CITS 2026-27: Craft Instructor Training Scheme - Admission through AICET
Brief Information
Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India has released the prospectus for Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) Session 2026-27. Total 6025+ seats across 42 trades in 33 NSTIs & 120 IToTs. Candidates with NTC/NAC/Diploma/Degree are eligible. Admission through All India Common Entrance Test (AICET) 2026. Upon successful completion, candidates get National Craft Instructor Certificate (NCIC) recognized by NCVET.
Overview
| Organization/Department | Directorate General of Training (DGT), MSDE, Govt. of India |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS) |
| Qualification | NTC/NAC/Diploma/Degree from recognized Board/University (SCVT eligible, CoE not eligible) |
| Age Limit | Minimum 18 years (No Upper Age Limit) |
| Exam Name | All India Common Entrance Test (AICET) 2026 |
| Exam Date | 31 May 2026 (Online CBT) |
| Apply Start Date | 18 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 May 2026 (till 06:00 PM) |
| Application Fee (General) | ₹300/- |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PH/EWS/Women) | ₹200/- |
| Counselling Fee | ₹500/- (Non-Refundable for all) |
| Course Duration | 1 Year (1200 Hrs + 150 Hrs OJT + 240 Hrs Optional) |
| Session Commencement | 17 August 2026 |
| Job Location | -saluran:All India (NSTIs & IToTs across India) |
| Apply Mode | Online at nimionlineadmission.in | nimi.gov.in | dgt.gov.in |
| Official Website | dgt.gov.in |
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Age Limit
Minimum: 18 years (as on 17th August 2026) — Maximum: No Upper Age Limit (as per official notification)
Qualification
Educational Qualification: NTC (National Trade Certificate) / NAC (National Apprenticeship Certificate) / Diploma / Degree from a recognized Board of Technical Education/University or equivalent. SCVT candidates are also eligible. NOTE: CoE (Certificate of Experience) candidates are NOT eligible. Provisional admission permitted for appearing candidates (Degree/Diploma/NTC/NAC).
Important Dates - AICET 2026
| Notification Date | April 2026 (Prospectus Released) |
|---|---|
| Apply Start | 18 April 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 10 May 2026 (till 06:00 PM) |
| Hall Ticket Download | 21 May to 31 May 2026 |
| Mock Test Availability | 21 May to 31 May 2026 |
| AICET Exam Date (CBT) | 31 May 2026 |
| Result Declaration | 10 June 2026 |
| Online Counselling Starts | 15 June 2026 |
| Session Commencement | 17 August 2026 |
AICET Examination Pattern
| Section | Details | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Trade Specific Questions | Objective type questions based on CTS syllabus of the applied trade | 75% |
| Aptitude Questions | Logical, Numeric and Reasoning ability | 25% |
| Total Duration | 2 Hours | |
| Exam Mode | Online Computer Based Test (CBT) | |
Course Fees (NSTIs - Central Institutes)
| Particulars | Govt. Sponsored | Individual (General) | Individual (SC/ST/PH/EWS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Admission Fee | ₹100/- | ₹100/- | ₹25/- |
| Registration Fee | Nil | ₹50/- | Nil |
| Caution Deposit (Refundable) | ₹250/- | ₹250/- | ₹250/- |
| Gymkhana Fee | ₹100/- | ₹100/- | Nil |
| Library Deposit | ₹20/- | ₹20/- | ₹20/- |
| Tuition Fee (half yearly) | Nil | ₹900/- | ₹300/- |
| Examination Fee | ₹100/- | ₹100/- | ₹25/- |
| Total Annual Fee | ₹570/- | ₹2420/- | ₹920/- |
Note: Fee relaxation for women trainees as per DGT order. For State Government and Private IToTs, fee structure is determined by respective bodies.
Reservation of Seats
Central Government reservation policy is followed in the admission process (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD).
CITS Trades & Entry Qualification (42 Trades)
| S.No. | CITS Trade Name | Entry Qualification (Summary) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aeronautical Structure & Equipment Fitter | Degree/Diploma (Aero/Mechanical) OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in same trade |
| 2 | Architectural Draughtsman | Degree/Diploma in Architecture OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in same trade |
| 3 | Catering & Hospitality | Master/Post Graduate/Diploma in Hotel Management OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in related trade |
| 4 | Computer Aided Embroidery & Designing | Degree/Diploma in Textile Designing/Fashion Technology OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in same trade |
| 5 | Computer Hardware & Networking Maintenance | Degree/Diploma in CS/IT/Electronics OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in CHNM |
| 6 | Computer Software Application | Degree/PGDCA/Diploma in CS/IT OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in COPA/DBSA |
| 7 | Cosmetology | Degree/Diploma in Cosmetology OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in Cosmetology |
| 8 | Desktop Publishing Operator | Degree/Diploma in CS/IT/Printing Technology OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in DTPO |
| 9 | Draughtsman Civil | Degree/Diploma in Civil Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Draughtsman Civil |
| 10 | Draughtsman Mechanical | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Production Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Draughtsman Mechanical |
| 11 | Dress Making | Degree/Diploma in Costume Design/Fashion Technology OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in Dress Making |
| 12 | Electrician | Degree/Diploma in Electrical Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Electrician |
| 13 | Electronics Mechanic | Degree/Diploma in Electronics/Telecommunication OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Electronics Mechanic |
| 14 | Fashion Design & Technology | Degree/Diploma in Fashion Technology OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in FDT |
| 15 | Fitter | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Production Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Fitter |
| 16 | Information Technology | Degree/Diploma in CS/IT/EC OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in IT |
| 17 | Instrument Mechanic | Degree/Diploma in Instrumentation Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Instrument Mechanic |
| 18 | Interior Design & Decoration | Degree/Diploma in Interior Design/Architecture/Civil OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in IDD |
| 19 | Machinist (Grinder) | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Production OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Machinist Grinder |
| 20 | Mechanic Diesel | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Automobile + Valid MCWG & LMV License OR 10th + 1-yr NTC |
| 21 | Mechanic Motor Vehicle | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Automobile + Valid MCWG & LMV License OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in MMV |
| 22 | Mechanic Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in RAC |
| 23 | Plumber | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Civil OR 10th + 1/2-yr NTC in Plumber |
| 24 | Secretarial Practice (Hindi) | Graduation with Hindi shorthand/typing OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in Stenographer Hindi |
| 25 | Sewing Technology | Degree/Diploma in Costume Design/Fashion Technology OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in Sewing Technology |
| 26 | Sheet Metal Worker | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Production OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in Sheet Metal Worker |
| 27 | Surveyor | Degree/Diploma in Civil/Construction Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Surveyor |
| 28 | Tool & Die Maker | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Production OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Tool & Die Maker |
| 29 | Turner | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical Engineering OR 10th + 2-yr NTC in Turner |
| 30 | Welder | Degree/Diploma in Mechanical/Production/Metallurgy OR 10th + 1-yr NTC in Welder |
| Note: Full 42 trades list with detailed eligibility available in Annexure-I of official prospectus. Ex-servicemen with 15 years service also eligible for many trades. | ||
Seat Matrix (NSTIs & IToTs - Total 6025+ Seats)
| Institute Name | Key Trades Available | Total Seats |
|---|---|---|
| NSTI (Women) Agra | Computer Aided Embroidery, Computer Software, Cosmetology, Dress Making, Fashion Design, Secretarial Practice, Sewing Technology | 100 |
| NSTI (Women) Bengaluru | Cosmetology, Dress Making, Fashion Design, Computer Software, Computer Hardware, Surface Ornamentation | 275 |
| NSTI (Women) Mumbai | Cosmetology, Dress Making, Fashion Design, Desktop Publishing, Sewing Technology | 125 |
| NSTI (Women) Patna | Cosmetology, Dress Making, Fashion Design, Computer Software, Secretarial Practice | 125 |
| Govt. IToT Sultanpur | Electrician, Fitter, Welder, Mechanic Diesel, Turner, Machinist, COPA, DTPO, Dress Making, Plumber, Surveyor | 400 |
| Lucknow IToT (UP Govt) | Computer Software, Electrician, Electronics, Fitter, Welder, Turner, Mechanic, COPA, Draughtsman Civil, Dress Making, Office Management | 1300 |
| Rohtak IToT (Haryana) | Electrician, Welder, Fitter, Mechanic Motor Vehicle, COPA, Secretarial Practice | 300 |
| Govt. IToT Jaipur | Computer Software, Electrician, Fitter, Dress Making, Surface Ornamentation, Computer Hardware | 225 |
| Govt. IToT Alwar | Computer Software, Electrician, Fitter, Dress Making, Secretarial Practice, Stenographer | 100 |
| Govt. IToT Ajmer | Electrician, Fitter, Dress Making, Computer Hardware, COPA, Welder | 75 |
| GRAND TOTAL (All NSTIs & IToTs) | Electrician (1075 seats), Fitter (925), Welder (425), Computer Software (375), COPA, Mechanic Diesel, Electronics, Turner, Dress Making, etc. | 6025+ Seats |
AICET Exam Centres 2026 (Partial List)
| State/UT | Exam Cities |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | Port Blair |
| Andhra Pradesh | Tirupati, Kurnool, Vijaywada, Visakhapatnam |
| Assam | Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat |
| Bihar | Patna, Begusarai, Bhagalpur, Madhepura, Gaya, Muzaffarpur |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg-Bhilai |
| Delhi | Delhi NCR |
| Gujarat | Vadodara, Gandhinagar, Jamnagar, Ahmedabad |
| Haryana | Panipat, Gurugram, Hisar, Kurukshetra, Sirsa |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla, Hamirpur, Kangra |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu, Kupwara, Srinagar |
| Jharkhand | Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Belagavi, Davangere, Gulbarga, Mysuru |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam |
| Madhya Pradesh | Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Gwalior |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ahmednagar, Amravati, Nagpur, Solapur, Pune |
| Odisha | Bhubaneshwar, Rayagada, Rourkela |
| Punjab | Ludhiana, Amritsar, Fazilka, Patiala, Mohali |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur, Alwar, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Kota, Udaipur |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli |
| Telangana | Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Warangal |
| Uttar Pradesh | Allahabad, Kanpur, Noida, Agra, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Jhansi, Meerut, Lucknow, Varanasi, Gorakhpur |
| Uttarakhand | Dehradun, Nainital, Roorkee |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Darjeeling, Siliguri, Maldah, Hooghly |
Note: Exam centers might change based on number of candidates. If insufficient candidates, alternate nearby center will be provided.
Selection Process
- Online Registration for AICET 2026 (18 April - 10 May 2026)
- Appear in All India Common Entrance Test (CBT) on 31 May 2026
- Merit List preparation based on AICET score
- Online Counselling (starting 15 June 2026) - Choice filling & Seat Allotment
- Document Verification at allotted institute
- Final Admission & Fee Payment
Career Opportunities After CITS
- Instructor in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs)
- Certified instructor for short-term and long-term government schemes
- Training coordinator in industries for skill development programs
- Developer of Written Instructional Materials (WIM) and e-learning content
- Vocational training professional in global market
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Apply online at nimi.gov.in or nimionlineadmission.in or dgt.gov.in from 18 April to 10 May 2026 (till 6:00 PM).
- Hall ticket can be downloaded from 21 May to 31 May 2026.
- Online mock test available during hall ticket download period.
- No walk-in/direct admission will be entertained outside the merit list of AICET.
- Seat allotment based on: (i) Merit (AICET score), (ii) Choices, (iii) Reservation norms.
- Candidates advised to check seat matrix (Annexure-IV) before applying.
- Provisional admission permitted for appearing candidates (Degree/Diploma/NTC/NAC) as per DGT order - Undertaking required (Annexure-V).
- After provisional admission, final documents must be submitted within 30 days of result declaration.
Apply Process (How to Apply for AICET 2026)
- Visit official website: nimionlineadmission.in or nimi.gov.in
- Click on "AICET 2026 Registration" link
- Fill personal, educational, and contact details carefully
- Select trade preference and exam centre choice
- Upload scanned photograph and signature as per specifications
- Pay application fee online (Net Banking/Credit/Debit Card/UPI/Wallet)
- Submit form and take printout of final submitted application for future reference
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Important Links
| Official Notification (CITS Prospectus 2026-27) | Download PDF |
|---|---|
| Apply Online (AICET 2026) | Apply Here - nimionlineadmission.in |
| DGT Official Website | dgt.gov.in |
| NIMI Website | nimi.gov.in |
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