Picture courtesy: Press Information Bureau

At Bharat SkillNxt 2025, a recent event celebrating 10 years of the Skill India Mission, a slew of initiatives were unveiled by India’s Ministry of Skill Development (MSDE). The most important one being SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), a national-level initiative to equip the country’s school-goers with AI skills.

“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. This is the future we are building—bold, tech-savvy, and ready to lead,” announced Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE and Minister of State, Education, Government of India.

SOAR will work towards building AI awareness and foundational skills among school students (Classes 6–12) as well as 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. SOAR comprises three progressive 15-hour modules for students—AI to be Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire—and one independent 45-hour module for teachers titled AI for Educators. The program introduces concepts such as AI basics, generative AI, AI in daily life, programming fundamentals, ethics, cybersecurity and future career opportunities.