Chris John

Expert

Published on: Sep 16, 2026

Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS)

The Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills, commonly referred to as MANAS, was established in 2014 under the auspices of the then Minister of Minority Affairs. With headquarters based in the Capital, MANAS was initiated to empower minority communities through skill enhancement, talent development, and promotion of self-employment. MANAS offers certifications and placements for trainees via collaborations with various national and international agencies. This article delves into the key aspects of MANAS in detail.

Overview

MANAS is an ambitious initiative with comprehensive skill development plans aimed at establishing a national-level training framework. This is facilitated through collaborations with national and international training organizations in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode. The academy plays a vital role in imparting in-demand skills to members of minority communities, aligning with employment opportunities that are likely to expand. Training is geared towards self-employment, with support from the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) offering credit for individuals trained at MANAS to help them start their businesses. MANAS's alliances with various organizations enable certification and placement support for its trainees, thereby securing funding to sustain the program. MANAS has also formed a partnership with the National Skill Development Corporation to establish an All-India Collaborative Network.

Vision

The vision of MANAS is to promote an inclusive development process by equipping minority communities with skills that lead to sustainable livelihoods, inclusive of the vision "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas".

Mission

The mission of MANAS is to provide unified access to minority communities for Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Training Programs (E&SDPs) focusing on skills that are in demand, thereby leading to self-employment and entrepreneurship, supporting the Skill India Mission and Make in India initiatives.

Objectives

  • To offer an integrated All-India platform unifying stakeholders that provide skill training.
  • Imparting Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Training to minority communities through PPP and collaborations with local, national, and international organizations tailored to market demands.
  • Leverage the Skill Development Architecture of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, ensuring standardized training and outcomes.
  • Link NMDFC's concessional credit or financial institutions' credit with skills training to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment.
  • Offer technical and marketing support through various channels such as call centers for entrepreneurs, Karobaari Salahiyat, and an e-commerce portal for online marketing support.

Features of MANAS

  • Functioning as an SPV, MANAS expands access to skill development programs across marginalized sectors of minority communities through an all-India collaborative framework based on the PPP model.
  • Focus on skill-sets demanded by the market, meeting credit requirements for self-employment with a wide range of skill-based courses.
  • Provides a scalable model with flexibility; training programs are customizable for implementation across regions with diverse skill sets.
  • Convergence of financial and developmental activities, providing comprehensive training to MANAS trainees with support from leading organizations.
  • A transparent Skill Development Framework with ICT Biometrics for attendance and live CCTV coverage to ensure integrity and comprehensive information accessibility.

Funding

The National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) consistently budgets for MANAS to develop infrastructure and training facilities. As an initiative focused on implementing skill development programs for minority communities, MANAS receives funding from various sources, including:

  • Multiple initiatives under the Ministry of Minority Affairs like Seekho Aur Kamao, USTTAD, and others.
  • Projects under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of HRD, such as Project Udaan.
  • Contributions from the Department of Skills and various Ministry-related training programs.
  • State Government Departments contributing to skill development and minority welfare.
  • Corporate social responsibility funds from national and multinational corporations.

Contact Information

For further inquiries, contact the Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills (MANAS) at:

Address: Chelmsford Road, Opp. New Delhi Railway Station Reservation Center, Paharganj, New Delhi-110055
Telephone Number: 011-23586443, 011-23586447
Email Address: manasnmdfc@gmail.com
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills MANAS.

MANAS, or the Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills, is an ambitious program established in 2014 by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to provide skill development training to members of minority communities. It aims to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship by offering certifications and placements through collaborations with national and international agencies.
The vision of MANAS is to promote inclusive development by skilling minority communities, which would help them attain sustainable livelihoods, aligning with the "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (Together, for everyone's growth) principle.
MANAS fulfills its mission by providing unified access to minority communities for skill development training programs (ESDPs) focused on entrepreneurship and in-demand skill sets. It emphasizes self-employment and entrepreneurship to promote the Skill India Mission and Make in India initiatives.
The main objectives of MANAS include offering an integrated All-India platform for skill training, imparting entrepreneurship and skill development training through collaborations, utilizing the Skill Development Architecture of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, linking concessional credit with skill training, and providing technical and marketing support to entrepreneurs.
Key features of MANAS include a public-private partnership model, focus on market-demanded skill sets, a sustainable and scalable model with flexibility, preservation and promotion of traditional arts and crafts, convergence of financial and development activities, and an ICT-enabled transparent framework.
MANAS receives funding from the National Minorities Development & Finance Corporation (NMDFC) and various ministries and organizations, such as the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of HRD, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, state governments, and corporate social responsibility funds.
MANAS offers a wide range of skill-based courses and training programs of varying durations and levels, covering diverse skill sets that are in demand by the market. It also focuses on preserving and promoting traditional arts, crafts, and vocations of minority communities.
MANAS provides technical and marketing support to entrepreneurs through call centers, the 'Karobaari Salahiyat' initiative, and an e-commerce portal. Additionally, it links concessional credit from NMDFC or other financial institutions with the skill training to promote self-employment.
The headquarters of MANAS, or the Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills, is located in New Delhi, at Chelmsford Road, opposite the New Delhi Railway Station Reservation Center, Paharganj.
You can contact MANAS through their telephone numbers: 011-23586443, 011-23586447, or by email at manasnmdfc@gmail.com. Their office address is MANAS (Maulana Azad National Academy for Skills), Chelmsford Road, Opp. New Delhi Railway Station Reservation Center, Paharganj, New Delhi-110055.