India Aims to Lead World with Largest AI-Ready School Population: Jayant Chaudhary

As the Skill India Mission marks a decade, the Indian government unveils a bold AI-driven future for education and skilling.

New Delhi, July 21 — India is poised to become the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) integration at the school level, with Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) and Education, Jayant Chaudhary, stating that the country could soon host the world’s largest AI-ready school-going population.

Speaking at ‘BharatSkillNxt 2025’, an event celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Skill India Mission, Chaudhary shared an ambitious vision. “In the next six months, India’s school-going population could make a powerful global statement—that we are home to the world’s largest network of young learners who are not just being introduced to AI, but actively using and applying it,” he said.

 

Skill India Mission: 10 Years of Transformation

The event, held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marked a decade of the Skill India Mission, launched in 2015 to empower Indian youth with relevant vocational skills. The initiative has now evolved into a national movement that is not only transforming individual lives but also shaping India’s global competitiveness in education and workforce readiness.

Chaudhary emphasized that skill development is not a fallback option but a foundation for growth. Whether it’s retraining army veterans, supporting women entrepreneurs, or enabling young minds to harness AI, he said the mission is about recognizing talent and restoring dignity to work.

“Initiatives like SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) represent our commitment to integrating technology from the grassroots. This is not accidental progress—it’s by design,” he added, linking the mission to India’s broader goal of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
 

New Initiatives and Roadmaps Launched
 

Several initiatives were unveiled during the event to chart the course for the next phase of India’s skilling ecosystem. These include:

• IndiaSkills 2025–2026 Operational Guidelines & Registration Portal
• SOAR – for integrating AI learning from school level
• KaushalVerse Digital Enterprise Portal by NCVET
• New Apprenticeship Training Portal
• Assessment Agencies and Awarding Body Guidelines

Additionally, key publications such as the India Semiconductor Workforce Strategy, Skill Impact Bond Report, and JSS Employability Skills Trainer Handbook were released.

Leaders Reinforce India’s Skilling Vision

Also present at the event was Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry and Electronics & IT. He lauded the mission for driving a generational shift in how India prepares its youth. “From SOAR to flexible apprenticeship models, we are creating pathways that empower our youth to compete and lead globally,” he said.

Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State for Education, highlighted that the National Credit Framework and AI-integrated learning are bringing true choice, mobility, and opportunity into India’s education system.

“From rural towns to technology hubs, young learners—especially girls—are emerging with confidence, curiosity, and creativity. This mission isn’t just about jobs—it’s about preparing youth for life,” he remarked.

Indo-French MoU and Global Collaboration
 

One of the key highlights of the event was the signing of multiple high-impact Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), underscoring India’s emphasis on public-private and global collaboration.

A major MoU was signed between MSDE and the French Republic, reinforcing their shared vision for empowering youth through vocational training. French Ambassador Thierry Mathou called the agreement a step toward creating a future-ready global workforce.

Other important MoUs included:

• NSTI Bangalore & SLN Technology (DST scheme)
• NSTI Mumbai & ICICI Foundation (for rural incubation)
• Flexi MoUs with major companies and institutions like Microsoft, HCL, Apollo MedSkills, IIT Hyderabad, NIT Agartala, IIIT Una, and RRU Gandhinagar

These partnerships aim to strengthen PMKVY’s institutional ecosystem, expand hands-on learning, and promote research and development.

Voices from the Ground: Impact Stories
 

The event also featured testimonials from beneficiaries of schemes like PM Vishwakarma, JSS, NIESBUD, NAPS, and Skill Impact Bond. These real-life stories highlighted how the Skill India Mission has led to livelihood transformation, especially in rural and marginalized communities.

High-performing ITIs were felicitated, and top candidates from flagship skilling initiatives were recognized for their excellence.

 

Conclusion: Towards a Kaushal Bharat

As the event concluded, a clear message emerged—India is not just skilling for today, but preparing for tomorrow. With AI, digital innovation, and global partnerships at its core, the next phase of the Skill India Mission promises to accelerate India’s rise as a global leader in human capital and technological readiness.

From empowering students to preparing resilient entrepreneurs and building sustainable industries, India’s skilling journey is becoming a model for the world.

As Chaudhary concluded: “This is the future we are building—bold, tech-savvy, and ready to lead.”