SOAR programme: Transforming Education and Skill Development in India

RK News
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25 Nov 2025

In a world where rapid transformations are occurring due to the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, which has impacted global industries including healthcare, finance, education, manufacturing, and public services. This advancement has created a need for AI literacy in the existing education system. Recognizing this, the Government of India recently initiated the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme, a landmark initiative to be implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). This program aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) skills into India’s education and skilling ecosystem, equipping students and teachers to adapt to a future shaped by AI. Launched in July 2025, SOAR coincided with the 10-year milestone of the Skill India Mission, which has empowered millions people through various schemes. Through these schemes, the government has been able to bridge the gap between traditional education and emerging technology needs. Expanding the ambit of Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 into new and emerging domains such as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to build this legacy. Authorities aim to equip students from Classes VI to XII and educators across the country with the knowledge and skills necessary for a rapidly evolving global job market. This initiative proposes three 15-hour modules for students and one 45-hour module for educators. SOAR aims to introduce fundamental AI concepts such as machine learning (ML) basics, ethical AI use, and practical applications. AI & process for transformation The SOAR programme intends to generateinterest and drive by teaching AI basics in schools. For teachers, SOAR gives special training to add AI lessons to current classes. The government aims to boost country’s capacity for innovation and self-reliance by enabling careers and entrepreneurship in high-demand fields such as data analytics, software engineering, and digital product development through the SOAR. Considering India focuses on a future global hub for AI-driven innovation and talent, the ambition thus resonates with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. AI is transforming India's education landscape in line with the NEP 2020 recommendations, which emphasize integration of new topics like AI into school curricula.The CBSE has begun to teach AI in its schools. Introduced in Class IX starting from the 2019-2020 academic session and extended to Class XI from the 2020-2021 session, it focuses on practical applications like skill development and personalised learning tools. Also, the Union Budget 2025–26 set aside INR 500 crore to build an AI Center of Excellence for education. The intention behind this to allow AI adoption in education, promote critical thinking in classrooms, support research and innovation.There is high need to move from traditional teaching methods to technology-driven approaches such as "from chalkboards to chipsets”. Supporting this goal, AICTE-approved institutions have been instructed to offer AI as an elective in various educational courses. Similarly, IITs now teach advanced AI topics like Deep Learning, Machine Learning, and Predictive Data Analytics. These efforts are step towards future-ready education system & a technology-driven workforce. Undoubtedly, India is ramping up its push to build a tech-savvy workforce. The government plans to make sure young Indians are ready for future jobs with targeted initiatives under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs), and the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) platform. Integration of AI and Digital Learning in Skill India Mission (SIM) PMKVY 4.0, which started in 2015, now focuses on skills for the future, like AI. It offers short-term training, helps people improve their skills, and recognizes what they already know. By October 2025, about 39,768 people had learned AI-related job skills which included Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, Business Intelligence Analysts, and DevOps Engineers. This growing focus on AI training shows Indian Government's commitment towards the goal of becoming a world center for new ideas and digital talent. From FY 2022-23 to June 2025, 1,480 apprentices learned AI jobs across India. These jobs included AI Data Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer, and Python AI Trainee. Around 60 private companies offered AI apprenticeships by March 2025 under NAPS programme. NAPS-2, in its second stage, supports AI apprenticeships. It pays up to 25% of the stipend (max INR 1,500) to apprentices. The amount is delivered through Direct Benefit Transfer. The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) keeps making big steps to improve workforce skills across India. Over 44.43 lakh apprentices have joined, 22.50 lakh have finished training, and 6.54 lakh have been awarded certifications so far. The program has paid out INR 775.94 crore in direct benefit transfers and teamed up with more than 1.93 lakh registered establishments, out of which 53,795 are currently active. Working alongside NAPS, the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) is a key online platform under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). SIDH is changing digital learning in a big way. With 15.3 million registrations, over 98 million minutes of online learning content, and 9.18 million minutes of digital catalogs, SIDH offers courses in AI/ML and digital technologies at various expertise levels, along with job and entrepreneurship opportunities to empower Indian youth. The platform is accessible in 23 different languages. It mixes self-paced, NSQF, and academy courses to create paths to jobs and starting businesses. SOAR also aims to ensure that India's move towards AI includes everyone and is easy to access. By extending AI education to both urban and rural schools through the Skill India Digital Hub, the programme bridges the digital divide and provides equal opportunities for students from all backgrounds. Focusing on a new program such as SOAR to prepare an AI-ready generation, the Indian Government has laid strong foundations for skilling students and strengthening its workforce. Supporting initiatives the Skill India Mission and the ViksitBharat@2047 vision, SOAR intends to equip the youth with essential digital skills to enhance employability and productivity in AI-driven sectors and help realize India's vision of a developed nation by 2047 through “AI for All initiatives”. To ensure fair learning access, SOAR prioritizes digital inclusion. It uses tools like the Skill India Digital Hub to bring AI training to rural and underprivileged communities. This effort helps reduce the digital gap between urban and rural areas and opens up equal chances for everyone. The SOAR program is a big step in making India a world leader in AI education and workforce training. SOAR puts AI learning into school lessons and job training. This gives students and teachers cutting-edge skills and creates a culture of new ideas and ethical tech use. SOAR works with partners and uses platforms like the Skill India Digital Hub. This helps people from all backgrounds to access the program. It gives India's young people the power to push tech and economic growth. SOAR is a key part of the Viksit Bharat@2047 plan. It builds the base for an India that includes everyone in the digital world, can compete, and stand on its own. This sets up India to shape the future of world innovation. (Courtesy: PIB Srinagar)