India's SOAR Program: Building a Future-Ready Workforce with AI Education

The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) initiative aims to equip Indian students and educators with AI literacy, supported by the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme and Union Budget allocations. Integrating AI into education aligns with India's technological ambitions and the Skill India Mission's 10-year milestone.

India's ambitious Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) program is making strides in shaping the future of artificial intelligence education and skill development. Launched in July 2025, this initiative targets school students and educators, aiming to build a robust AI literacy framework that supports economic self-reliance and digital advancement. With a strategic focus on foundational AI and machine learning concepts, SOAR is aligned with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, fostering a tech-driven society poised for global leadership in innovation.

Official data reveals that as of June 2025, a total of 1,480 apprentices have been trained in AI roles such as AI Data Engineer and Machine Learning Engineer under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS-2). The Union Budget 2025-26 further emphasized AI education by allocating 500 crore for establishing a Centre of Excellence in AI. This substantial financial commitment underscores the government's dedication to integrating AI competencies within India's educational landscape.

Coinciding with the Skill India Mission's 10-year milestone, the SOAR program reflects the country's urgent need for a future-ready workforce amidst transformative technological advancements. As AI becomes increasingly embedded across sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, initiatives like SOAR are crucial for fostering AI literacy. The program's long-term objective is to develop a robust talent pipeline capable of thriving in high-demand tech sectors, ultimately positioning India as a leader in global AI-driven education and workforce development.

(With inputs from agencies.)