UP Board mandates vocational education in Classes 9 and 11

The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) has made vocational education compulsory for students of Classes 9 and 11 starting from the academic session 2026. UP board Secretary Bhagwati Singh said that the subject committees have approved and submitted the curriculum for vocational topics such as information technology and allied fields, electronics, apparel, beauty, and wellness.

Singh said subject experts developed the employment-oriented curriculum through multiple rounds of meetings under the guidance of additional secretary Satyendra Kumar Singh and Skand Shukla.

The new curriculum approved by the expert committee focuses on technological requirements, industry expectations, and improving students' employability. The curriculum has been incorporated with practical, skill-based, and job-oriented content to ensure students gain relevant knowledge.

The move aims to link school education with employability, officials said.

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UP board's new curriculum

Singh further added that the initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) and will promote skill development, self-reliance, and vocational proficiency among students. The work on developing additional vocational trades courses is currently underway, he added.

"It is a meaningful step towards connecting school education with employment, imparting practical knowledge to students, and preparing them for future challenges."

Singh said the Central Institute of Vocational Education, Bhopal, provided support in preparing the courses. Several subject experts, including Sanjeev Kumar Arya, Virendra Nath Shukla, Aditi Goswami, Dilip Singh, and Avinash Pandey, also contributed to the process.