Inclusive Education Summit 2026.
Union leaders have also backed breaking down rigid boundaries between formal education and skills. According to a government press note on vocational training, the aim is to give students early workplace exposure. Over 35 lakh students are now learning vocational skills in more than 25,000 schools. Officials described this as a pathway into higher education and jobs.
Why Coaching and Skills Matter
Experts and education advocates believe that coaching and skills development play a vital role in shaping students’ futures.
The National Education Policy 2020 emphasises that learning should go beyond textbooks to include critical thinking, problem-solving and soft skills such as communication, leadership and teamwork. These skills are essential in a fast-changing job market.
In a landmark address at a G20 education meet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said investing in education and skilling is “investing in the progress of humanity”. He added that pooling knowledge and skills globally was vital for shared growth and innovation.
Voices from the Ground
Teachers and students say the changes are timely.
A second-year engineering student in Raipur, Anjali Patel, said coaching support has lifted barriers for students from smaller towns. “Access to structured guidance helps us compete with peers from big cities,” she said.
An ITI trainer, Rajnish Verma, said new infrastructure will attract more students. “Better labs and certified teachers make technical education more credible,” he said.
Looking Ahead
In essence, Chhattisgarh’s education push links coaching access, campus expansion and skills training into one pipeline. The policy aims to reduce inequality, strengthen employability and prepare students for both competitive exams and modern jobs. Its success will now depend on execution quality, faculty strength and sustained funding.
Clear Cut Education Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Feb 27, 2026 09:00 IST
Written By: Ayushman Meena
