Over 1 lakh registrations for Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Mega Job Fair; more than 400 fairs being held across Konkan and Nashik divisions
Mumbai, Sept 2026 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said the state government is working to provide young people with employment opportunities at the international level by integrating education with skill development, training and employment.
Speaking at the online launch of the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Mega Job Fair for all districts in the Konkan and Nashik divisions at SNDT Women’s University, Fadnavis said obtaining a degree alone was no longer sufficient in a rapidly changing technological environment.
He stressed the need for continuous upskilling in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and quantum computing. “There is a huge demand for manpower in more than 28 countries across the world, and the government is making efforts to provide Maharashtra’s youth with international employment opportunities,” he said.
The programme was organised by the Department of Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde conveyed his greetings through a video message.
Fadnavis said the job fair was being organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to mark 25 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He expressed hope that the initiative would create maximum employment and self-employment opportunities for youth in the Konkan and Nashik divisions.
He said education, training and employment formed a crucial three-pronged approach for building the human resources required for a developed India by 2047. Employment fairs, he added, serve as an important bridge between employers seeking skilled manpower and young people looking for jobs.
During the programme, Fadnavis handed appointment letters to Sahida Paramanik, appointed by Creva Capital Services Pvt Ltd, Belapur, and Kanti Shambhu Chavan, appointed by the company’s Kurla office.
Skill Development, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha said more than one lakh young people had registered for the job fairs. Unlike earlier initiatives focused mainly on ITI students, at least three smaller job fairs are being organised in every taluka for youth from different educational backgrounds.
He said seven-day free pre-employment training had been provided to 61,000 candidates so far, adding that the department aimed to connect at least 70 per cent of participating youth with employment or self-employment opportunities.
Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil said his department was working alongside the Skill Development Department to ensure that educational qualifications translated into employment opportunities. Training in interview skills, personality development, soft skills, communication and management would also be provided.
Marketing Minister Jaykumar Rawal said Maharashtra was emerging as a major investment destination and startup hub. He said the government was preparing youth for overseas employment by providing language and skill training. He also highlighted the Mobility project, through which Rs 2,500 crore is being spent in the agriculture and marketing sectors to connect farmers’ children with industry and employment.
More than 400 job fairs are being organised across 12 districts of the Konkan and Nashik divisions. Over 1,500 employers and more than one lakh job seekers have registered, while participating companies have reported demand for over 25,000 job vacancies.
A special women’s employment fair was also organised at SNDT Women’s University, with 36 employers participating. Government schemes promoting self-employment were showcased through dedicated stalls.
