India’s journey towards an AI-ready workforce gained fresh momentum with President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, announcing the national #SkillTheNation Challenge at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The announcement was made during a special program under SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness, organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).
The event marked a national call to action for AI awareness, positioning Artificial Intelligence literacy as a core pillar of India’s future-ready education and skilling ecosystem.
The program was organised with three clear objectives:
- To recognise learners who have completed foundational AI courses
- To demonstrate leadership participation in AI learning
- To expand public awareness around AI readiness
During the event, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred AI course certificates on learners, including Members of Parliament and school students, reinforcing the message that AI learning must begin early and remain accessible to all.
Addressing learners and stakeholders, the President called upon citizens, educators, policymakers, professionals, and youth to actively participate in India’s AI learning movement by enrolling in SOAR courses through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). She described the challenge as a significant step towards building a technologically empowered and inclusive society.
SOAR: India’s National AI Awareness Program
SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness was launched in July 2025 by MSDE as part of the celebrations marking 10 years of the Skill India Mission. The program was conceptualised to democratise AI awareness and make Artificial Intelligence learning simple, ethical, and aspirational for every Indian.
Rather than positioning AI as an advanced or niche skill, SOAR introduces foundational AI literacy through structured micro-credential courses designed for:
- School students
- Teachers and educators
- Working professionals
- Lifelong learners
Within six months of its launch, more than 1.59 lakh learners across the country have enrolled in SOAR’s AI courses, with thousands successfully completing certifications and developing confidence in understanding AI concepts, applications, and responsible use.
Also read: Click here to read more about the key launches at Bharat SkillNXT on the occasion of 10 years of Skill India Mission!
How SOAR Works: AI Awareness for Students and Teachers
Designed in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, SOAR introduces Artificial Intelligence as a foundational digital capability, rather than a specialised or advanced subject. The program focuses on building early awareness, ethical understanding, and practical familiarity with AI across India’s education and skilling ecosystem.
SOAR AI for Students
For students, SOAR aims to:
- Build digital literacy and awareness of AI concepts
- Introduce ethical use and real-world AI applications
- Encourage curiosity and interest in future AI-enabled careers
This approach supports the development of problem-solving skills and critical thinking without requiring technical specialisation at the outset.
SOAR AI for Teachers and Educators
Equally important is SOAR’s emphasis on educator readiness. The program supports training for teachers across government and private schools to:
- Understand core AI concepts
- Adopt responsible and ethical AI practices
- Integrate technology meaningfully into classroom teaching
By equipping educators as facilitators of AI-aware learning, SOAR ensures that AI education extends beyond standalone courses into everyday learning environments.
Delivery and Access
SOAR courses are delivered through platforms such as the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), ensuring:
- Wide reach across regions and institutions
- Equitable access to AI learning resources
- Support for digital inclusion, including rural and underserved communities
Leadership by example: Ministers and MPs embrace AI learning
Demonstrating leadership-driven learning, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, successfully completed the SOAR ‘AI to be Aware’ learning module.
Reinforcing the spirit of the Skill the Nation Challenge, Shri Jayant Chaudhary nominated other leaders to take up the course, including Shri Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Prasar Bharati; and Shri Nitin Narang, President, All-India Chess Federation. This peer-led nomination is shaping SOAR into a nationwide movement for AI confidence and capability building.
Significantly, 15 Members of Parliament have completed the SOAR AI module, highlighting strong leadership commitment towards AI readiness within India’s highest democratic institution.
Youth participation and AI certificates at Rashtrapati Bhavan
During the SOAR program held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, President Smt. Droupadi Murmu conferred AI certificates on learners, including Members of Parliament and 17 select students from PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across several states.
The program also featured a special “AI for Beginners” interactive session led by a globally renowned AI expert in collaboration with Google. In addition, the President virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre at Rairangpur, strengthening access to skill-oriented education and employability support in northern Odisha.
The presence of school students alongside policymakers and public leaders underscored the program’s inclusive design, highlighting that AI readiness in India is being shaped as a continuum; beginning in schools and extending through higher education, professional life, and public leadership.
Building an AI-confident India
As Artificial Intelligence continues to reshape jobs, governance, and learning pathways, initiatives such as SOAR and the #SkillTheNation Challenge reflect India’s strategic focus on early awareness, ethical understanding, and inclusive access to emerging technologies. By anchoring AI literacy within the national skilling ecosystem, the initiative signals a shift towards preparing citizens not just for new tools, but for informed and responsible engagement with AI.
India’s approach stands out for its emphasis on awareness before advanced specialisation. Rather than limiting AI education to technologists or advanced learners, SOAR introduces foundational AI concepts across age groups and professional backgrounds, helping demystify the technology and reduce apprehension around its impact on work and society. This focus on confidence, curiosity, and ethical understanding ensures that AI learning begins early and remains accessible to all.
Summing up the intent of the initiative, Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary noted that India’s future workforce must not only be digitally aware but AI confident. By beginning with leadership and extending to students and citizens, the Skill the Nation Challenge positions AI literacy as a shared national responsibility—and a cornerstone of India’s long-term growth, innovation, and workforce resilience.
