Marking a significant milestone in India\u2019s gem and jewellery skill development landscape, the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Udupi was unveiled today as a new centre of excellence by Hon\u2019ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, reaffirming the government\u2019s continued focus on skilling, innovation and employment generation for the sector.<\/p>\n
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\nThe ceremony was attended by Shri Kota Shrinivas Poojari, Member of Parliament; Shri Yashpal A. Suvarna, MLA, Udupi; Shri Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA, Kaup (Kapu) Assembly Constituency, Karnataka; Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Shri Mahender Tayal, Regional Chairman, Southern Region, GJEPC; and Shri Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC, alongside industry members, students and stakeholders.<\/p>\n
The new IIGJ Udupi centre is envisioned as a hub for nurturing talent, supporting artisanal excellence and equipping students with industry-relevant skills across jewellery design, manufacturing and emerging technologies. The inauguration further strengthens IIGJ\u2019s growing national footprint and underscores the sector\u2019s commitment to building a future-ready workforce.<\/p>\n
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\nSmt. Nirmala Sitharaman said, \u201cIIGJ Udupi stands as a strong example of how industry-led skilling can transform lives and create opportunities for youth across southern India. The institute is empowering students from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and beyond with employable skills, entrepreneurial opportunities and pathways to prosperity. As demand for skilled talent grows, IIGJ Udupi will continue to play a vital role in strengthening the region\u2019s jewellery ecosystem and supporting India\u2019s export growth story. Through the support of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), the institute has aligned its training with global market needs and evolving industry standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shri Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, GJEPC, said, \u201cThe unveiling of IIGJ Udupi reflects our continued commitment to strengthening India\u2019s skill ecosystem for the gem and jewellery sector. In the last four years alone, IIGJ centres across the country have trained over 7,000 students, building a strong talent pool for the industry. Today, the Indian gem and jewellery sector contributes nearly USD 28 billion in exports and supports over 5 million livelihoods. As the sector evolves into a more design-led, technology-driven and value-added ecosystem, the demand for skilled professionals will only grow. Institutions like IIGJ are central to sustaining India\u2019s leadership and maintaining its position as the supplier of choice for the world. This effort also advances the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and supports our ambition of taking gem and jewellery exports to USD 100 billion.\u201d<\/p>\n
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) and IIT Madras (InCent-LGD). The partnership aims to launch a specialised certification programme in lab-grown diamond technologies, creating skilled and industry-ready professionals for this fast-growing sector. It will support value-added manufacturing and further strengthen India\u2019s position in the global lab-grown diamond value chain, aligned with the vision of Make in India and Skill India.<\/p>\n
Highlighting the sector\u2019s transformation and emerging opportunities, Shri Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC, said \u201cWith expanding global opportunities, strong domestic demand and growing focus on innovation, the industry is entering a new phase of growth. Investments in skilling and education through institutions like IIGJ will be critical to sustaining India\u2019s leadership in the global gem and jewellery sector.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aligned with the government\u2019s Skill India vision and initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Yojana, IIGJ has been expanding access to structured training for grassroots artisans and aspiring professionals. The IIGJ institute currently offers over 40 specialised programmes, including degree courses, diplomas and postgraduate programmes, with strong industry linkages and placement outcomes.<\/p>\n
The new centre is expected to play a key role in supporting the next phase of growth while empowering youth, artisans and entrepreneurs from the region to participate in India\u2019s expanding gem and jewellery opportunity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Marking a significant milestone in India\u2019s gem and jewellery skill development landscape, the Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Udupi was unveiled today as a new centre of excellence by Hon\u2019ble Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, reaffirming the government\u2019s continued focus on skilling, innovation and employment generation for the sector. The ceremony was attended…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36194,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[83],"tags":[],"thb-sponsors":[],"class_list":["post-36193","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bulletin"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n