**Executive Summary**
On January 1, 2026, the President of India launched the #SkilltheNation AI Challenge and virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha. This initiative falls under the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) program of MSDE and aims to prepare India's workforce for an AI-driven future. The President highlighted AI's potential to reshape economies, societies, and address humanity's challenges.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Overview:**
* The President of India launched the #SkilltheNation AI Challenge.
* Virtual inauguration of IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha.
* Event held on January 1, 2026, at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre.
* Organized by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
* **#SkilltheNation AI Challenge:**
* Falls under the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative of MSDE.
* Aims to prepare India's workforce for an AI-driven future.
* **President's Remarks:**
* AI is a tremendous opportunity for positive change in India.
* Technology should empower people, promote inclusion, and expand opportunities.
* AI should aim to bridge social, economic, and technological divides.
* India aims to become a knowledge superpower in line with the National Education Policy.
* Skills such as data science, AI engineering and data analytics will play a crucial role.
* Government is collaborating with institutions, industry and academia.
* **Call to Action:**
* Citizens should work together to build a developed, tech-driven, inclusive, and prosperous India.
* **Appreciation:**
* Members of Parliament were appreciated for completing AI learning modules.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Workforce**
* **Impact:** Greater opportunities for skill development in AI and related fields, preparing them for future job market demands.
* **Action Required:** Participate in skilling initiatives and adapt to AI-driven changes in the workplace.
**Stakeholder: Students and Educators**
* **Impact:** Enhanced access to AI learning resources and skill development opportunities.
* **Action Required:** Embrace emerging technologies and integrate AI knowledge into their curricula.
**Stakeholder: Government of India**
* **Impact:** Advances India's position as a global leader in AI and technology.
* **Action Required:** Continued investment in AI infrastructure and skilling programs.
**Stakeholder: Industry Partners and Academia**
* **Impact:** Collaborative efforts to shape a responsible AI future in India.
* **Action Required:** Partner with the government to ensure that India not only adopts technology but also shapes a responsible future through it.
Key Entities Referenced
#SkilltheNation AI Challenge: An AI challenge launched by the President of India as part of the SOAR initiative.
SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness): An initiative by the MSDE aimed at skilling for AI readiness.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE): The ministry organizing the event and associated with the SOAR initiative.
IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre: A regional center and skill center inaugurated in Rairangpur, Odisha.
Rairangpur, Odisha: Location of the inaugurated IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre.
President's Secretariat
PRESIDENT OF INDIA LAUNCHES
#SKILLTHENATION AI CHALLENGE AND
VIRTUALLY INAUGURATES IGNOU REGIONAL
CENTRE AND SKILL CENTRE AT RAIRANGPUR,
ODISHA
FOR A YOUNG NATION LIKE INDIA, AI IS NOT JUST A
TECHNOLOGY, BUT A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY FOR
POSITIVE CHANGE: PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU
प्रव तथ: 01 JAN 2026 2:28PM by PIB Delhi
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu launched the #SkilltheNation challenge under the SOAR
(Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative of MSDE, at a function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural
Centre today (January 1, 2026). She also virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill
Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha, on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, the President said that Artificial Intelligence is reshaping economies and
societies worldwide. It is transforming how we learn, how we work, how we access modern services, and
how we address humanity's greatest challenges. For a young nation like India, AI is not just a technology,
but a tremendous opportunity for positive change.The President said that India's approach has always been that technology should empower people,
promote inclusion, and expand opportunities for all. The use of AI should aim to bridge social, economic,
and technological divides. It is essential to ensure that its benefits reach people of all backgrounds and
ages, especially those from marginalized communities.
The President was happy to note that students are preparing themselves for a future full of possibilities and
opportunities. She urged them to remember that technology, their knowledge and skills should be used to
serve society, find solutions to challenges, and empower others. She appreciated the Members of
Parliament who have completed AI learning modules. She said that by learning about emerging
technologies themselves, they have set an example of leadership through learning.The President said that Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a growth driver for the Indian economy. In the
coming decade, AI will play a significant role in the country's GDP, employment, and overall productivity.
Skills such as data science, AI engineering, and data analytics will play a crucial role in developing the
country's AI talent pool. She stated that the government, in collaboration with various institutions, industry
partners, and academia, is ensuring that India not only adopts technology but also shapes a responsible
future through it. She urged all work together with commitment to build a developed India. She said that
we should contribute to making India a knowledge superpower in line with the National Education Policy
and to building a tech-driven, inclusive, and prosperous India.
This event, being organised by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, is part of the
continued commitment of the Government towards preparing India’s workforce for an AI-driven future.
Please click here to see the President's Speech-
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