Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC)

What Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) does

Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), founded in 2011 and headquartered in New Delhi, is India's apex sector skills council for the automotive industry, promoted by three major industry associations. Its core product is an NSQF-aligned training and certification framework covering electric mobility, Industry 4.0, AI, vehicle diagnostics, connected vehicles, and cybersecurity, delivered through a network of 300+ affiliated training institutions. The portfolio also includes modular certifications such as Smart Manufacturing Technician and Robotics Technician, an apprenticeship/upskilling track, and the multi-tier National Automobile Olympiad (now in its fifth edition) run jointly with CBSE, alongside partner-branded programs including Project Vahaan and Project EV Shiksha (Michelin India), LIS Unnati (Lucas Indian Service), the Michelin-ASDC-HCL Foundation Driver Training Program, the ASDC-FADA Academy-Prayaas Trust tripartite network, and the MITS-Eicher Mobile Training Van initiative.

ASDC's business model is not transactional retail; pricing is not publicly disclosed and programs are co-developed and co-funded through industry associations, OEMs (Michelin, Eicher, Toyota, Honda), foundations (HCL Foundation), and government bodies (NIMI, CBSE). Revenue mechanics align more with professional services and grant/CSR-funded program delivery than with fee-for-service training, with customer segments spanning OEMs and component companies, dealer associations, independent aftermarket mechanics, informal drivers, engineering students, rural youth, and school students. Go-to-market relies on a hybrid of channel partnerships (industry associations, training institutions), enterprise field sales (direct OEM collaboration), and event-driven engagement (Automechanika, SIAM workshops, the National Automobile Olympiad), with thought-leadership commentary from CEO Arindam Lahiri and Chairperson Vinkesh Gulati amplifying earned media reach.

Operationally, ASDC runs a lean team of 51–100 employees, activates program delivery through 300+ affiliated training institutions and partner facilities (e.g., Toyota Kirloskar Motor's Bidadi plant, Honda's Manesar facility, MITS Deemed to be University in Tirupati), and generates measurable but modest training throughput to date (e.g., 156 drivers, 65 EV candidates, 200+ IAM mechanics), with the FADA Academy tripartite setting a near-term scale target of 5,000 individuals trained over three years across 20 centers.

Name

Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC)

Legal name

Automotive Skills Development Council

Website

https://heylink.me

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Skill Development and Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Computer Training (611420)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

IT Support & End-User Computing (Helpdesk, Desktop, M365/Google Workspace) (EDABAFAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Information Technology & Software (EDAAAPAB), Professional Training & Workforce Upskilling (AM) (IMAAAJAC)

Keywords

• Automotive skill development
• Vocational training services
• Workforce certification programs
• NSQF-aligned certifications
• Industry-academia training

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industry-government co-funded skill development programs: ASDC is the apex body for skill development in India's automotive sector, promoted by three major industry associations and supported through partnerships with OEMs (Michelin, Eicher, Toyota), foundations (HCL Foundation), and government bodies (NIMI), delivering certified training programs, apprenticeships, and curriculum development.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ASDC is India's apex sector skills council for the automotive industry, developing NSQF-aligned curriculum, certifications, and modular training modules (including Smart Manufacturing Technician and Robotics Technician roles) delivered through 300+ affiliated training institutions across India. The council delivers apprenticeship, upskilling, and partner-branded workforce programs (Project Vahaan, Project EV Shiksha, LIS Unnati, Driver Training with HCL Foundation) and runs the flagship National Automobile Olympiad with CBSE to build a talent pipeline for EV, AI, Industry 4.0, and connected-vehicle technologies.

Product overview

Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) is India's apex sector skill council for the automotive industry, offering a portfolio structured around a central NSQF-aligned training and certification framework (delivered through 300+ affiliated training institutions) augmented by modular certifications such as the Smart Manufacturing Technician and Robotics Technician credentials, workforce development programs (Apprenticeship Programs and Upskilling Programs), a flagship student-facing National Automobile Olympiad run with CBSE, and multiple partner-branded training programs including Project Vahaan and Project EV Shiksha (Michelin India), LIS Unnati (Lucas Indian Service), the Michelin-ASDC-HCL Foundation Driver Training Program, the tripartite ASDC-FADA Academy-Prayaas Trust training network, and the MITS-Eicher Mobile Training Van initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NSQF-Aligned Automotive Training and Certification Framework
• Smart Manufacturing Technician Certification
• Robotics Technician Certification
• National Automobile Olympiad
• Apprenticeship Programs
• Upskilling Programs
• Project Vahaan
• Project EV Shiksha
• LIS Unnati
• Michelin-ASDC-HCL Foundation Driver Training and Certification Program
• Tripartite Automotive Skills Training Network (ASDC-FADA Academy-Prayaas Trust)
• MITS-Eicher-ASDC Mobile Training Van Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained and certified 156 drivers in partnership with Michelin India and HCL Foundation, transitioning informal labor into formal employment
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Eicher MotorscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2026Eicher Motors partnered with ASDC and MITS Deemed to be University in Tirupati for specialized automotive technology training using the Eicher Mobile Training Van and live demonstrations on BS-VI engines, fault diagnosis, and advanced vehicle electronics.
• MITS Deemed to be University (Tirupati)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 30 May 2026MITS Deemed to be University in Tirupati hosted specialized automotive technology training in collaboration with Eicher Motors and ASDC, with university vice principal Dr Kamal Basha emphasizing industry-academia partnerships.
• SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2026SIAM organized the first Automotive HR Youth Workshop 2026 in New Delhi, with ASDC participating in discussions on workforce transformation, reskilling, and industry-academia collaboration.
• CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026ASDC and CBSE jointly launched the fifth edition of the National Automobile Olympiad 2026 for Classes VI to XII students, themed "Skilled Hands, Strong Nation: Building India's Automotive Future."
• Honda Motorcycle and Scooter IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2026Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India hosted the final round of the National Automobile Olympiad 2026 at its Manesar facility in Gurugram.
• Lucas Indian Service Limited (LIS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 May 2026LIS partnered with ASDC and NIMI under the Government of India for the 'LIS Unnati' nationwide CSR initiative to skill IAM mechanics and rural youth. Programs have already benefited over 200 mechanics across Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, and include technical textbooks for ITIs in multiple languages.
• HCL FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2026ASDC, supported by Michelin India and HCL Foundation, launched a program to train and certify 156 drivers, transitioning informal labor into formal employment and improving their earnings.
• Michelin IndiacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026Michelin partnered with ASDC to complete Project Vahaan (safe driving) and Project EV Shiksha (EV maintenance) convocation in Pune. The programs trained 65 candidates and support sustainable mobility and formal employment.
• Tata CommunicationsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2026ASDC and Tata Communications co-participated in a panel at the Smart Mobility India Expo on connected vehicle data, AI integration, monetization strategies, and V2X infrastructure.
• Intent PlatformminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 12 February 2026Intent Platform co-participated with ASDC and Tata Communications in the Smart Mobility India Expo panel on connected vehicle business models.
• Toyota Kirloskar MotorflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025Toyota Kirloskar Motor, in partnership with CBSE and ASDC, hosted the National Automobile Olympiad 2025 at its Bidadi, Karnataka manufacturing facility, including industry masterclasses, competitive assessments, and practical training sessions.
• Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 December 2025TTTI partnered with ASDC and CBSE for the National Automobile Olympiad 2025, supporting technical training delivery and assessments.
• FADA Academy (Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 September 2025Tripartite agreement between ASDC, FADA Academy, and Prayaas Trust to expand automotive training from 3 to 20 centers across India, training 5,000 individuals over three years with 30% seats reserved for women.
• Prayaas TrustcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 12 September 2025Prayaas Trust co-signed the tripartite agreement with ASDC and FADA Academy, contributing grassroots training delivery expertise for the expanded 20-center program.
• Mahindra & MahindraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMahindra & Mahindra is engaging in skilling partnerships with institutions like the Automotive Skills Development Council to address supply chain talent shortages, as labour shortages at suppliers led to production cuts of up to 15%.
• Tata MotorsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTata Motors is contending with supply chain talent shortages and engaging in skilling partnerships with the Automotive Skills Development Council amid EV portfolio expansion.
• Bajaj AutominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBajaj Auto is contending with supply chain talent shortages and engaging with the Automotive Skills Development Council for workforce skilling amid EV portfolio expansion.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Electronics Sector Skills Council of India (ESSCI): ESSCI is a Sector Skill Council under NSDC covering electronics and hardware, with materially overlapping OEM/automotive adjacency. It is directly comparable to ASDC because it sets NSQF-aligned curricula, runs certification programs, and works with the same automotive electronics workforce that ASDC targets.
• Retail Association Skill Council of India (RASCI): RASCI is a Sector Skill Council for the retail industry under NSDC. It is comparable to ASDC because it delivers the same industry-association-promoted, NSQF-aligned certification and apprenticeship model across a parallel industry vertical.
• Food Industry Capacity & Skill Initiative (FICSI): FICSI is a Sector Skill Council for the food processing industry. It is comparable to ASDC because it follows the same NSQF-aligned, industry-association-promoted certification and training institution affiliation model in a parallel industrial sector.
• IT-ITeS Sector Skill Council (NASSCOM): The IT-ITeS SSC, promoted by NASSCOM, is one of India's largest sector skill councils. It is directly comparable to ASDC as a sector skills council running NSQF-aligned training, certification, and apprenticeship programs at scale through an industry-association-led governance model.
• Telecom Sector Skill Council (TSSC): TSSC is a Sector Skill Council under NSDC for the telecom industry. It is comparable to ASDC because it pursues an identical operating model — industry-association-promoted, NSQF-aligned certifications, OEM-style employer partnerships, and affiliated training institutions.
• Capital Goods Skill Council (CGSC): CGSC is a Sector Skill Council covering capital goods and heavy manufacturing with shared OEM and Industry 4.0 training adjacencies. It is comparable to ASDC because it operates the same NSQF-aligned certification and apprenticeship model for a parallel industrial workforce feeding automotive supply chains.
• Healthcare Sector Skill Council (HSSC): HSSC is a Sector Skill Council focused on healthcare workforce development. It is comparable to ASDC because it runs the same NSQF-aligned curriculum, certification, and affiliation model — making it a structural twin in a different industry vertical.
• Logistics Sector Skill Council (LSC): LSC is a Sector Skill Council for India's logistics industry. It is comparable to ASDC because it operates the same NSQF certification framework with employer partnerships and affiliated training institutions — making it a structural peer in the same NSDC ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC): NSDC is the apex public-private umbrella body overseeing India's Sector Skills Councils, including ASDC. It is comparable as the institutional parent and funding counterparty that anchors the entire sector skill council ecosystem in which ASDC operates.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) / Skill India: PMKVY is the Government of India's flagship skilling scheme under the Skill India mission, and NIMI (an ASDC partner) is part of this ecosystem. It is comparable to ASDC because it is the largest public funder and standards-setter for short-term vocational training, including automotive, that ASDC's certified programs ultimately feed into.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SkillsASDC
• Facebookfacebook.com/AutomotiveSkillsDevelopmentCouncil

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC)