As India sets its sights on becoming a developed nation by 2047, a vision laid out by prime minister Narendra Modi, Maharashtra is moving in step, guided with confidence by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis whose birthday falls today, July 22. His foresight and decisive governance are propelling the state toward the ambitious goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy.
Fadnavis has consistently set high benchmarks. Within the first 100 days of his current tenure, he introduced a transformative departmental evaluation system that is transparent, data-driven, and publicly disclosed. This has fostered a culture of accountability and sent a clear message that performance matters.
Skill development, employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation remain at the core of his agenda. Maharashtra today hosts over 28,000 active startups, many of them founded by women. The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Women Startup Scheme has already disbursed Rs 2.34 crore to 52 women entrepreneurs, and its reach continues to grow.
To further strengthen the startup ecosystem, a unique integrated facility is being developed at the government minority ITI in Mumbai’s Chandivali, which will become India’s only and one-of-its-kind center fostering a vibrant startup culture. Alongside this, 20 ITIs across the state are being upgraded with cutting-edge laboratories to meet modern industrial demands.
Maharashtra is also setting an example with its plan to build India’s first Innovative City, modeled on Gujarat’s Gift City, in Navi Mumbai. This city will span 250 acres with a planned investment of Rs 500 crore.
On the global front, a Global Skill Development Center in collaboration with Singapore’s ITE Education Services will soon open. It will offer young Maharashtrians access to world-class training and employment opportunities, a testament to Fadnavis’ vision for a globally competitive workforce.
The Chief Minister’s Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana is another transformative initiative which has already benefited 1.5 lakh youths, with Rs 481 crore invested so far.
Between December 2024 and May 2025, a total of 1,34,303 candidates secured employment through state-run initiatives. During this period, 203 job fairs were organized, advertising over 1.20 lakh vacancies. Amongst the 63,441 participants, 23,854 candidates were successfully placed. Through the National Career Service and Model Career Centre, 1,26,482 candidates from Maharashtra registered and 62,862 received counselling between December 2024 and June 2025.
Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha |
(The author is minister for skill development, employment, entrepreneurship & Innovation, Maharashtra)
