PATNA, Aug. 13 -- The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of the Kushal Yuva scheme for five more years, until 2030-31. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by chief minister Samrat Choudhary, which saw approval of ten proposals. Under the flagship Saat Nischay-3 initiative-specifically its "double employment, double income" pillar-the Bihar Skill Development Mission's Kushal Yuva scheme will continue from the financial year 2026-27 through 2030-31. The government has allocated Rs.430.08 crore for the programme in 2026-27 alone. Talking to media persons after the meeting, additional chief secretary (cabinet) Md Sohail said the curriculum will be recalibrated to reflect rapid advances in artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Training modules will now cover solar energy, drone technology, networking, home nursing, multi-skilled laboratory technicians, emergency medical technicians, beauty and wellness, web and information technology, digital marketing, banking and financial services, Tally, language skills and entrepreneurship. The network of 6,436 training centres is expected to skill approximately 257,000 youths every year, generating both direct employment at the centres and wider self-employment opportunities as trained candidates launch their own ventures. The cabinet also tightened the admission process for private Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Henceforth, 50 per cent of the approved seats in private ITIs will be filled through the Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination Board, Patna. The change is intended to bring greater transparency and standardisation to ITI enrolments across the state. Under the higher education department, the cabinet okayed the implementation framework (Annexure-A) for the Bihar Student Credit Card Yojana 2026-2031. The decision aims to make financial assistance for students pursuing higher education more comprehensive, accessible, quality-driven and financially sustainable over the long term. The scheme has been strengthened and extended for the next five years, covering the financial years 2026-27 to 2030-31. For the current financial year 2026-27 alone, the cabinet sanctioned an expenditure of Rs.950 crore. Separately, under the energy department, the cabinet approved additional state financial support under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. Residential consumers will receive state assistance of Rs.10,000 per kilowatt, capped at a maximum of Rs.20,000 per consumer, over and above the central share. The amount will be transferred directly through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism for a period of one year. The estimated expenditure for this additional support stands at Rs.1,000 crore. The decisions form part of Bihar's ongoing drive to modernise skill development and higher education infrastructure in line with national frameworks while addressing the state's long-standing challenge of matching youth aspirations with available opportunities....