The Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UP Board) will make vocational education mandatory for Classes 9 and 11 from the 2026 academic session to enhance students’ employability, officials said Friday.

UP Board Secretary Bhagwati Singh stated that expert committees have approved curricula for vocational trades including information technology, electronics, apparel, and beauty & wellness. The employment-oriented courses were developed through multiple rounds of expert meetings under the guidance of Additional Secretary Satyendra Kumar Singh and Skand Shukla, focusing on industry needs, current technologies, and skill development for better job readiness.