Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS)

CITS is designed for people who already have trade or technical preparation and want to become vocational trainers. DGT identifies NTC, NAC, diploma, and degree holders as eligible categories; the current course catalogue makes clear that the exact qualification must match the selected CITS trade.

For example, entry conditions can differ materially between trades: some accept an NTC/NAC in the named or related trade, while others specify relevant engineering degrees or three-year diplomas. Applicants should therefore use the entry-qualification column and syllabus for the particular trade rather than relying only on the broad eligibility summary.

• Check that the prior ITI/NTC, apprenticeship/NAC, diploma, degree, or other route is explicitly accepted for the chosen trade.
• The 2025–26 official prospectus also stated that SCVT candidates were eligible, CoE candidates were not eligible, and appearing NTC/NAC/diploma/degree candidates could receive provisional admission subject to the applicable order; applicants should verify whether those provisions are retained in the current admission material.
• The 2025–26 prospectus specified a minimum age of 16 on the first day of the academic session and no upper age limit, except where a syllabus specifies otherwise.

CITS is a one-year, two-semester programme in DGT’s course catalogue. The 2025–26 DGT prospectus describes an annual examination system and gives a programme workload of 1,200 hours, plus mandatory 150 hours of on-the-job training (OJT) or group project and an optional 240-hour component.

Training is delivered through National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and DGT-affiliated Institutes for Training of Trainers (IToTs). Institute availability and the set of trades offered should be checked against DGT’s current institute and course lists before applying.

• Course length: one year (two semesters).
• Assessment framework: annual examination.
• Practical exposure: the 2025–26 prospectus specifies mandatory OJT/group project work.

CITS combines trade expertise with the ability to teach that trade. DGT describes comprehensive preparation in skills and training methodology, while NSTI programme descriptions identify Trade Technology, Engineering Technology, and Training Methodology as core components.

The trade component is not identical for all learners: DGT publishes separate syllabus documents and entry requirements for individual trades. The catalogue includes both engineering and non-engineering offerings, and each listed course is shown as a one-year, two-semester programme with its applicable NSQF level.

• Trade Technology: basic and advanced trade practice and theory.
• Engineering Technology: commonly includes workshop calculation/science and engineering drawing, where applicable.
• Training Methodology / Principles of Teaching: teaching practice and principles of teaching.
• Mandatory OJT or group project is included in the 2025–26 programme structure.

DGT uses the All India Common Entrance Test (AICET) followed by centralized counselling for CITS admission at NSTIs and IToTs. The 2025–26 prospectus says the online test assesses the relevant CTS trade syllabus (75% of questions) and logical, numerical, and reasoning aptitude (25%).

For 2026–27, DGT’s admission notice set online applications for 18 April through 10 May 2026 and the computer-based AICET for 31 May 2026. DGT’s tentative schedule put third-round choice filling on 15–18 July 2026, with the result scheduled for 20 July, spot/walk-in admissions on 3–5 August, physical admissions on 10–14 August, and session commencement on 17 August 2026. These remaining milestones are explicitly tentative and should be rechecked on the official portal.

• Application and AICET: use the official NIMI online-admission portal when the admission window is open.
• Allocation: centralized counselling uses merit and candidates’ preferences; the 2025–26 prospectus stated that direct/walk-in admission outside the AICET merit list was not permitted.
• For 2026–27, the application deadline of 10 May 2026 and AICET date of 31 May 2026 are already past as of 18 July 2026.

Fees must be treated as year- and institute-specific. The latest detailed DGT prospectus located for 2025–26 listed annual NSTI charges of ₹2,420 for an individual general-category candidate and ₹920 for an individual SC/ST/PH/EWS candidate; the listed total for a government-sponsored candidate was ₹570. These figures should not be assumed to be the 2026–27 fees.

That same 2025–26 prospectus listed the AICET examination fee as ₹500 for general candidates and ₹300 for SC/ST/PH/EWS/women candidates. It also states that state-government and private IToT fee structures are set by their respective bodies, so applicants need to confirm the amount with the allotted institute or its nodal officer.

• 2025–26 NSTI annual-fee context only: ₹2,420 for an individual general-category candidate; ₹920 for an individual SC/ST/PH/EWS candidate.
• 2025–26 AICET-fee context only: ₹500 general; ₹300 SC/ST/PH/EWS/women.
• Private and state IToT fees can differ from NSTI fees.

CITS is a trainer-preparation credential rather than an automatic appointment to a government post. According to DGT’s 2025–26 prospectus, successful trainees can work as instructors in ITIs, certified instructors in short- and long-term skill-development schemes, industry training coordinators, and developers of written instructional materials and e-learning content.

Accordingly, the direct next step is typically to seek vocational-instructor or training-coordinator opportunities in government ITIs, private training institutes, industry training departments, or skill-development programmes. Actual eligibility for a particular government ITI or PSU role remains governed by that employer’s recruitment notice, including its trade, experience, reservation, and examination requirements.

• Vocational Instructor — government ITI, subject to the recruiting authority’s rules.
• Vocational Instructor — private institute or short-/long-term skill programme.
• Industry training coordinator or workplace skills trainer.
• Vocational instructional-materials or e-learning-content development.