Chhattisgarh cabinet approves Rs 500 crore startup mission, export policy

The Chhattisgarh cabinet on Wednesday approved a Rs 500 crore startup and skills mission to create new opportunities in employment, skill development, entrepreneurship and innovation for the state's youth, officials said.

The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhavan here, also approved the Chhattisgarh Export Promotion Policy 2026-30 aimed at developing the state as a major export hub.

Under the Chief Minister Startup and NIPUN (New Age Industrial Preparedness for Upskilling New Generation Youth) Mission, Rs 500 crore will be spent over the next five years, a government official said.

The mission envisages setting up entrepreneurship development centres in all 33 districts, 100 emerging technology laboratories and five industry excellence centres.

Its NIPUN Job Engine will focus on skill development and formal employment based on industry requirements, with the broader objective of creating better job opportunities and encouraging young people to become job creators rather than job seekers.

The initiative also seeks to establish Chhattisgarh as a major hub for startups, innovation and technology-driven industries.

The cabinet also cleared the Chhattisgarh Export Promotion Policy 2026-30, which aims to build a robust export ecosystem and strengthen logistics infrastructure in the state.

The policy seeks to improve market access and trade facilitation for exporters and promote exports of value-added products from the agriculture and industrial sectors.

It will also provide entrepreneurs and exporters direct access to international markets through e-commerce platforms, trade fairs and exhibitions. The policy aims to achieve qualitative and quantitative growth in Chhattisgarh's exports while strengthening the state's integration with national and global markets, the official said.

In another decision, the cabinet approved free allotment of 10 acres in Tendua village in Nava Raipur Atal Nagar to the Union government's Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for setting up a National Skill Training Institute (NSTI).

The institute, estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore, will have modern academic, administrative and hostel facilities. It will be equipped to provide technical and vocational training to 1,000 trainees annually through long-term courses and 3,000 trainees through short-term programmes, in accordance with industry requirements.

The proposed NSTI is expected to create opportunities for advanced skill training, internships and employment for the state's youth and help establish Nava Raipur as a major centre for skill and technical education, the official said.

The cabinet also approved raising the maximum age limit from 38 to 45 years for permanent and temporary government employees, staff of state corporations, boards and autonomous institutions, contractual workers and Home Guards applying for other government services and higher posts.

The move will give employees in government and allied institutions greater and more equal opportunities to seek higher posts and other services, the official said.

The state government will issue integrated permanent guidelines for implementing the decision, he added.