**Executive Summary**
This document provides the response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2335, answered on December 15, 2025, concerning the impact of the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative and drone-related training schemes. It details the SOAR program's features, implementation status, training numbers, and the government's review process for assessing the impact of these initiatives on employability and future skills. It also includes information about the "Namo Drone Didi" scheme.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) Initiative:**
* SOAR is a structured skill development program designed to build personal, professional, and workplace readiness among learners.
* It focuses on strengthening competencies like communication, critical thinking, and digital literacy.
* Courses are developed and delivered in collaboration with industry partners like Microsoft, HCL Technologies, and NASSCOM.
* SOAR aims to build AI awareness, foundational readiness, and educator capability.
* **SOAR Training Statistics (as of December 7, 2025):**
* The document includes a table detailing the number of students and teachers enrolled and certified under various SOAR courses, categorized by the content provider (Microsoft, HCL Technologies, NASSCOM) and course name.
* **"Namo Drone Didi" Scheme and Drone Training Programs:**
* The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare implements the "Namo Drone Didi" scheme to promote advanced technology in agriculture and empower SHGs as drone service providers.
* The Ministry also conducts training in drone-related job roles under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0).
* The document includes a table outlining the number of candidates trained/oriented in drone-related job roles (Drone Manufacturing and Assembly Technician, Drone Operator - Multi Rotor, Drone Service Technician, Kisan Drone Operator), broken down by gender.
* **Government Review and Impact Assessment:**
* The government undertakes periodic reviews of AI and drone-related skilling initiatives under the Skill India Mission.
* Reviews assess enrolment, certification, placement, self-employment outcomes, and employer feedback.
* These reviews support continuous curriculum updates and improvements in implementation modalities.
* The Impact Evaluation of PMKVY 2.0 reported a measurable rise in employment for Short-Term Training candidates and higher monthly incomes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Teachers Enrolled in SOAR**
* **Impact:** Acquisition of foundational and applied AI skills, enhanced employability in technology-driven environments, and career progression opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Continue engaging in learning modules and practical exercises to develop necessary skills and capabilities.
**Participants in Drone-Related Training**
* **Impact:** Increased opportunities for employment and livelihood through drone operation and related services in the agriculture sector.
* **Action Required:** Apply learned skills and knowledge to operate and maintain drones effectively, contributing to improved agricultural practices.
**Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and implementing agencies**
* **Impact:** Improved agricultural efficiency, enhanced crop yield, reduced operational costs, and empowerment of SHGs as drone service providers through drone related training schemes.
* **Action Required:** Ongoing refinement in the design and delivery of skill development programmes, based on feedback and impact evaluations.
Key Entities Referenced
Skilling for Al Readiness (SOAR): A structured skill development initiative designed to build personal, professional and workplace readiness among learners, in collaboration with industry partners. Key subject of the document.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: The primary ministry responsible for the SOAR initiative.
Namo Drone Didi: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to promote technology in agriculture.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0): A scheme used to provide training in drone-related job roles. A component of the Skill India Mission.
NASSCOM: An industry partner involved in delivering the SOAR initiative.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2335
ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025
IMPACT OF SOAR INITIATIVE
2335. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:
Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of the features and implementation status of the Skilling for AI Readiness
(SOAR) initiative;
(b) the total number of students and teachers trained under the said scheme so far;
(c) the progress made under the Drone Didi scheme, including the number of women trained
in drone operations; and
(d) whether the Government has reviewed the impact of the said schemes on employability
and future skills and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF SKILL
DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)
(a) The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme is a structured skill development
initiative designed to build personal, professional and workplace readiness among learners. It
strengthens essential competencies such as communication, critical thinking, digital literacy and
behavioural skills through curated modules, guided learning and practical engagement. The
programme equips participants with the confidence and capabilities needed to perform
effectively in technology-driven work environments and supports their progression across
diverse career pathways. Under the SOAR initiative, multiple courses have been launched in
collaboration with leading industry partners such as Microsoft, HCL Technologies and
NASSCOM to build AI awareness, foundational readiness and educator capability.
(b) Under the SOAR initiative, AI-readiness courses are being delivered in partnership with
Microsoft, HCL Technologies and NASSCOM to equip students and educators with foundational
and applied AI skills.
The total number of students and teachers trained under the said scheme so far;
SOAR Coursewise details as on 7th Dec 2025
Content Provider Course Name Enrolled Certified
SOAR - AI to Acquire 6,359 780
SOAR - AI for Educators 9,926 930
Microsoft
SOAR - AI to Aspire 8,084 1310
SOAR - AI to be Aware 28,154 3,567
SOAR - AI to Aspire 17,472 997
SOAR - AI to Acquire 8,544 531
HCL Technologies Ltd
SOAR - AI for Educator 7,544 571
SOAR - AI to be Aware 31,564 2,778SOAR - AI to Acquire 3,207 147
SOAR - AI to be Aware 8,196 441
NASSCOM
SOAR - AI to Aspire 3,195 98
SOAR – AI for Educator 2,241 101
(c) The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare implements ‘Namo Drone Didi’ scheme
with an objective to promote advance technology in agriculture for improved efficiency,
enhanced crop yield & reduced cost of operation and to empower SHGs as drone service
providers for increasing their income and providing livelihood support to them.
Further, this Ministry also conduct training in drone-related job roles under Pradhan Mantri
Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY4.0). The progress made in the drone-related job roles under
PMKVY 4.0, including the number of women trained in drone operations, is as follows:
No. of candidates Trained/oriented
Job Role Name
Total
Female Male
Drone Manufacturing and Assembly Technician 2,576 5,532 8,108
Drone Operator - Multi Rotor 18 169 187
Drone Service Technician 7,229 7,337 14,566
Kisan Drone Operator 1,185 1,724 2,909
(d) The Government undertakes periodic reviews of AI and drone-related skilling initiatives
under the Skill India Mission, assessing enrolment, certification, placement, self-employment
outcomes and employer feedback to gauge their effectiveness in strengthening employability
and future skills. These reviews support continuous curriculum updates, industry collaboration
and improvements in implementation modalities, ensuring that SOAR and drone-related
programmes remain aligned with evolving technology trends and labour-market requirements.
The effectiveness of broader skill development schemes is also evaluated through MIS-based
monitoring, third-party assessments and beneficiary feedback. The Impact Evaluation of
PMKVY 2.0 reported a measurable rise in employment for Short-Term Training candidates—
including a nine-percentage-point increase—higher monthly incomes and strong satisfaction
with training quality. Under Recognition of Prior Learning, 78% of beneficiaries continued
working in their certified trade and reported an average 25% increase in income. These findings
guide ongoing refinements in the design and delivery of skill development programmes.
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