Parliament Question: High-end skill availability in the country

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1406 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026 HIGH-END SKILL AVAILABILITY IN THE COUNTRY 1406. SHRI SANJAY SETH: Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state: (a) how the Skill India Mission has expanded training in AI, robotics and drone technologies, the details thereof; (b) whether Government partnerships with industry have strengthened futuristic skill training, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) to what extent Centres of Excellence have improved high-end skill availability in the country, the details thereof; and (d) how new courses are enabling youth to participate in global digital job markets, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY) (a) to (d) : 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 under various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Sikhshan 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 the youth of India to get future-ready, equipped with industry-relevant skills. Further, National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET) has developed the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence (NPAI) Skilling Framework, which outlines the national roadmap, structure and guidelines for skilling in AI, data science and emerging technologies serves as the foundational document for developing standardised, industry-aligned courses and curricula. The initiatives such as PMKVY 3.0 and 4.0 have introduced specialised short- term and advanced modules focused on AI, Robotics, drone and new-age technologies. With the aim to meet industry demand, drive digital transformation, and build workforce readiness for Industry 4.0 and the futuristic skills. Under CTS, training in 31 new-age courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Robotics, AI, and Drone, etc., for skilling and upskilling of youth of the country is conducted through a network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs). 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.DGT has collaborated with entities including IBM India, Microsoft, Cisco, Adobe India, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Future Right Skills Network (FRSN), Edunet Foundation, Auto Desk etc, for skilling initiatives under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). These partnerships facilitate the provision of technical and professional skill training in modern technologies. A module on ‘Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Duration: 7.5 Hours’ has been introduced in the subject of Employability Skills under the trades of CTS. Also, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), along with Nasscom has launched the FutureSkills Prime (FSP) platform for equipping learners with knowledge of emerging technologies by offering courses and other offerings on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics Process Automation (RPA), cybersecurity, and other digital skills. Centres of Excellence (CoEs) under the PMKVY framework have transformed high-skill job ecosystems by creating industry-ready talent pools. These centres deliver PMKVY-aligned certification courses with mandatory internships and live projects, ensuring alignment with employability. CoEs facilitate curriculum co-creation with industry, ensuring 100% job role alignment. PMKVY 4.0 courses enabling global digital job participation include AI/ML Foundation & Advanced, Robotic Process Automation, Drone Pilot Technician, Industrial IoT and Data Analytics. Through FutureSkills job roles under the PMKVY framework, Skill India Digital Hub provides global job matching; Rojgar Melas and placements ensure employment linkages. NSQF Level 5-7 certifications ensure global portability of PMKVY qualifications. *****