Tender Summary at a Glance
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| State | Pan India (Govt. of India) |
| Issuing Authority | Directorate General of Training (DGT), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship |
| Title of Tender/RFP | Selection of Service Provider to Conduct End-to-End Computer Based Test and Engineering Drawing Examination |
| Value of the Tender | Not specified in EOI (Will be part of RFP) |
| Tender Fee | Not specified in EOI (Generally, EOIs are free; RFP may have a fee) |
| EMD | Not applicable for EOI |
| Last Date of Submission | Within 21 days from publishing (i.e., 24 March 2026) |
| Time of Submission | up to 5:00 PM |
| Mode of Submission | Online (e-Procurement Portal: www.eprocure.gov.in) |
| DOWNLOAD Tender/EOI | DOWNLOAD REOI Click Here to Download from DGT Website |
1. Introduction
The Directorate General of Training (DGT), operating under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, is the apex body for formulating and coordinating long-term vocational training programs in the country. It oversees major training schemes including the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS), Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS), Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS), and the Flexi MoU scheme.
To ensure transparency, efficiency, and scalability in its assessment processes, DGT manages a vast network of trainees. The theory examinations for these schemes are conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) mode. Furthermore, DGT is introducing Engineering Drawing (ED) examinations in pen-and-paper mode, which will be followed by venue-level scanning and digital evaluation.
To manage this massive, pan-India examination lifecycle, DGT invites this Expression of Interest (EOI) from qualified and experienced Service Providers. This is a crucial skill tender aimed at modernizing the assessment framework for India’s vocational training ecosystem.
2. Objective
The primary objective of this EOI for Skill Development Training examination management is to shortlist competent and technically capable agencies. The final selected Service Provider (SP) will be responsible for the end-to-end conduct of Computer Based Tests and the newly introduced Engineering Drawing examinations for candidates enrolled under various DGT schemes across India.
This pre-qualification stage (EOI) is designed to filter applicants based on their legal standing, financial health, technical infrastructure, and proven experience. Only the shortlisted agencies will be invited to submit a detailed proposal in the subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP) stage. This ensures that the final bidding process is limited to the most capable players in the examination services domain.
3. Key Dates
- REOI Release Date: 3 March 2026
- Pre-EOI Conference Date: To be intimated on the DGT website.
- Last Date for Submission of EOI: Within 21 days from the date of publishing (i.e., 24 March 2026). Bidders are advised to check the portals for any extensions.
- Validity of EOI: Proposals must remain valid for 120 days from the submission deadline.
4. EMD and Tender Fees
- Earnest Money Deposit (EMD): This is a pre-qualification EOI document. Therefore, no EMD is required to be submitted at this stage. Financial details and bid security will be part of the subsequent RFP.
- Tender/EOI Fee: The document is available for free download from the official DGT website and the Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP). No tender fee is applicable for this EOI.
5. Scope of Work
The scope of work is comprehensive and divided into three main phases, covering the examination lifecycle for approximately 14-20 lakh candidates annually.
A. Pre-Examination / Preparatory Phase:
- Planning: Developing a comprehensive exam schedule, ensuring sufficient time between papers for candidates.
- Infrastructure: Identifying and setting up exam centers across India, ensuring they meet stringent specifications for hardware (computers with specs like 1.5 GHz CPU, 4GB RAM), software, CCTV surveillance (with 6-month storage), power backup (UPS/Generator), and accessibility.
- Candidate Management: Transferring candidate data from DGT portals via APIs, managing seat allocation, and facilitating hall ticket generation.
- Question Bank Management: Securely storing question banks provided by DGT in English and regional languages (as per Annexure III), and enabling random generation of question papers.
- Engineering Drawing (ED) Infrastructure: Arranging A4 answer booklets, high-speed scanners (300 dpi), and a secure, web-based digital evaluation platform for anonymized marking by examiners.
- Audit Trails: Conducting pre-exam audits of centers and providing detailed click-by-click activity logs to DGT or a third-party auditor.
B. Examination Phase:
- Manpower Deployment: Providing trained staff including Center Administrators, IT Managers (1 per 100 candidates), Invigilators (1 per 50 candidates), and security personnel.
- Identity Verification: Implementing an AI/ML-based facial recognition and geofencing mobile application for real-time candidate verification and attendance, with 90% accuracy. The outcome (“Present” or “Flagged”) must be transmitted to the DGT portal in real-time via APIs.
- Conduct of Exam: Executing the CBT and pen-and-paper ED exams smoothly, ensuring features like exam resume functionality, bilingual question papers, and disabling of unauthorized system functions.
- Contingency Planning: Having a robust plan to handle emergencies, including shifting candidates if necessary.
C. Post-Examination Phase:
- Evaluation & Results: Calculating marks, handling normalization or grace marks, and uploading scores to the DGT portal via API.
- Data Archiving & Transparency: Providing web-based access for candidates to view their response sheets. Archiving all exam data, including logs, response sheets, and scanned ED sheets for at least one year.
- Analytics: Providing post-examination analytics, including item analysis, student performance, and forensic analysis to identify suspicious activities.
- Re-examinations: Conducting re-exams within 15 days and supplementary exams on a half-yearly basis as scheduled.
6. Eligibility of Service Providers (Pre-qualification Criteria)
Bidders must meet all the following criteria and provide supporting documentary evidence:
| Parameter | Eligibility Criteria |
|---|---|
| Legal Entity | A company incorporated in India under the Companies Act 2013, in existence for the last 5 financial years (as on 31 March 2025). Must have valid PAN and GST. Consortium/Joint Venture bids are not allowed. |
| Financial Turnover | Minimum average annual turnover of ₹70 Crores from online examination/assessment business for FY 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25. |
| Financial Strength | Positive Net Worth for the last three financial years (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25). |
| Infrastructure | Must have registered offices in at least 5 States/UTs across India. |
| Experience | <ul><li>Minimum 3 years (ending Dec 2025) of experience in conducting online exams/CBT.</li><li>Must have conducted a PAN India exam in 200+ districts covering at least 20 states in a single exam cycle.</li><li>Must have conducted an online exam for 1 lakh+ candidates in a single day at least once in the preceding 3 calendar years.</li></ul> |
| Non-Blacklisting | The bidder must not be blacklisted or debarred by any Government agency for examination-related activities. A self-declaration (Form C) is required. |
| Certification | Must have a valid CMMI Level 3 certification for both services and development. |
| Manpower | Minimum overall staff strength of 200 personnel on its rolls as of the EOI submission date. |
7. Selection Criteria & Empanelment Procedure
- Evaluation: DGT will evaluate all submitted EOIs against the pre-qualification criteria listed in Section 5. Inability to submit requisite documents will lead to rejection.
- Shortlisting: Bidders who meet all the criteria will be shortlisted.
- Ranking & Restriction: If the number of qualified bidders is large, the shortlist will be restricted to eight (8) Service Providers based on their higher average turnover from the last three financial years.
- Notification: The list of shortlisted bidders will be published on the DGT website.
- Empanelment (for RFP): Shortlisting through this EOI is not the final empanelment. It is an administrative process that grants eligibility to participate in the next stage.
- RFP Issuance: A Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued exclusively to these shortlisted Service Providers for the final selection. The shortlisting remains valid for six months from the date of declaration.
8. Eligible Beneficiaries
The selected Service Provider will conduct examinations for candidates enrolled under the following schemes of the Directorate General of Training:
- Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS): Trainees in Government and Private ITIs.
- Craft Instructor Training Scheme (CITS): Trainees in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) and Institutes for Training of Trainers (ITOTs).
- Apprenticeship Training Scheme (ATS): Apprentices enrolled across the country.
- Flexi MoU Scheme: Candidates trained under MoUs with Industrial Training Partners, including Agnipath scheme aspirants (Agniveers).
- Any other future schemes introduced by DGT.
9. Total Target to be Trained/Examined
The scale of the project is immense, covering approximately:
- CTS: ~14 lakh (first year) + ~8 lakh (second year) trainees annually, plus ~3.5 lakh for supplementary exams.
- CITS: ~13,000 trainees annually, plus ~45,000 for entrance exams.
- ATS: ~10,000 apprentices annually.
- Flexi MoU: ~6,000 candidates, plus an expected 50,000 Agniveers in 2026.
- Total: The service provider must be capable of handling over 1 lakh candidates in a single day.
10. Job Roles / Focus Area
The examinations are for vocational training graduates in:
- Engineering Trades: 86 trades (e.g., Fitter, Electrician, Turner, Machinist, Welder, etc.)
- Non-Engineering Trades: 78 trades.
- Courses for Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 5 courses.
- The focus is on conducting Computer Based Tests (CBT) for theory papers and Pen-and-Paper exams with digital evaluation for Engineering Drawing (ED) .
11. Duration of Engagement
The duration of the contract will be specified in the subsequent RFP document. The EOI shortlisting is valid for six months, during which the RFP is expected to be issued.
12. Funding and Payment Conditions
- Funding Agency: DGT, Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India.
- Payment Terms: Not covered in this EOI. Detailed payment schedules, milestones, and conditions will be outlined in the RFP, which will be issued to shortlisted bidders.
- Commercial Bid: The cost of services (e.g., hardware on rent, manpower, software usage) will be quoted in the commercial bid during the RFP stage.
13. Mode of Submission and Address for Submission
- Mode: Strictly Online. No manual submissions will be accepted.
- Portal: e-Procurement Portal of Government of India (www.eprocure.gov.in).
- Process: Bidders must be registered on the portal, possess a valid Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), and upload the complete EOI response with all supporting documents in PDF format. The documents must not be password protected.
- Address for Correspondence (for offline queries):
Director (TTC),
Directorate General of Training,
Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship,
7th Floor, Kaushal Bhawan, New Moti Bagh,
New Delhi – 110023
14. Other Important Terms and Conditions
- Right to Reject: DGT reserves the right to accept or reject any or all EOIs, or cancel the process entirely, without any liability to the bidders.
- Conflict of Interest: Bidders must not have any conflict of interest as defined in Section 7 of the document (e.g., common control with another bidder, relationship with DGT staff). Such EOIs will be rejected.
- Corrigenda/Addenda: DGT may issue amendments to the REOI. Bidders must regularly check the website for updates.
- Pre-EOI Conference: A pre-EOI conference will be held at the DGT office. Participation is optional but recommended for clarification.
- Governing Law: The procurement process will be governed by the laws of India.
- API Integration: The selected service provider must develop and maintain APIs for seamless data flow with DGT’s existing portals (e.g., Skill India Digital Hub).
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