PM Modi announces India-France Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at Kanpur

Exam-focused facts from the 21 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence at the National Skill Training Institute (NSTI) in Kanpur.
The Centre will operate under the Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU) scheme implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
France will collaborate in establishing the Centre, which will offer advanced training in aeronautics, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul operations, airport management, and defence production.
A Letter of Intent was exchanged between MSDE and the French government to formalise cooperation under PM-SETU, building on the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on vocational education and training.