Parliament Question: AI-based Training and Skill Development Initiatives

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3494 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 AI-BASED TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES 3494. MS. PRANITI SUSHILKUMAR SHINDE: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has initiated or proposed programmes for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based training and skilling across various sectors and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of schemes, partnerships, and platforms developed to impart AI-related skills, including collaboration with industry and educational institutions; (c) whether any assessment has been conducted on the demand for AI-related skills and the current gap in trained workforce in this domain and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government has taken/being taken steps to ensure inclusive access to AI- based training programmes, particularly for youth in rural and semi-urban areas, to enhance employability and participation in emerging technologies; and (e) if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), through National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Directorate General of Training (DGT) and under PMKVY 4.0, has initiated multiple programmes for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based training and skilling across sectors: 1. Under the NCVET-regulated ecosystem, 116 NSQF-aligned and NSQC-approved Qualifications, National Occupational Standards (NOSs) and Micro-Credentials relating to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are presently in place, covering domains such as Generative AI, Agentic AI, Large Language Models (LLMs), Prompt Engineering, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Robotics and Automation, AI Security, AI Ethics, AI Governance, and sector-specific AI applications. 2. Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0, training is imparted in AI and AI-enabled job roles across sectors such as IT-ITES, Telecom and Life Sciences, with job roles developed in consultation with industry and Sector Skill Councils. As of 30.06.2026 under PMKVY 4.0, 53,449 candidates been trained/oriented and 25,466 candidates certified in AI related job roles.3. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) has introduced AI into vocational training through the Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant (1-year) course, a 240-hour Generative AI course, and a 7.5-hour AI micro-credential for trainees in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). The compulsory Employability Skills curriculum has also been revised to include modules on AI and Green Skills. A list of 32 new-age courses introduced across ITIs/NSTIs, including AI- related trades, is at Annexure-I, with trade-wise enrolment for the period 2021-2025 at Annexure-II. (b) & (c) The schemes, partnerships and platforms developed to impart AI-related skills are as under. A specific assessment of demand for AI-related skills and the current workforce gap has not been done; the schemes below are, however, designed on a demand-driven and industry-aligned basis, as indicated against each: 1. Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR): Launched by NCVET to promote AI literacy, initially with four foundational courses - AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, AI to Aspire and AI for Educators - subsequently expanded to 50 AI and AI-application-oriented NSQF-aligned courses covering AI for jobs, workplace productivity, sector-specific applications and inclusivity. Courses are delivered through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) by NCVET-recognised Awarding Bodies. 2. PMKVY 4.0: Designed as a demand-driven, industry-aligned scheme, with training programmes and job roles identified in consultation with industry and Sector Skill Councils to address evolving workforce requirements in emerging technologies. AI-related training is delivered through a network of AICTE-affiliated colleges, private universities/colleges, engineering colleges, ITIs, NIELIT centres, PMKKs, Skill Universities, Institutes of National Importance, and State Government universities/colleges. 3. DGT: Industry partnerships: In collaboration with Microsoft and the Edunet Foundation, the Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant (AIPA) course under the Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) was implemented at 19 National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) in the 2024-25 session (intake capacity 504), and extended to 23 NSTIs in 2025-26 (intake capacity 600). Institute-wise details are at Annexure-III. (d) & (e) Steps taken to ensure inclusive access to AI-based training are as below: 1. SOAR has been designed for inclusive access through fully online, self-paced courses delivered on SIDH, enabling youth, educators and other learners - including those from rural and semi-urban areas - to acquire nationally recognized, NSQF-aligned and credit-linked AI competencies through a flexible digital learning mode. As on 22.07.2026, a total of 4,96,426 learners have enrolled and 98,576 learners have been certified under the SOAR courses available on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). 2. PMKVY 4.0 training has been extended to rural, semi-urban, aspirational and underserved districts, covering AI, Machine Learning, Data Analytics, IoT, Drones, Semiconductors, Electric Vehicles, Green Hydrogen, Renewable Energy, Robotics and 5G Technologies, delivered through a wide network of training institutions across States and Union Territories. As of 30.06.2026 under PMKVY 4.0, 53,449 candidates been trained/oriented and 25,466 candidates certified in AI related job roles. Details are kept at Annexure IV.ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3494 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING AI-BASED TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES List of 32 New-Age Courses (including AI-related trades) under Craftsmen Training Scheme S. No. Trade Name 1 5G Network Technician 2 Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Technician 3 Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter 4 Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant 5 Advance CNC Machining Technician 6 Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) Programmer 7 Cyber Security Assistant 8 Data Annotation Assistant 9 Drone Pilot (Junior) 10 Drone Technician 11 Engineering Design Technician (Artisan Using Advanced Tool) 12 Fiber to Home Technician 13 Geo Informatics Assistant 14 Green Hydrogen Production Technician 15 Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Technician 16 Industrial Robotics and Digital Manufacturing 17 Information Technology 18 Internet of Things Technician (Smart Agriculture) 19 Internet of Things Technician (Smart City) 20 Internet of Things Technician (Smart Healthcare) 21 Manufacturing Process Control & Automation 22 Mechanic Electric Vehicle 23 Multimedia, Animation & Special Effects 24 Semiconductor Technician 25 Small Hydro Power Plant TechnicianS. No. Trade Name 26 Smartphone Technician Cum App Tester 27 Software Testing Assistant 28 Solar Technician (Electrical) 29 Technician Mechatronics 30 Virtual Analysis and Designer - FEM (Basic Designer and Virtual Verifier) 31 Wind Plant Technician 32 Nuclear Power Plant TechnicianANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3494 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING AI-BASED TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES Trade-wise Enrolment in ITIs/NSTIs under CTS in New-Age Courses, 2021 to 2025 Trade Name 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Additive Manufacturing Technician Three D 15 86 159 135 243 Printing Advanced CNC Machining Technician 608 1,568 3,277 3,761 6,280 Aeronautical Structure and Equipment Fitter 0 39 80 84 80 Artificial Intelligence Programming Assistant 0 0 0 381 512 Artisan Using Advanced Tool 85 28 27 819 2,018 Basic Designer and Virtual Verifier (Mechanical) 105 78 572 1,055 2,547 Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) 0 0 0 192 249 Programmer Drone Pilot (Junior) 0 0 363 188 203 Drone Technician 0 0 275 270 326 Fibre to Home Technician 0 8 18 0 0 Geo Informatics Assistant 8 23 109 113 121 Industrial Robotics and Digital Manufacturing 650 956 3,624 4,548 7,481 Technician Information Technology 456 562 798 662 1,018 IoT Technician (Smart Agriculture) 99 97 140 198 246 IoT Technician (Smart City) 86 86 351 370 576 IoT Technician (Smart Healthcare) 115 127 220 284 305 Manufacturing Process Control and Automation 92 72 1,417 2,996 5,439 Mechanic Electric Vehicle 1,696 2,823 4,318 4,934 7,614 Multimedia Animation & Special Effects 326 370 466 349 387 Semiconductor Technician 0 0 0 0 31 Small Hydro Power Plant Technician 0 0 0 0 19 Smartphone Technician Cum App Tester 77 292 355 290 330 Software Testing Assistant 0 0 0 124 156 Solar Technician (Electrical) 333 1,054 2,280 2,734 5,750 Technician Mechatronics 267 342 317 404 407 Grand Total 5,018 8,611 19,166 24,891 42,338ANNEXURE-III ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (b) & (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3494 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING AI-BASED TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES List of NSTIs Offering AI Programming Assistant Course - Intake Capacity 2025-26 Institute Name (Trade: Artificial Intelligence Programming Intake Capacity 2025- Assistant) 26 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Allahabad 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Bangalore 48 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Hyderabad 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Indore 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Jaipur 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Kolkata 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Mumbai 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Noida 48 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Patna 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Trivandrum 24 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Vadodara 24 National Skill Training Institute, Bangalore 24 National Skill Training Institute, Bhubaneswar 24 National Skill Training Institute, Calicut 24 National Skill Training Institute, Chennai 24 National Skill Training Institute, Haldwani 24 National Skill Training Institute, Howrah 24 National Skill Training Institute, Jodhpur 24 National Skill Training Institute, Kanpur 24 National Skill Training Institute, Ludhiana 24 National Skill Training Institute, Mumbai 24 National Skill Training Institute - Ramanthapur, Hyderabad 24 National Skill Training Institute Extension Centre, Srinagar 24 Total 600ANNEXURE-IV ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (d) & (e) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3494 ANSWERED ON 10.08.2026 REGARDING AI-BASED TRAINING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES AI Job Roles Wise Skilling - PMKVY 4.0 Job Role Enrolled Trained/Oriented Assessed Certified A.I (Artificial Intelligence) - Technocrat 162 162 37 35 AI - Business Intelligence Analyst 3,215 2,731 1,761 1,494 AI - Data Architect 2,820 1,397 925 862 AI - Data Engineer 1,524 1,265 756 595 AI - Data Quality Analyst 15,469 7,266 5,536 4,936 AI - Data Scientist 4,683 3,951 2,887 2,634 AI Database Administrator 7,059 6,158 4,291 3,601 AI - DevOps Engineer 4,962 4,369 3,798 3,573 AI - Machine learning Developer 28 28 0 0 AI - Machine Learning Engineer 8,986 7,796 6,068 5,572 AI - Solution Architect 337 241 137 115 AI & ML - Jr. Telecom Data Analyst 345 254 196 180 AI Development Associate 60 59 57 52 AI Devices Installation Operator 165 165 87 85 AI Foundation 78 78 76 65 AI Machine Learning Analyst 62 8 0 0 Artificial Intelligence Assistant 662 445 85 81 Artificial Intelligence Associate 49 49 0 0 Foundation of Artificial Intelligence 1,267 1,226 332 301 Technology Pharmacovigilance Case- Processing (Incidents /adverse event using software 1,516 1,456 1,316 1,285 including AI tools) Total 53,449 39,104 28,345 25,466 *****