Context: India has launched the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) Programme under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) to prepare students and educators for the Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future. The initiative aligns with India’s goal of becoming a global hub for AI innovation and digital talent.
About the SOAR Programme
The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative seeks to embed AI learning into India’s school education and vocational training ecosystem, focusing on early AI literacy, teacher capacity-building, and inclusive digital education.
Its long-term vision is to make India a global leader in AI-led innovation, employment, and entrepreneurship by equipping the youth with future-ready skills.
Key Features of the SOAR Programme
- Target Audience: Students from Classes VI–XII and educators nationwide.
- Structured Learning:
- Students: Three foundational 15-hour AI modules covering basics of AI, machine learning, data literacy, and ethical AI use.
- Teachers: A 45-hour specialized module on AI pedagogy, integration, and classroom innovation.
- Ethics & Inclusion: Emphasizes responsible AI, promoting awareness of data privacy, bias prevention, and ethical digital citizenship.
- Budgetary Support: The Union Budget 2025–26 has allocated ₹500 crore to establish a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Education under MSDE.
Centre of Excellence in AI for Education
The proposed Centre aims to:
- Develop AI-powered learning tools and teaching aids.
- Promote multilingual AI resources in Indian languages for inclusivity.
- Foster AI curriculum innovation across technical institutes, including IITs and AICTE-approved colleges.
- Encourage industry–academia collaboration for AI research and practical skill-building.
Significance
- Bridging the Skill Gap: Strengthens India’s workforce readiness for Industry 4.0.
- Educational Reform: Introduces early AI literacy within the NEP 2020 framework.
- Employment Catalyst: Creates a foundation for AI-driven startups, research, and jobs.
- Digital Inclusion: Ensures access to AI learning for students from diverse linguistic and socio-economic backgrounds.
Conclusion
The SOAR Programme reflects India’s strategic focus on integrating AI education within its skilling ecosystem. By empowering students and teachers with AI competencies, India aims to transform from a technology consumer to an innovation-driven economy, reinforcing its role in shaping the global AI landscape.