Parliament Question: AI training for youth

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3788 ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 AI TRAINING FOR YOUTH 3788. SHRI RAJEEV SHUKLA: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has undertaken any research regarding the need for AI related technology training for youth in the country, if so, the details thereof; (b) details of specific AI programmes launched along with total number of youth enrolled during the last five years in the country, year-wise/State-wise, particularly from Chhattisgarh; (c) details regarding the funds allocated and utilized for AI and programmes during the last five years, State- wise, especially in Chhattisgarh; and (d) details regarding the steps undertaken to ensure that training programmes are aligned with industry needs and provide employable skills for youth in the AI and tech sectors? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) Yes, studies have been conducted regarding the need for AI-related technology training for youth in the country. A study by the IT-ITeS Sector Skill Council under NASSCOM in 2023 and 2025 highlights this requirement. The 2023 report identified that skills such as AI, Big Data Analytics, and IoT have a demand–supply gap of over 50%, indicating a significant shortage of trained professionals. The 2025 report, explains that emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI are rapidly transforming job roles, skill requirements, and hiring trends in the IT and ITeS sector. It also emphasizes the need for continuous reskilling and upskilling of the workforce to keep pace with these changes. These studies are used to identify skill requirements and inform the design of training programmes aligned with emerging technology areas. (b) The Government has launched multiple programmes to provide AI-related training to youth since 2023. The details are as follows: I. Under PMKVY 4.0: Under PMKVY 4.0, a total of 51,051 candidates have been enrolled in AI job roles (such as AI-Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Engineer, Data Scientist, Machine Learning Engineer, DevOps Engineer, Solution Architect, and specialised Pharmacovigilance Case Processing using AI tools) as per data available on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) portal up to 31-Dec-2025. The details of State-wise enrolment in AI job roles under PMKVY 4.0 are at Annexure-I. Training under PMKVY 4.0 is demand-driven, and centres are set up by training partners based on demand and capacity, with the scheme supporting training and certification costs; therefore, availability of infrastructure may vary across States. The Government has promoted expansion of training infrastructure through initiatives such as Skill Hubs. There has been no enrolment in AI job roles in Chhattisgarh under PMKVY 4.0, which may stem from the State’s training demand following local industry demand, with industry partners tending to prioritize sectors where livelihoods are more immediate. II. Under Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR): Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) launched the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative under the Skill India Mission on 22nd July 2025. Under SOAR, foundational AI literacy courses - namelyAI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, AI to Aspire and AI for Educators - were introduced to build basic awareness, conceptual understanding, and responsible use of AI among students, educators and learners. The initiative has been expanded to include courses covering AI for jobs, workplace productivity and inclusivity, and sector-specific applications. Courses are delivered through the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) in a digital, self-paced learning model, aligned with the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF). The details of State/UT-wise enrolment under SOAR as on 19.03.2026 are at Annexure-II. Chhattisgarh has recorded 5,272 enrolments under SOAR. III. Under the Directorate General of Training (DGT) - NSTIs and ITIs: In collaboration with Microsoft India, the SkillSaksham program was conducted for training in AI and Digital Productivity in National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs) (240-hour in-depth program) and ITIs (60-hour in- breadth program). Approximately 17,500 students across 14 NSTIs and 70+ ITIs were trained between 2023-25. The Craftsmen Training Scheme (CTS) course on AI Programming Assistant was started in 19 NSTIs in 2024. A total of 327 students completed the 1,600-hour training and On-the-Job Training (OJT). For the academic session 2025-26, 410 students are undergoing training in 22 NSTIs across the country. The State-wise details of NSTIs offering AI Programming Assistant training are at Annexure-IV. In collaboration with IBM India, a 3-tier programme for students of ITIs and NSTIs and trainers has been initiated. The course framework includes AI, Machine Learning (ML), and other courses from the IBM SkillsBuild platform. A short-term programme (240 hours) on AI and digital productivity skills and a short-term programme (45 hours) for AI skilling in non-IT trades are being considered for implementation in ITIs and NSTIs. IV. Under Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): The SIDH platform hosts over 120 AI-related digital learning courses from industry partners such as UpGrad, Oracle, Microsoft, HCLTech, Intel, and NIELIT, with multilingual content ranging from foundational AI awareness (e.g., 'AI for All') to advanced courses (e.g., Generative AI, Machine Learning, Prompt Engineering). (c) The details of funds utilized for AI job roles under PMKVY 4.0 State-wise up to 31-Dec-2025 are given at Annexure-III. A total of ₹14,36,68,513.03 has been utilized across States under PMKVY 4.0 for AI job roles. (d) To align with industry needs and provide employable skills for youth in the AI and tech sectors, the Government has undertaken the following measures: • Development and revision of National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned qualifications based on inputs from industry stakeholders, Sector Skill Councils, and employer groups. Demand-driven NSQF-aligned courses have been introduced across multiple sectors including IT-ITeS, electronics, automotive, manufacturing, and construction to strengthen industry alignment. District-level inputs from District Skill Committees (DSCs) are used to enhance local relevance of emerging job roles. • Under PMKVY 4.0, implementation is being decentralised with a focus on District Skill Committees and Skill Hub Institutions to enhance last-mile outreach. • Sectoral skill gap studies and industry consultations are conducted by SSCs to guide curriculum updates. These findings are used to design new courses and training programmes aligned with emerging technology areas. • Introduction of future-skills job roles and promotion of industry-linked training models, including apprenticeships and on-the-job training. • Courses under SOAR are delivered through the SIDH, with integrated assessment and certification systems to provide formal recognition of skills. • Employment facilitation is supported through industry partnerships, on-the-job training, apprenticeships, Rozgar Melas and job fairs organised across States, along with digital services such as mobilisation, assessments, job matching and career counselling through SIDH. • The Government has been expanding these initiatives by integrating future-ready skill programmes in collaboration with academic institutions, industry partners, and Sector Skill Councils, leveraging digital platforms for wider access and monitoring.ANNEXURE-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (B) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3788 ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 PMKVY 4.0 - State-wise Enrolment in AI Job Roles as per SIDH Reports till 31-Dec-2025 State FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26 Andhra Pradesh 4,401 Arunachal Pradesh 30 Assam 260 Bihar 2,641 Gujarat 632 Haryana 1,325 Himachal Pradesh 170 Jammu And Kashmir 2,129 Karnataka 17,602 Kerala 544 Madhya Pradesh 1,540 Maharashtra 2,865 Odisha 936 Puducherry 61 Punjab 1,013 Rajasthan 1,316 Tamil Nadu 3,399 Telangana 6,021 Tripura 60 Uttar Pradesh 3,115 Uttarakhand 831 West Bengal 160 Total 51,051ANNEXURE-II ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (B) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3788 ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 State/UT-wise Enrolment under SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) as on 19.03.2026 State/UT Total Enrolled ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS 209 ANDHRA PRADESH 21,689 ARUNACHAL PRADESH 276 ASSAM 8,802 BIHAR 20,852 CHANDIGARH 291 CHHATTISGARH 5,272 GOA 341 GUJARAT 9,987 HARYANA 9,074 HIMACHAL PRADESH 2,920 JAMMU AND KASHMIR 6,851 JHARKHAND 5,977 KARNATAKA 14,358 KERALA 5,944 LADAKH 54 LAKSHADWEEP 10 MADHYA PRADESH 16,077 MAHARASHTRA 44,079 MANIPUR 1,380 MEGHALAYA 536 MIZORAM 85 NAGALAND 172 NEW DELHI 8,842 ODISHA 8,879 PONDICHERRY 397 PUNJAB 5,289 RAJASTHAN 14,389 SIKKIM 133 TAMIL NADU 13,909 TELANGANA 9,895 THE DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI AND DAMAN AND DIU 2,884 TRIPURA 1,720 UTTAR PRADESH 56,696 UTTARAKHAND 3,834 WEST BENGAL 15,143 Total 3,17,246ANNEXURE-III ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (C) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3788 ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 Funds Utilized under PMKVY 4.0 for AI Job Roles - State-wise during the FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26 (up to 31-Dec-2025) (Amount in ₹) State Fund Utilized ANDHRA PRADESH 98,96,261.85 Assam 19,81,741.20 BIHAR 1,44,21,398.46 GUJARAT 39,96,907.22 HARYANA 61,76,430.43 HIMACHAL PRADESH 9,42,094.40 JAMMU AND KASHMIR 1,40,45,434.96 KARNATAKA 72,25,086.36 KERALA 12,70,312.50 MADHYA PRADESH 72,00,508.61 MAHARASHTRA 45,03,461.78 ODISHA 19,13,566.19 PUNJAB 47,68,242.01 RAJASTHAN 81,95,216.76 TAMIL NADU 1,68,74,900.94 TELANGANA 1,02,42,505.01 TRIPURA 2,89,899.00 UTTAR PRADESH 1,99,38,102.55 UTTARAKHAND 97,86,442.80 Grand Total 14,36,68,513.03ANNEXURE-IV ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (B) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3788 ANSWERED ON 25.03.2026 NSTIs Offering AI Programming Assistant (CTS Course) - State-wise Enrolment (2024 & 2025) S. NSTI Name State 2024 2025 No. Enrolled Enrolled 1 NATIONAL SKILL TRAINING INSTITUTE(W), BIHAR 11 24 Patna 2 National Skill Training Institute (Women), GUJARAT 23 24 Vadodara 3 NSTI Srinagar Extension Centre JAMMU AND 0 22 KASHMIR 4 National Skill Training Institute (Women), KARNATAKA 17 12 Bangalore 5 National Skill Training Institute (NSTI)(Campus-I), KARNATAKA 13 22 Bengaluru 6 National Skill Training Institute (Women), KERALA 0 21 Trivandrum 7 National Skill Training Institute, KOZHIKODE KERALA 24 24 8 National Skill Training Institute(W), Indore MADHYA PRADESH 24 24 9 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Mumbai MAHARASHTRA 24 18 10 National Skill Training Institute, Mumbai MAHARASHTRA 19 24 11 National Skill Training Institute, Ludhiana PUNJAB 15 24 12 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Jaipur RAJASTHAN 19 24 13 National Skill Training Institute, Jodhpur RAJASTHAN 17 19 14 National Skill Training Institute, Chennai TAMIL NADU 20 20 15 National Skill Training Institute, Ramanthapur, TELANGANA 20 23 Hyderabad 16 National Skill Training Institute (Women), TELANGANA 22 21 Vidyanagar, Hyderabad 17 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Noida UTTAR PRADESH 39 47 18 National Skill Training Institute (W), Allahabad UTTAR PRADESH 21 24 19 National Skill Training Institute, Kanpur UTTAR PRADESH 16 24 20 National Skill Training Institute, Haldwani UTTARAKHAND 0 24 21 National Skill Training Institute (Women), Kolkata WEST BENGAL 19 24 22 NATIONAL SKILL TRAINING INSTITUTE WEST BENGAL 18 23 (NSTI), KOLKATA *****