Building a Tech-Driven and Self-Reliant India

New Delhi, October 22, 2025: In a major step toward building an AI-ready nation, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme to equip students and educators with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) skills. The initiative, aligned with the government’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, seeks to prepare India’s youth for the digital economy through structured learning and hands-on training in AI.

Preparing India for the AI Revolution

SOAR focuses on empowering students from Classes 6 to 12, along with educators, through specially designed AI learning modules. The programme features three 15-hour modules for students and an independent 45-hour module for teachers, covering essential concepts such as machine learning, ethical AI use, and practical applications of technology in education.

With ₹500 crore allocated in the Union Budget 2025–26 for establishing a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education, the initiative aims to make AI an integral part of India’s learning ecosystem. Between FY 2022–23 and FY 2025–26, over 1,480 apprentices have already been trained in AI roles such as Data Engineer and Machine Learning Engineer under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS-2).

Fostering Digital Inclusion and Self-Reliance

The SOAR programme is designed to nurture AI awareness and bridge the digital divide between rural and urban regions. Through platforms like the Skill India Digital Hub, it ensures that both government and private school students have equal access to digital learning.

The initiative also supports Atmanirbhar Bharat by creating a skilled workforce capable of contributing to India’s growing AI-driven industries — from digital innovation and IT services to education technology and analytics.

Aligning with NEP 2020 and Skill India Mission

The SOAR framework complements the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages the integration of modern subjects like Artificial Intelligence into school curricula. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had earlier introduced AI as a subject in Classes IX and XI, promoting project-based learning and real-world application.

Additionally, MSDE’s efforts are supported by initiatives under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), all aimed at developing a future-ready workforce equipped with next-generation skills.

Centre for AI Excellence: Advancing Innovation in Education

To strengthen India’s AI ecosystem, the government is establishing a Centre for AI Excellence that will focus on AI adoption in education, research, and language technology. The centre will also promote innovative learning models, helping classrooms transition “from chalkboards to chipsets.”

Institutions like the IITs are also expanding their AI-related academic offerings, including advanced courses in Deep Learning, Predictive Data Analytics, and Machine Learning.

Towards a Future-Ready India

By embedding AI learning across different educational levels, SOAR aims to produce a generation of AI-literate students and skilled educators. The programme not only enhances employability but also encourages ethical AI practices and innovation-driven entrepreneurship among youth.

Through strategic collaboration and inclusivity, SOAR plays a pivotal role in India’s journey toward becoming a global AI hub, fostering digital empowerment and sustainable growth.

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