India is taking a major step toward building an AI-ready generation through the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme, launched by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) in July 2025. The initiative, which coincides with the ten-year milestone of the Skill India Mission, aims to integrate artificial intelligence learning into India’s school education and training ecosystem, preparing both students and teachers for a rapidly evolving digital world.
SOAR focuses on school students from classes six to twelve and educators across India, offering three targeted 15-hour modules for students and a 45-hour module for teachers. These courses introduce foundational AI and machine learning concepts, along with data literacy and the ethical use of technology. By familiarising learners with AI from an early age, the programme seeks to nurture curiosity, promote responsible innovation, and equip the next generation with the skills needed for the future workplace.
The initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of building a self-reliant, technology-driven economy under Atmanirbhar Bharat. As AI continues to reshape industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and education, the demand for skilled professionals in these fields has grown exponentially. SOAR responds to this challenge by ensuring that students are not just digitally literate but also capable of contributing to emerging sectors driven by AI.
In support of this vision, the Union Budget 2025–26 has earmarked ₹500 crore to establish a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education. The centre will focus on developing AI-based learning tools, promoting multilingual AI resources for Indian languages, and fostering innovative classroom practices that move from “chalkboards to chipsets.” It will also strengthen AI curriculum development across technical institutions and complement existing efforts by IITs and AICTE-approved colleges that already offer advanced courses in machine learning, deep learning, and data analytics.
Artificial intelligence is also reshaping India’s broader education landscape in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises the inclusion of contemporary subjects such as AI in school curricula. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) introduced AI as a subject for Class IX students in the 2019–20 academic session and extended it to Class XI from 2020–21, focusing on skill-based learning and real-world applications.
The Skill India Mission, through initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS-2), and the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), is integrating AI and digital learning into vocational and professional training programmes. Between 2022–23 and 2025–26, 1,480 apprentices have already been trained in AI-related roles such as AI Data Engineer and Machine Learning Engineer under NAPS-2.
The SOAR programme is expected to advance India’s long-term vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 by contributing to a skilled, future-ready population. It not only builds AI awareness among students but also empowers educators to integrate digital learning tools into classrooms effectively. By making AI education accessible through platforms like the Skill India Digital Hub, SOAR helps bridge the digital divide between urban and rural regions and ensures equitable access to emerging technologies.