An announcement to this effect was made in the joint statement issued by the two countries at the India–France Year of Innovation, MSDE said in a statement issued on Thursday.
The proposed NCoE at Kanpur will focus on advanced skill training in aeronautics, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), airport operations, defence manufacturing and allied domains.
“It is envisaged as a world-class institution that will strengthen India’s capacity in aviation skills while supporting the country’s growing aerospace and defence ecosystem,” it added.
A letter of intent (LoI) has been exchanged between the MSDE and the government of the French Republic to collaborate on the establishment of this Centre under the PM-SETU scheme.
As per the statement, the proposed collaboration envisages co-designed curricula, structured training-of-trainers programmes, periodic joint review of programmes, exchange initiatives, language training and development of structured mobility pathways, along with cooperation in aeronautics, space and allied domains.
With an overall outlay of Rs 60,000 crore, PM-SETU aims to upgrade 1000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the country, modernising infrastructure, aligning curricula with industry demand and strengthening employability outcomes. In addition to Kanpur’s aviation-focused Centre, the other proposed National Centres of Excellence will cater to sectoral priorities aligned with regional industrial strengths, including advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies and high-growth service sectors at Ludhiana, Hyderabad, Chennai and Bhubaneswar.“The National Centre of Excellence in aviation at Kanpur will not only create a pipeline of globally competent aviation professionals but also deepen India’s strategic partnership with France in emerging and advanced technology sectors,” Jayant Chaudhary, minister of state (independent charge), MSDE said.
“This initiative reflects our commitment to aligning skills with global standards, enabling mobility, and preparing our youth for emerging opportunities in aeronautics, defence and advanced manufacturing,” he added.