Maruti Suzuki Opens Fourth Japan-India Manufacturing Institute in Sonipat

Maruti Suzuki India Limited has opened admissions for its fourth Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing (JIM) at Master Atul Government ITI in Sonipat, Haryana. The facility will accommodate over 100 students in its first batch across four trades: Mechanic Motor Vehicle, Machinist, Welder, and Fitter. Classes are scheduled to begin in September 2025.

The company has allocated ₹10 crore for establishing JIM Sonipat, marking its second such facility in Haryana after the institute at Uncha Majra. Maruti Suzuki now operates four JIMs across India, with existing facilities in Mehsana and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.

JIM Sonipat operates under affiliation with the National Council for Vocational Training and accreditation from Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. The institute follows a dual training system that combines theoretical education with practical on-the-job experience, incorporating safety protocols, quality standards, discipline, kaizen principles, and other Japanese manufacturing practices specific to automobile production.

Haryana Minister of State Gaurav Gautam praised the initiative, stating it aligns with the Prime Minister's Skill India Mission and contributes to the state's economic development. Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer for Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki, emphasized the company's commitment to supporting government skill development programs and preparing students for employment opportunities across the automobile sector.

Under the agreement establishing JIM Sonipat, the Haryana government provided land and building infrastructure, while Maruti Suzuki handled civil infrastructure upgrades, equipment installation, assembly line setup for practical training, training module design, and operational management.

The Japan-India Institute for Manufacturing program originated from a 2016 collaboration between the Japanese and Indian governments. The partnership established a Manufacturing Skill Transfer Promotion Programme aimed at training 30,000 young people in India over ten years. Since inception, the three existing JIMs have trained over 2,100 students.

Maruti Suzuki's skill development approach extends beyond JIM establishments. The company supports 23 Industrial Training Institutes nationwide through skill labs and specialized training programs. It has installed high-voltage training equipment for hybrid and electric vehicle education in 130 ITIs and established Automobile Skill Enhancement Centres in 31 ITIs for automotive servicing and repair training. The company also operates apprenticeship programs for ITI graduates.

Maruti Suzuki's total corporate social responsibility spending on skill development initiatives has exceeded ₹450 crore through fiscal year 2024-25, reflecting the company's investment in workforce development for India's automotive manufacturing sector.