**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched several initiatives to provide certifications and training in emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Biotechnology. These programs, delivered through schemes like PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, and CTS, aim to equip India’s youth with industry-relevant skills through strategic partnerships with global tech leaders and updated curricula. The report includes funding data released up to December 2025 and emphasizes the integration of vocational training into the national education framework.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Major Skill Development Schemes**
* **PMKVY 4.0:** Introduction of "Future Skills" job roles in AI, Robotics, and Biotechnology across schools and higher education institutions to enhance employer acceptability.
* **Apprenticeship Training:** AI and Robotics are now included within 266 designated and over 750 optional trades.
* **Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS):** The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has introduced 31 new-age courses in ITIs and NSTIs covering areas like Cybersecurity, IoT, and Semiconductors.
**Specialized AI and Digital Initiatives**
* **AI Programming Assistant (AIPA):** A specific course launched to impart AI-based skill training through ITIs and NSTIs.
* **AI Micro-credential:** A 7.5-hour "Introduction to AI" course developed in collaboration with industry experts for all CTS trainees.
* **Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH):** A unified platform offering AI/ML courses ranging from foundational modules to advanced modules like Generative AI.
* **SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness):** A national initiative to build AI literacy among school students (Classes 6–12) and educators.
**Industry Partnerships and Research**
* **Strategic MoUs:** Collaboration with tech giants including IBM, CISCO, AWS, and Microsoft to facilitate training in Big Data Analytics, Blockchain, and Cloud Computing.
* **International Collaborations:** National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) partnerships with organizations like Intel, Redhat, and Pearson VUE for digital course delivery.
* **Biotechnology Focus:** Implementation of the ‘BioCARe’ scheme to enhance the participation of young scientists in biotechnology research.
**Funding and Policy Integration**
* **Financial Allocation:** Total funds released up to December 2025 include ₹2,560.52 crore for PMKVY, ₹560.39 crore for JSS, and ₹1,904.33 crore for NAPS.
* **National Credit Framework (NCrF):** Developed to integrate academic and vocational learning, allowing for credit accumulation and transfer across various educational levels.
* **Samagra Shiksha:** Vocational courses are offered as additional subjects in Classes IX-X and as compulsory electives in Classes XI-XII.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Youth**
**Impact**
Youth gain access to industry-relevant certifications and advanced technology training. Under the NAPS, apprentices receive direct financial support via a stipend of up to ₹1,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
**Action Required**
Students should enroll in "Future Skills" courses via the Skill India Digital Hub or local ITIs/NSTIs and select vocational electives as part of their school curriculum.
**Educational Institutions (ITIs, NSTIs, and Schools)**
**Impact**
Institutions are now centers for high-tech digital training, requiring them to adopt new-age courses and integrate vocational modules into mainstream education.
**Action Required**
ITIs and schools must implement the 31 new-age courses, facilitate the SOAR program for AI literacy, and align their grading with the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
**Implementing Agencies and NGOs**
**Impact**
These organizations receive direct funding from the MSDE to cover training costs according to prescribed norms (specifically for PMKVY and JSS).
**Action Required**
Agencies must ensure training delivery meets current market needs through industry partnerships and maintain compliance with MSDE financial and administrative norms.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): The central government ministry responsible for coordinating all skill development efforts across India, including the implementation of the Skill India Mission.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): A flagship skill development scheme that provides training in 'Future Skills' such as AI and Robotics through schools and higher-education institutions.
Directorate General of Training (DGT): The technical wing of MSDE that introduces new-age courses in ITIs and NSTIs and enters into partnerships with tech companies for digital skill training.
Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): A unified digital platform that provides youth with access to industry-relevant courses, job opportunities, and advanced AI and Machine Learning training modules.
National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): A major scheme that facilitates apprenticeship training in designated and optional trades, providing financial stipend support to participants in emerging tech fields.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
CERTIFICATIONS UNDER ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE, ROBOTICS AND
BIOTECHNOLOGIES
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 3:31PM by PIB Delhi
Under the Government of India’s Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill training through an extensive network of
skill development centres / institutes etc. under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas
Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) and
Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the
society across the country. The SIM aims at enabling youth of India to get future ready and equipped with
industry relevant skills.
To promote new age emerging skills, including artificial intelligence/machine learning, robotics,
biotechnologies, etc. MSDE has undertaken the following initiatives:
(i) Under PMKVY 4.0, the dedicated job roles under the "Future Skills" category have been
introduced with an aim of preparing youth for opportunities in new and emerging technologies.
Government has rolled out skill enhancement initiatives in emerging fields such as Artificial
Intelligence, Robotics, and Biotechnologies across schools and higher-education institutions
nationwide. This enhances acceptability among employers. Additionally, industry partnerships at
the implementation level help shape curriculum, support placements, and ensure the relevance of
skills imparted to current market needs.
(ii) Apprenticeship training is imparted under 266 designated trades and over 750 Optional
trades, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics.
(iii) Directorate General of Training (DGT) under the aegis of MSDE has introduced 31 new-
age/future skills courses under CTS in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill
Training Institutes (NSTIs) to provide digital training in emerging areas such as Artificial
Intelligence, Mechatronics, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Semiconductor, etc.
(iv) With a view to adopt the best practices in the digital skill training, DGT has signed
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with leading IT tech companies like IBM, CISCO, Amazon
Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft. These partnerships facilitate the provision of technical and
professional skills training in modern technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data
Analytics (BDA), Blockchain, Cloud Computing, etc.
(v) Directorate General of Training (DGT) under MSDE has introduced one course ‘Artificial
Intelligence Programming Assistant (AIPA)’ to impart AI-based skill training through Industrial
Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs). Also, a micro-credentialcourse “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI)” of 7.5-hour has been developed for all CTS
trainees in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), in collaboration with industry and academic
experts.
(vi) MSDE has launched the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), a unified digital platform aimed at
enhancing skill development in youths across the country by providing access to industry-relevant
courses, job opportunities, and entrepreneurship support. It offers a diverse selection of AI and
Machine Learning (ML) courses—ranging from introductory programs like Fundamentals of Azure
AI Speech and Machine Learning to advanced modules such as Google Cloud Generative AI and
AI Strategy to Create Business Value in Healthcare—designed to support learners at all proficiency
levels and prepare them to thrive in the fast-changing technology landscape.
(vii) National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) under the aegis of MSDE has partnered
with a number of international organizations such as AWS, Microsoft, Intel, Redhat, Pearson VUE,
Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Cisco Networking Academy for providing digital courses.
(viii) MSDE launched a national-level initiative, SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), aimed at
embedding AI awareness and foundational skills among school students (Classes 6–12) and
building AI literacy among educators. The programme seeks to bridge the digital divide by
ensuring equitable access to AI education across geographies, thereby supporting the national
agenda of inclusive, future-ready
skilling.
(ix) Department of Biotechnology implements the ‘Biotechnology Career Advancement and Re-
orientation (BioCARe)’ scheme with an aim of enhancing the participation of young scientists in
Biotechnology and allied research areas in India.
Funds are not released directly to the districts under any schemes of MSDE. Funds under PMKVY are
released to implementing agencies for meeting the training cost as per prescribed norms. Under JSS
scheme, funds are released to Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) directly. Under NAPS, stipend
support up to Rs 1500/- per month is released to apprentices through DBT and not to establishments
covered. Day to day administration as well as financial control in respect of ITIs lies with the respective
State Government/ UT Administration. The details of the funds released for implementation of schemes of
MSDE during the last three years and current year (upto December 2025) are as follows:
Amount in Rs. (Crores)
Name of the Scheme Funds released
PMKVY 2560.52
JSS 560.39
NAPS 1904.33
National Education Policy 2020 lays emphasis on the integration of vocational education programs with
mainstream education in all educational institutions in a phased manner. The National Credit Framework
(NCrF) has been developed as a comprehensive credit accumulation & transfer framework encompassingelementary, school, higher, and vocational education & training. NCrF integrates creditization of learning
in various dimensions, i.e. academics, vocational skills and experiential learning, including relevant
experience and proficiency/ professional levels acquired.
Under the Vocational Education component of ‘Samagra Shiksha’, NSQF-aligned vocational courses are
offered to the students from class 9th to 12th in the schools covered under the scheme. At the Secondary
level (Class IX and X), vocational modules are offered to the students as an additional subject. At Sr.
Secondary level (Class XI and XII), vocational courses are offered as a compulsory (elective) subject.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
***
SH
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