Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) are post-secondary Colleges in India constituted under the Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, to provide training in various trades.

ITIs run The Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS). This Scheme was introduced by the Government of India in year 1950 to ensure a steady flow of skilled workers in different trades for the domestic industry, to raise quantitatively and qualitatively the industrial production by systematic training, to reduce unemployment among the educated youth by providing them employable skills, to cultivate and nurture a technical and industrial attitude in the minds of younger generation.

 The development of training schemes at National level, the evolution of policy, laying of training standard, norms, conducting of examinations, certification, etc. are the responsibilities of the central government, whereas, day to day administration including an admission in ITIs rests with the respective State Governments / UTs.

Presently, training courses under the Craftsmen Training Scheme are being offered through a network of 14955 ITIs (Govt. 3248 + Private 11707) located all over the country with total trainees enrolled 26.58 lakhs (in the trades of 1 year and 2 year durations) on NCVTMIS portal with an objective to provide skilled workforce to the industry in 150 NSQF compliant trades.

However the ITIs are allowed to run the short term courses with the permission of State Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Committee (SSDEC). The short term courses can be run before or after the regular CTS Course schedule.