The Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ), Udupi, was unveiled as a new centre of excellence on April 28, by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, marking an expansion of industry-led skill development initiatives for the gem and jewellery sector.

The inauguration ceremony in Udupi, Karnataka, was attended by Kota Shrinivas Poojari, Member of Parliament; Yashpal A. Suvarna, MLA, Udupi; Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA, Kaup Assembly Constituency; Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC); Shaunak Parikh, Vice Chairman, GJEPC; Mahender Tayal, Regional Chairman, Southern Region, GJEPC; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC.

The new IIGJ Udupi centre will focus on training students in jewellery design, manufacturing and emerging technologies, while supporting skill development for artisans and industry professionals across southern India. Nirmala Sitharaman said, “IIGJ Udupi stands as a strong example of how industry-led skilling can transform lives and create opportunities for youth across southern India. The institute is empowering students from Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and beyond with employable skills, entrepreneurial opportunities and pathways to prosperity.”

She added that the institute’s training programmes have been aligned with global market requirements and evolving industry standards through support from GJEPC. A key development announced during the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between IIGJ and IIT Madras (InCent-LGD) to introduce a certification programme in lab-grown diamond technologies. The programme aims to create trained professionals for the growing lab-grown diamond segment and support value-added manufacturing.

Kirit Bhansali said, “In the last four years alone, IIGJ centres across the country have trained over 7,000 students, building a strong talent pool for the industry. Today, the Indian gem and jewellery sector contributes nearly $ 28 billion in exports and supports over 5 million livelihoods.” He added that the industry’s transition towards a design-led and technology-driven ecosystem would increase demand for skilled professionals and support India’s export ambitions.

Shaunak Parikh said, “Investments in skilling and education through institutions like IIGJ will be critical to sustaining India’s leadership in the global gem and jewellery sector.” IIGJ currently offers more than 40 specialized programmes, including degree, diploma and postgraduate courses, aligned with Skill India and PM Vishwakarma Yojana initiatives.