**Executive Summary**
The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) programme is a national initiative to build foundational AI awareness and readiness among learners, educators, and citizens. Delivered digitally and self-paced via the Skill India Digital Hub, Phase I included four courses, while Phase II expanded to 50 NSQF-aligned AI and AI-application courses. The programme aims to transition from foundational literacy to a comprehensive, sector-integrated micro-credential ecosystem by March 2026, supporting AI for jobs and inclusive growth.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Programme Overview**
* **Objective:** To build foundational awareness and readiness in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for learners, educators, and citizens.
* **Delivery Model:** Online, self-paced courses hosted on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH) for nationwide accessibility.
* **Implementation:** Through NCVET-recognised Awarding Bodies, with no requirement for physical vocational training centres.
**Phased Expansion**
* **Phase I:** Included four courses (AI to be Aware, AI to Aspire, AI to Acquire, AI for Educators), with three structured as NSQF-aligned micro-credentials.
* **Phase II:** Significant expansion to 50 NSQF-aligned AI and AI-application courses across multiple sectors.
* 35 of these courses are designed as micro-credentials with defined credit values, notional hours, and progression pathways.
**Framework and Partnerships**
* **Alignment:** Developed in alignment with the National Credit Framework (NCrF).
* **Industry Collaboration:** Key partnerships with CII, NASSCOM, Microsoft, Max Healthcare, and various Sector Skill Councils have been instrumental in curriculum development.
**Course Offerings and Levels**
* Examples of credit-enabled micro-learning modules include "Foundational Course – Applied Machine Learning and AI (HP)", "Introduction to Vibe Coding", and "AI for Women".
* These modules are aligned to NSQF levels 2 to 5.5.
**Programme Goals and Inclusivity**
* **Transition:** Marks a shift from foundational AI literacy to a comprehensive, sector-integrated, NSQF-aligned micro-credential ecosystem.
* **Accessibility:** Designed to promote inclusive digital learning and AI awareness in urban and rural areas, including underserved and remote regions.
* **Inclusivity Focus:** Includes courses for the unorganised sector, women, and persons with disability to bridge the digital divide.
* **Future Roadmap:** Progressive expansion to application-oriented and advanced learning pathways, including sector-specific AI courses aligned with job requirements and emerging industry needs.
**Integration with Formal Education**
* NCrF enables integration of SOAR courses with formal education pathways, including higher education and degree-level programmes, supporting vertical mobility and lifelong learning.
**Impact Analysis**
**Learners and Citizens**
* **Impact:** Gain foundational awareness and readiness in Artificial Intelligence, leading to increased opportunities in AI-driven fields. Access to self-paced, online learning promotes digital literacy and skills development across diverse geographies.
* **Action Required:** Enroll in and complete SOAR courses to acquire AI knowledge and skills.
**Educators**
* **Impact:** Enhanced capacity to teach and integrate AI concepts within their educational frameworks, contributing to a broader AI-ready workforce.
* **Action Required:** Undertake "AI for Educators" courses to gain pedagogical skills for teaching AI.
**Industry Partners (CII, NASSCOM, Microsoft, Max Healthcare, Sector Skill Councils, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Contribute to the development of industry-relevant AI curriculum, shaping the future AI talent pool and fostering innovation within their respective sectors.
* **Action Required:** Continue collaboration in curriculum development and potentially offer further AI-related courses and pathways.
**Government (Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship)**
* **Impact:** Successfully implementing a national initiative to enhance AI readiness, contributing to digital transformation and economic growth. Meeting national skilling objectives and bridging the digital divide.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor, support, and expand the SOAR programme to meet evolving AI landscape demands.
**NCVET-Recognised Awarding Bodies**
* **Impact:** Play a crucial role in delivering NCVET-recognised certifications, validating the skills acquired through the SOAR programme.
* **Action Required:** Continue to facilitate the delivery and accreditation of SOAR courses.
Key Entities Referenced
SOAR (SKILLING FOR AI READINESS) PROGRAMME: The core programme aimed at building foundational awareness and readiness in Artificial Intelligence.
National Credit Framework: The framework used for structuring and integrating SOAR courses, enabling alignment with formal education.
NCVET-recognised Awarding Bodies: Entities responsible for implementing the SOAR programme and awarding qualifications.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship: The government ministry overseeing and implementing the SOAR programme.
NSQF-aligned micro-credentials: The type of learning modules developed and offered within the SOAR programme, aligned to National Skill Qualification Framework.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
SOAR (SKILLING FOR AI READINESS)
PROGRAMME
Posted On: 09 MAR 2026 4:03PM by PIB Delhi
The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme including the 04 courses (AI to be Aware, AI to Aspire,
AI to Acquire, AI for educators) in phase 1 has been implemented as a national initiative to build
foundational awareness and readiness in Artificial Intelligence across learners, educators and citizens. The
programme is delivered through online, self-paced courses hosted on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH),
ensuring nationwide accessibility. The State/UT-wise training data has been kept at Annexure-I. The Data
pertaining to Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Pali and Jodhpur Districts are kept at Anneuxre-II. The
programme is being implemented through NCVET-recognised Awarding Bodies, and does not require
physical vocational training centres as it follows a fully digital delivery model.
Under Phase I of SOAR, four courses were approved, out of which three were structured as NSQF-aligned
micro-credentials under the National Credit Framework. In Phase II, the initiative was expanded
significantly with the approval of 50 NSQF-aligned AI and AI-application courses across multiple sectors.
Out of these, 35 courses have been designed as micro-credentials with defined credit values, notional
hours, and clear progression pathways.
The framework has been developed in alignment with the National Credit Framework and implemented
through NCVET-recognised Awarding Bodies. Industry partnerships have played a central role in
curriculum development, including collaborations with CII, NASSCOM, Microsoft, Max Healthcare,
Sector Skill Councils across Beauty & Wellness, Life Sciences, Tourism, Agriculture, Retail, Furniture &
Fittings, Handicrafts, and others. Courses such as Foundational Course – Applied Machine Learning and
AI (HP), Introduction to Vibe Coding, AI Foundation for Digital Health, AI for Women, AI for
Manufacturing, AI Basics for Furniture Makers, and Yuva AI for All represent structured, credit-enabled
micro-learning modules aligned to NSQF levels 2 to 5.5.
This expansion marks the transition of SOAR from foundational AI literacy to a comprehensive, sector-
integrated, NSQF-aligned micro-credential ecosystem supporting AI for jobs, productivity, and inclusive
growth. The details of the 35 micro-credentials under SOAR is given at Annexure-III.
The Government has undertaken efforts to promote inclusive digital learning and AI awareness across
both urban and rural areas. The design of SOAR as an fully online and self-paced learning initiative
ensures accessibility across geographies, including underserved and remote regions.
Further, the expansion of SOAR includes focus on inclusivity, including courses for the unorganised
sector, women, and persons with disability, thereby contributing to bridging the digital divide and enabling
wider participation in AI-driven opportunities.
The roadmap for SOAR includes progressive expansion from foundational AI literacy to application-
oriented and advanced learning pathways. The programme is being scaled to include sector-specific AI
courses aligned with jobs, productivity and emerging industry requirements. Additionally, alignment withthe National Credit Framework (NCrF) enables integration of SOAR courses with formal education
pathways, including higher education and degree-level programmes, thereby supporting vertical mobility
and lifelong learning in Artificial Intelligence and related domains.
Annexure-I
Data as of SOAR - AI to be SOAR – AI SOAR - AI to Acquire SOAR - AI
23rd Aware Educators
to Aspire
February
2026
States/ Enrolled Certified Enrolled2 Certified3 Enrolled4 Certified5 Enrolled6
UT
Andhra 8551 1258 4409 571 2693 408 3041
Pradesh
Arunachal 114 30 44 10 56 25 20
Pradesh
Assam 3766 986 1456 380 1148 326 1017
Bihar 7243 602 2525 209 1692 121 2346
Chhattisgarh 2357 409 648 78 530 58 536
Goa 119 14 42 10 24 4 49
Gujarat 3414 343 1241 124 835 67 1329
Haryana 3338 440 1144 129 863 100 1171
Himachal 1187 210 367 47 256 26 394
Pradesh
Jharkhand 2163 170 772 51 483 35 773
Karnataka 5364 1013 2543 457 1542 218 1539
Kerala 2487 543 936 162 747 143 795
Madhya 6058 674 2099 227 1433 137 2055
Pradesh
Maharashtra 16466 1292 4674 525 2970 275 6861Manipur 543 201 316 157 246 155 172
Meghalaya 241 48 65 10 45 6 114
Mizoram 35 4 10 1 4 1 14
Nagaland 55 2 13 0 28 15 27
Odisha 3588 250 1260 133 943 106 1041
Punjab 2078 277 663 130 458 100 709
Rajasthan 5156 646 1954 241 1428 199 1854
Sikkim 63 5 18 0 8 0 20
Tamil Nadu 4890 754 2374 280 1507 178 2070
Telangana 4198 977 1709 208 1036 148 1295
Tripura 660 244 328 193 250 138 139
Uttarakhand 1423 188 550 56 368 58 448
Uttar Pradesh 19993 2556 7366 977 5095 644 6233
West Bengal 4781 585 1901 215 1498 182 1817
Andaman 83 9 30 5 24 10 34
and Nicobar
Islands
Chandigarh 103 13 44 12 27 3 28
Dadra and 1280 310 460 88 192 32 899
Nagar Haveli
and Daman
& Diu
The 3198 329 1200 122 849 88 1137
Government
of NCT of
Delhi(Delhi)Jammu & 1654 238 502 56 406 52 570
Kashmir
Ladakh 28 4 6 3 3 0 6
Lakshadweep 9 0 2 0 0 0 0
Puducherry 127 19 65 18 38 7 74
Total 116813 15643 43736 5885 29725 4065 40627
Annexure-II
State District Course name Enrolled Certified
KARNATAKA Bengaluru SOAR - AI for Educators 128 16
KARNATAKA Bengaluru SOAR - AI to Acquire 96 15
KARNATAKA Bengaluru SOAR - AI to Aspire 152 39
KARNATAKA Bengaluru SOAR - AI to be Aware 284 31
KARNATAKA Bengaluru Rural SOAR - AI for Educators 15 2
KARNATAKA Bengaluru Rural SOAR - AI to Acquire 14 1
KARNATAKA Bengaluru Rural SOAR - AI to Aspire 19 4
KARNATAKA Bengaluru Rural SOAR - AI to be Aware 64 3
RAJASTHAN PALI SOAR - AI for Educators 57 6
RAJASTHAN PALI SOAR - AI to Acquire 22 5
RAJASTHAN PALI SOAR - AI to Aspire 37 4
RAJASTHAN PALI SOAR - AI to be Aware 108 12
RAJASTHAN JODHPUR SOAR - AI for Educators 112 10
RAJASTHAN JODHPUR SOAR - AI to Acquire 62 8RAJASTHAN JODHPUR SOAR - AI to Aspire 85 6
RAJASTHAN JODHPUR SOAR - AI to be Aware 215 19
Annexure-III
S.No Name of Name of Qualification/NOS Name NSQF Notional Credits
Awarding Body level Hours
Total
1 CII Foundational Course - Applied 4 30 1
Machine Learning and AI (HP)
2 NASSCOM Introduction to Vibe Coding 4 15 0.5
3 Max Healthcare AI Foundation for Digital Health 3 15 0.5
4 Max Healthcare Applied Artificial Intelligence for 5.5 30 1
Healthcare Systems
5 Beauty & Wellness AI-Based Skin Analysis 3 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council
6 Beauty & Wellness AI Virtual Beauty Try-On 2.5 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council
7 Beauty & Wellness AI Personalized Beauty Product 3 3 0.1
Sector Skill Recommendation
Council
8 Beauty & Wellness AI-Based Scalp Analysis 3 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council
9 Beauty & Wellness AI Virtual Haircut and Beard Try-On 2.5 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council
10 Beauty & Wellness AI-Based Semi-Permanent Makeup 3.5 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council11 Beauty & Wellness AI-Supported Laser Services 3.5 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council
12 Beauty & Wellness AI-Enabled Yoga Practice 3.5 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council
13 Beauty & Wellness AI for Wellness Assessment 3.5 3 0.1
Sector Skill
Council
14 Microsoft AI for Women 4 30 1
15 Microsoft AI for Healthcare 4 30 1
16 Microsoft AI for Manufacturing 4 30 1
17 Microsoft AI for Logistics 4 30 1
18 Microsoft AI for Construction 4 30 1
19 Microsoft AI for Fashion 4 30 1
20 Microsoft AI for Automobiles 4 30 1
21 Microsoft AI for Electronics 4 30 1
22 Microsoft Unlocking AI for Everyone 2 0.75 0.02
23 Jindal Steel Ltd. Gen AI Readiness Program 4 30 1
24 Life Sciences SSC AI in Pharma: Transforming Life 5 4.5 0.15
Sciences Through Technology
25 Furniture & Fitting AI Basics for Furniture Makers 3 7.5 0.25
SSC
26 Tourism SSC Smart Field Facilitator: AI Vision & 4 3 0.1
Live Interpretation for Walk Tours &
Nature Guides
27 Tourism SSC AI-Smart Waste Controller: Operating 4 6 0.2
Food-Waste AI in Commercial
Kitchens28 Handicraft SSC AI for Heritage Craft Storytelling and 3 4.5 0.15
Documentation
29 Handicraft SSC AI as Cultural Translator for Global 3 4.5 0.15
Markets
30 NIELIT Yuva AI for ALL 2 4.5 0.15
31 Agriculture SSC Satellite Data Analysis for Crop 4.5 37.5 1.25
Managment
32 RetaiL SSC Fundamental of AI in Retail 4 30 1
33 NASSCOM Technology and Business 4 30 1
Fundamentals
34 NASSCOM Basic Gen AI Literacy/GenAI 101 3 7.5 0.25
35 SDN- Wadhwani Introduction to Artificial Intelligence 3.5 7.5 0.25
Foundation (AI)
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 Lok Sabha today.
***
SH
(Release ID: 2236967) Visitor Counter : 218
Read this release in: Urdu , ही