Udupi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday inaugurated the new premises of the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery, highlighting its role in skill development, entrepreneurship and strengthening India’s jewellery export sector.
Addressing the gathering, Sitharaman praised the institute for providing professional training at affordable costs and enabling youth to build careers in the gems and jewellery industry.
Growth since inception
The minister noted that the institute, established in 2016 with support from the Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council and the district administration, has grown steadily despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We started in a very small place, unsure of the response. Today, advanced facilities including CAD and 3D printing are available, enabling students to gain industry-relevant skills,” she said.
She added that the institute has attracted students not only from across Karnataka but also from neighbouring states, reflecting its expanding reach and reputation.
Promoting entrepreneurship
Highlighting success stories, Sitharaman said several students who joined without prior experience are now running successful jewellery businesses in their hometowns.
“Students have come from Karwar, Chitradurga, Raichur, and even Tamil Nadu. Many have returned to start enterprises, contributing to local economies,” she said.
She emphasised that training at the institute is significantly more affordable compared to international programmes, making professional skill development accessible to a wider section of youth.
Boost to jewellery exports
The minister underlined the importance of skilled manpower in strengthening India’s jewellery exports. She pointed out that the coastal belt—from Ratnagiri to Kerala—has a long-standing tradition in jewellery craftsmanship catering to the Indian diaspora.
Centres like IIGJ, she said, play a crucial role in enhancing value-added manufacturing and creating employment opportunities.
She also commended the collaboration between government bodies, GJEPC and local jewellers, noting that around 600 students were trained at the institute last year.
MoU with IIT Madras
During the event, Sitharaman witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between IIGJ and Indian Institute of Technology Madras under the InCent LGD platform.
The partnership aims to introduce a specialised certification programme in lab-grown diamond (LGD) technologies, designed to bridge critical skill gaps and create job-ready professionals.
According to the minister’s office, the initiative is expected to boost value-added manufacturing and strengthen India’s position in the global lab-grown diamond market, aligning with national initiatives such as Make in India and Skill India.
Advancements in LGD research
The minister also highlighted the ₹242 crore grant announced in the Union Budget 2023–24 for lab-grown diamond research at IIT Madras. The funding is being used to develop a world-class ecosystem for LGD technologies.
Under the InCent initiative, India’s first indigenously designed scaled prototype of a High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) LGD machine has been developed and installed at IIT Madras. Imported commercial HPHT machines have also been set up for benchmarking purposes.
Interaction with students
Sitharaman witnessed a demonstration of the “Design to Manufacturing” process by students at IIGJ Udupi and interacted with trainees and entrepreneurs from the gems and jewellery sector.
She urged greater awareness about such institutions to encourage more youth to enrol, describing IIGJ as a model of public-private partnership that promotes both skill development and entrepreneurship.
Conclusion
The inauguration of the IIGJ campus in Udupi marks a significant step in strengthening India’s gems and jewellery ecosystem. With industry-oriented training, technological advancements and institutional collaborations, the initiative is expected to generate employment and support the country’s ambitions of becoming a global leader in the sector.