Maruti Suzuki Targets 30% Women Enrolment at JIM Manesar by 2028-29

Manesar / New Delhi, India, September 21, 2026: Maruti Suzuki India Limited is stepping up efforts to increase women’s participation in India’s automotive manufacturing workforce, with its Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) at Uncha Majra, Manesar, targeting women to account for 30% of total student admissions by the 2028-29 academic year.

The initiative is aimed at creating a stronger pipeline of trained women for India’s manufacturing sector by providing industry-focused vocational training and greater access to employment opportunities in the automotive industry.

JIMs are a collaborative initiative between the Governments of India and Japan, established to develop a skilled workforce for India’s manufacturing sector. Maruti Suzuki currently operates four JIMs, located at Mehsana and Gandhinagar in Gujarat, and Uncha Majra, Manesar and Sonipat in Haryana.

Maruti Suzuki expands women enrolment at JIM Manesar

JIM Uncha Majra, Manesar is increasing the enrolment of female students in line with regional employment opportunities. The institute has recorded steady growth in female enrolment over the past two academic years and is now working towards achieving a 30% share of women in total admissions by AY 2028-29.

The institute offers courses across nine trades, with a primary focus on the automotive sector.

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said diversity is important for developing a complete set of skills in the manufacturing sector. He added that the company is working to increase women’s participation in manufacturing by making young women more aware of career opportunities in the sector.

The institute has already seen strong academic performance from its female students. Two female students from JIM Uncha Majra emerged as Haryana state toppers in manufacturing trades this year, highlighting the potential of women pursuing careers in manufacturing.

Maruti Suzuki said it is taking a broader approach to increasing female enrolment by creating a more supportive and inclusive learning environment.

As part of the initiative, JIM Uncha Majra has a dedicated women’s hostel and is increasing women’s representation across its faculty and support functions. From the current academic year, the institute has also introduced a 100% tuition fee waiver for women students.

The company expects these measures to encourage more young women to consider manufacturing as a career and contribute to the growth of India’s industrial workforce.

JIM Manesar students secure top ranks

Students from JIM Uncha Majra, Manesar have continued to perform strongly in state-level examinations.

This year, students from the institute secured top ranks across four trades. In two of these trades, students from JIM Uncha Majra occupied all three top-ranking positions.

The results come as Maruti Suzuki and the JIM programme seek to expand access to technical and vocational education for women while creating a skilled workforce aligned with the requirements of India’s manufacturing industry.

Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing focus on advanced skills

The Japan-India Institutes for Manufacturing were established through collaboration between the Governments of India and Japan to promote skill development and manufacturing excellence.

JIMs offer vocational training aligned with the requirements of advanced manufacturing, combining classroom education with practical industry exposure.

The institutes are affiliated with India’s National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) and accredited by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). They follow the Dual System of Training (DST), which combines classroom instruction with industry-based training.

Students undergo seven months of paid industry training every year, providing practical exposure to manufacturing operations while also offering an “Earn while you Learn” opportunity.

The curriculum covers advanced manufacturing techniques, efficient shop-floor practices based on Japanese manufacturing principles and essential soft skills aimed at improving employability.

With state-of-the-art infrastructure and industry-linked training, the JIM network is designed to support the development of skilled manpower for India’s evolving manufacturing sector.