India celebrated a landmark occasion, 10 years of the Skill India Mission, with the unveiling of several forward-looking initiatives at Bharat SkillNXT 2025, hosted at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event not only celebrated the journey of the Skill India Mission but also set the stage for the next era of inclusive, AI-driven, and industry-aligned skilling.
India’s AI-ready vision for school students
Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE and Minister of State, Education, Government of India, emphasized the need to equip India’s youth, particularly its vast school-going population with future skills. Launching the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative, he highlighted India’s bold ambition to become the global leader in AI literacy for children.
“In the next six months, India’s school-going population could make a powerful global statement—that we are home to the world’s largest network of young learners who are not just being introduced to AI, but actively applying it,” said Shri Chaudhary.
SOAR aims to introduce AI fundamentals to students from Classes 6–12 through a structured, modular curriculum. It also includes a dedicated 45-hour training module for educators to foster AI readiness across geographies.
Key launches at Bharat SkillNXT 2025
The event witnessed the rollout of multiple national-level platforms, portals, and guidelines that will shape India’s skill development journey:
- IndiaSkills 2025–2026 Registration Portal and Guidelines: Opened the registration for aspirants aiming to represent India in global skill competitions. Register here
- SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness): National AI skilling initiative for school students and teachers.
- KaushalVerse Digital Enterprise Portal: A next-generation platform by NCVET for transparent and efficient skill regulation.
- Revised NCVET Guidelines: Updated frameworks for recognition and regulation of Assessment Agencies and Awarding Bodies, aligned with NEP 2020 and the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
- Apprenticeship Training Portal (Revamped): Enhanced UI/UX for streamlined lifecycle management of apprenticeship programs.
- Skill Impact Bond (SIB): World’s largest outcome-based skilling fund, mobilizing $14.4 million to improve skilling ROI and employment outcomes.
- Sector-Specific Reports and Handbooks:
- India Semiconductor Workforce Strategy
- JSS Employability Skills Handbook
- “Transforming Skill Development through Decentralized Planning” (SANKALP)
Industry and academic collaborations through strategic MoUs
A major highlight was the exchange of MoUs between MSDE and leading institutions across the globe and within India to drive skill development through collaborative efforts:
- Indo-French MoU on Vocational Education: Signed between MSDE and the Government of the French Republic, promoting joint curricula, Centres of Excellence, and talent exchange.
- Academic Partnerships under PMKVY 4.0: MoUs signed with IITs (Patna, Hyderabad), IIIT Una, NIT Agartala, and Rashtriya Raksha University, covering sectors like AI, Electronics, Green Jobs, and Cybersecurity.
- Healthcare and Deep Tech Training: Partnerships with Apollo MedSkills, SLN Technologies, and Microsoft, among others, to enhance training in healthcare, semiconductors, and IT.
Celebrating impact and recognizing excellence
Beneficiaries of flagship programs like NAPS, PM Vishwakarma, NIESBUD, IIE, and Skill Impact Bond shared their transformative experiences. Six top-performing ITIs were also felicitated for their excellence in vocational training delivery.
Shri Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and IT, emphasized the role of skills in India’s transformation, linking them with national growth through emerging sectors like semiconductors and global trade agreements.
Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education, underlined NEP 2020’s emphasis on integrating vocational education into mainstream learning and building a system of mobility and opportunity. “This is not just about preparing youth for employment; it is about preparing them for life,” he stated.
From skilling to nation-building: A vision
As India moves toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the initiatives announced at Bharat SkillNXT 2025 reflect a comprehensive and inclusive approach to skilling. With AI integration in schools, digital regulation frameworks, global partnerships, and learner-centric planning, the country is paving the way for a future-ready, resilient workforce.
