Retailers Association's Skill Council of India

What Retailers Association's Skill Council of India does

Retailers Association's Skill Council of India (RASCI) is a not-for-profit Section 8 company (formerly Section 25), established in 2012 and headquartered in Andheri, Mumbai. It is set up and funded by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE), recognized by the National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET) as an awarding body, and supported by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the Retailers Association of India (RAI). RASCI operates as the apex skill development, standard-setting, and certification body for India's retail sector, governing 18 industry-endorsed qualifications and 33 print/digital courseware across retail operations, FMCG, e-commerce, and retail business sub-sectors, with 26 active qualification packs aligned to NSQF/NCrF levels 2 to 5.5.

The organization's core offerings include National Occupational Standards and Qualification Packs, government-recognized assessment and certification services, apprenticeship programs under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and the proprietary RASCI PILOT Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP), the RASCI DILSE cost-effective skilling model, an LMS-integrated Digital Learning Portal built with SkillEd India, and a suite of micro-credentials covering emerging areas such as AI for retail and sustainability. To date, RASCI has enabled 17.2L+ government-sponsored trained individuals, 6.1L+ industry-trained, 19.6L+ assessed, 16.7L+ certified, 8.3L+ employed, supported by 1,300+ training centers, 5 Centers of Excellence, 9,000+ certified trainers, 6,200+ assessors, 1,369 industry members, 800+ registered apprenticeship establishments, and 3L+ apprentice contracts generating ₹175 Cr+ in NAPS incentives.

RASCI's revenue model is primarily government-funded through MoSDE/NSDC grants and program allocations under schemes like PMKVY, NAPS, and state-level initiatives, supplemented by assessment and certification fees. As a non-commercial Section 8 entity, it does not publicly disclose commercial pricing. The organization runs a B2B2C distribution model via training partners, academic institutes, and direct industry partners such as Reliance Retail, Shoppers Stop, Trent, Spencer's, Apollo Pharmacies, and McDonald's India, with a small in-house team of 11–50 employees coordinated across operations, standards, QA, finance, and industry engagement functions.

Name

Retailers Association's Skill Council of India

Legal name

Retail Associated Skill Council of India

Website

https://rasci.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

RASCI is a not-for-profit Section 8 company, funded by India's Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and recognized by NCVET as the awarding body setting occupational standards, certifications, and apprenticeship programs for the Indian retail sector.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Training and Skill Certification

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Qualifications Framework Authorities (NQF/Skills Framework) (EDADAFAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

National/State Examination Boards & Testing Agencies (EDADAFAA), TVET/Skills & Workforce Education Authorities (EDADAAAH), Career & Technical Education (CTE) Standards Authorities (EDADAEAE)

Keywords

• Retail skill training
• Vocational certification
• Apprenticeship programs
• Occupational standards
• Workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Andheri

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Set up and funded by Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE, GOI). Recognized by NCVET as an awarding body. Supported by NSDC for operational functioning.
2. Skill Certification Services: Provides certification services for retail industry skills through government-recognized qualification packs. Revenue generated through assessment and certification fees under various government schemes.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

RASCI is a not-for-profit Section 8 company, set up and funded by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE, Government of India), recognized by NCVET as an awarding body. It functions as the apex skill development, standard-setting, and awarding/certifying body for the retail industry in India, developing National Occupational Standards, Qualification Packs, assessment frameworks, and apprenticeship pathways aligned to the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF).

Product overview

RASCI operates as a not-for-profit skill development council registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013, recognized by NCVET as an awarding body and supported by NSDC. The organization functions as the apex skill development and certification body for India's retail industry. Its portfolio centers on National Occupational Standards (NOS) and Qualification Packs covering 26 active qualifications across retail operations, e-commerce, FMCG, and retail business sub-sectors. Core offerings include assessment and certification services, apprenticeship programs (NAPS and the proprietary PILOT AEDP), and the DILSE skilling model. Supporting resources encompass course materials, micro-credentials in emerging areas like AI for retail, standalone NOS for data analytics and AI tools, and sample question papers. The organization maintains a network of 1,300+ training centers with 9,000+ trainers and 6,200+ assessors, while also operating an LMS-integrated digital learning portal for online delivery.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RASCI PILOT: Promoting Innovation Lead Over Tradition - Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Program (AEDP) for 3-year degree apprenticeships in retail operations
• RASCI DILSE

Products and services

• National Occupational Standards (NOS)
• Qualification Packs (QPs)
• Assessment and Certification Services
• Apprenticeship Programs (NAPS)
• Training of Trainers (ToT) and Training of Assessors (ToA)
• Short-term Skill Training Programs
• Micro-Credentials

Quantifiable outcome

• 17.2L+ individuals skilled through government-sponsored programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 August 2013Primary implementation partner for skill development initiatives. NSDC supports RASCI's functioning as the apex skill council for retail. Collaborates on apprenticeship programs, qualification development, and funding allocation under various government schemes.
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MoSDE), GOIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent ministry that set up and funds RASCI as a not-for-profit company under Section 25. Provides policy framework and regulatory oversight.
• National Council of Vocational Education and Training (NCVET)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegulatory body that has recognized RASCI as an awarding body for vocational education and training certifications in India.
• Retailers Association of India (RAI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization and founding member. Provides industry leadership and board representation. RASCI was established as the skill council under RAI.
• Reliance Retail LtdflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard representation by G.R. Venkatesh. Major industry partner for apprenticeship programs, AEDP initiatives, and skill certification. Highest apprentice contracting partner.
• Shoppers Stop LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard representation by Chairman Kavindra Mishra. Major partner for RPL certifications and skill development initiatives.
• Trent Limited (Tata Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard representation by Director Manish Kumar. Active participant in job fairs and placement drives.
• Globus Stores Private LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard representation by Director Nimish Mehta. Industry partner for skill development initiatives.
• Future Group / Infiniti Retail LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoard representation. Historical partner in skill development initiatives and standards setting.
• DPIIT, Ministry of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment nominee director on RASCI board representing policy interests.
• McDonald's IndiaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey partner for BBA-Retail degree apprenticeship program. Tripartite MOU with Ness Wadia College of Commerce and other academic institutions for AEDP implementation.
• Service Skills AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner for transnational standards benchmarking and best practice exchange in retail skilling.
• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Train the Trainer programs structured on German Dual Vocational Education and Training model.
• Pearl Academy MumbaicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for IndiaSkills visual merchandising competitions and WorldSkills training workshops.
• TRRAIN (Trust for Retail and Retailers Association of India)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-organizer of annual TRRAIN Retail Awards and RASCI-TRRAIN Skill Awards recognizing excellence in retail skilling.
• Board of Apprenticeship Training (BOAT) - Western RegioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU as Exclusive Advocacy Partner for Retail and allied sectors to facilitate Graduate Apprenticeships contracting PAN India.
• Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi (KVVES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to assess and certify 5 lakh members as Individual sales professionals under RPL BICE program.
• SkillEd IndiacoreTechnology or IntegrationJV between Manav Rachna Vidyantariksha and Kunskapsskolan Education Sweden. Launched LMS integrated Digital Learning & Certification Portal with KED Learning Methodology.
• 36 Academic InstitutescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership with colleges and universities for AEDP program implementation including Bhavans College, BOAT collaborations, and state university partnerships.
• Carnival Skills FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU for development of first-of-its-kind Retail Center of Excellence at Wadala, Mumbai.
• SDI VisakhapatnamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoU to facilitate development of Retail Center of Excellence, Vishakhapatnam.
• Spencer's RetailcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for RPL certification of employees under Recognition of Prior Learning with Best in Class Employer scheme.
• GMR Varalakshmi FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for assessment and certification of GMVRF employees for Retail Sales Associate job role under RPL scheme.

Scale indicators19 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC): ASDC is another sector skill council under NSDC for the automotive industry, with the same operating model — qualification packs, training partner network, and apprenticeship promotion. Direct peer in structure and ecosystem role to RASCI.
• NASSCOM Foundation (FutureSkills): FutureSkills is NASSCOM's sector skilling initiative for IT/ITES, structured similarly to RASCI as a standards-setting and certification body for a specific industry. Both operate as recognized awarding bodies under NCVET, with comparable curriculum, assessment, and apprenticeship models.
• Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC): HSSC is a peer sector skill council under NSDC covering healthcare, with identical mandate structure — NCVET-recognized awarding body, NSQF-aligned qualification packs, training partner network, and apprenticeship programs. Closest structural analog to RASCI in a different sector.

Emerging players

• TeamLease Skills University: India's skills-focused university offering vocational degree programs and apprenticeships. Comparable to RASCI's AEDP model — both bridge formal education with industry apprenticeships, but TeamLease is a private operator versus RASCI's government-anchored standards role.
• Centurion University of Technology and Management: A vocational university with strong industry-embedded apprenticeship programs. Comparable to RASCI PILOT AEDP for combining degree education with industry apprenticeships, particularly in retail-adjacent sectors.
• Simplilearn: A leading EdTech platform for professional upskilling in digital and technology domains. Increasingly relevant as a competitor for emerging retail-tech certifications (AI, data analytics, digital customer experience) where RASCI's qualification packs overlap with EdTech offerings.
• Retailers Association of India (RAI): RAI is RASCI's parent industry body, the apex retail industry association in India. Closely comparable as the industry-side counterpart that defines retail standards and policy, and a key partner in the TRRAIN Retail Awards and skill advocacy programs.
• Manipal Global Skills Academy: A vocational skills and employability training provider offering certificate and diploma programs aligned with industry needs. Comparable as a vocational education delivery partner that competes for the same training-partner channel that RASCI orchestrates.

Broad incumbents

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): NSDC is the apex body overseeing all sector skill councils in India, including RASCI itself. Directly comparable as the governing/funding umbrella for the Indian skilling ecosystem and as the strategic counterparty that channels government scheme funding to sector councils.
• National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET): NCVET is the apex regulatory body that recognizes RASCI and all sector skill councils as awarding bodies. Comparable as the broader regulatory and quality-assurance authority governing the vocational education ecosystem RASCI operates within.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RasciOnline
• YouTubeyoutube.com/results?search_query=RASCI+skill+india
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rascionline
• Facebookfacebook.com/RasciOnline

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Retailers Association's Skill Council of India