Sambalpur, Feb. 15 -- Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi accords greater importance to skills than formal degrees, citing the Union Budget 2026-27 to highlight the government's focus on youth power, manufacturing, the new-age economy and MSMEs.

Speaking to the media in Sambalpur, Pradhan said, "The Prime Minister says that skills are more important than degrees in the life of youth... The budget has emphasised youth power, manufacturing, new age economy and MSME."

Referring to industry participation in skill development, Pradhan noted that the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), one of India's largest business organisations, has opened the state's first skill development centre i...