**Executive Summary**
This report details the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s (MSDE) initiatives to equip Indian youth with skills in AI, digital, and emerging technologies under the Skill India Mission. It highlights the implementation of the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence (NPAI) Skilling Framework and reports that over 5.10 lakh candidates were trained in futuristic job roles by December 31, 2025. Key actions involve expanding these programs through the Skill India Digital Hub and collaborations with industry partners like IBM and Microsoft.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory and Strategic Framework**
* The National Council for Vocational Education & Training (NCVET) developed the NPAI Skilling Framework to provide a roadmap and standardized curricula for AI and data science.
* The Skill India Mission (SIM) delivers training across multiple schemes, including PMKVY, JSS, NAPS, and CTS, to ensure the workforce is future-ready.
**Scheme-Specific Achievements**
* **PMKVY 4.0:** Focuses on 162 futuristic roles such as AI/ML, Drone Pilot Technician, and Solar PV Designer; Rs. 261.10 lakh has been allocated for digital skills training.
* **Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS):** Introduced four digital courses in FY 2025-26, training 37,499 candidates in roles like Cyber Security Assistant and Data Analysis Assistant.
* **National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS):** Engaged 1,991 apprentices in AI and 344,003 in IT/ITeS trades between FY 2022-23 and FY 2025-26.
* **Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS):** Enrolled 106,677 candidates in 31 new-age courses through ITIs and NSTIs, including a mandatory 7.5-hour AI module in Employability Skills.
**Digital Infrastructure and Collaboration**
* **Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH):** Launched in September 2023 as a single digital platform to integrate training, assessment, and certification.
* **Industry Partnerships:** The Directorate General of Training (DGT) collaborates with entities such as IBM, Microsoft, Cisco, and AWS to provide technical training under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
* **FutureSkills Prime:** A joint platform by MeitY and Nasscom offering courses in RPA, AI, and cybersecurity.
**Educational Outreach**
* **SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness):** A national initiative targeting school students (Classes 6–12) and educators to build AI literacy and bridge the digital divide.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Youth and Students**
**Impact**
Students gain access to practical, industry-aligned training in high-growth sectors, enhancing their employability in a technology-driven global job market.
**Action Required**
Enroll in new-age courses at ITIs, NSTIs, or via the Skill India Digital Hub to acquire certifications in emerging technologies.
**Educators**
**Impact**
Teachers and trainers are supported through initiatives like SOAR to improve their AI literacy, enabling them to deliver modern curricula effectively.
**Action Required**
Participate in foundational AI awareness and literacy programs to support the national agenda of inclusive skilling.
**Industry Partners**
**Impact**
Tech companies and Sector Skill Councils can influence training standards and contribute to workforce development through CSR and technical collaborations.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with MSDE and DGT to facilitate professional skill training and provide resources for modern technology modules.
Key Entities Referenced
Skill India Mission (SIM): The overarching national mission led by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to equip Indian youth with future-ready, industry-relevant skills.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): A flagship skill development scheme providing training in futuristic job roles such as AI/ML, robotics, and data analytics, specifically under its 4.0 iteration.
National Programme on Artificial Intelligence (NPAI) Skilling Framework: A foundational policy document developed by NCVET that outlines the national roadmap and guidelines for standardized AI and data science curricula.
Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH): A digital public infrastructure platform launched to integrate training, assessment, and certification services for various skill development initiatives.
SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness): A national-level initiative aimed at embedding AI awareness and literacy among school students (Classes 6–12) and educators.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
SKILL DEVELOPMENT IN AI, DIGITAL AND
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 3:30PM by PIB Delhi
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.
PMKVY 4.0, courses enabling global digital job participation include Artificial Intelligence/Machine
Learning (AI/ML) Foundation & Advanced, Robotic Process Automation, Drone Pilot Technician,
Industrial IoT, Data Analytics. The programme also focuses on future-ready job roles such as Electric
Vehicle Service Technician, IoT Assistant, AR/VR Technical Artist, Drone Operator, AI & ML Engineer,
and Solar PV Designer, reflecting the focus on emerging technologies and advanced skills.
Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) was launched by MSDE in September, 2023 as a Digital Public
Infrastructure to integrate training, assessment, certification and other skill development related services
on a single digital platform. As per reports generated by SIDH till 31-Dec-2025, under PMKVY 4.0 over
5.10 lakh candidates have been trained in 162 futuristic job roles and Rs.261.10 lakh has been allocated
for digital skills training across the country. These programs aim to equip candidates with practical,
industry-aligned skills in high-growth areas, ensuring employability in technology-driven fields. They
support India’s transition to a skilled, future-ready workforce. Government is further expanding these
initiatives by integrating future-ready skill programmes in collaboration with academic institutions,
industry partners, and Sector Skill Councils, while leveraging digital platforms for wider access and
monitoring. This approach equips students with practical skills in emerging technologies and
progressively expands their reach across schools, colleges, technical institutes and other learning
ecosystems nationwide.Under the JSS Scheme, 4 courses related to digital skills were introduced in FY 2025-26, namely,
Assistant Computer Operator, Course on computer concepts, Cyber Security Assistant and Data Analysis
Assistant. A total number of 37,499 candidates have been trained/oriented in Digital Skills courses during
FY 2025-26 (till 31.12.2025).
Under NAPS, Apprenticeship training is broadly classified as Designated trades and Optional Trades.
Apprenticeship training is imparted under 266 Designated trade and over 750 Optional trades. The job
roles includes those of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and IT/ITeS (Digital). Under AI related trades, a total of
1,991 apprentices have been engaged and 3,44,003 apprentices in IT/ITeS (Digital) related trade across the
country under NAPS-2 from FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26 (till 31.12.2025).
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). A total number of
1,06,677 candidates have been enrolled in Digital Skills courses during 2021-22 to 2025-26.
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.
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.
Further, 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.
This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development
and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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