President Droupadi Murmu on Friday announced the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’, encouraging citizens, policymakers, educators, professionals and youth to enrol in the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) programme on the Skill India Digital Hub to strengthen India’s AI capabilities. She said the initiative would equip the nation with future-ready AI skills and support India’s drive toward a technologically empowered society.
SOAR — the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship’s flagship AI skilling programme launched in July 2025 — offers structured micro-credential courses for school students, educators, professionals and lifelong learners. Over the past six months, more than 1.59 lakh learners have enrolled, with thousands successfully completing AI certifications.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary has completed the SOAR ‘AI to be Aware’ module and nominated Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh Rao, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi and All-India Chess Federation President Nitin Narang to take up the challenge. Seventeen students from PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas received AI certificates from the President. Notably, 15 Members of Parliament have also completed the course.
In Guwahati, education institutions, IT service providers and startup founders view the initiative as a catalyst for emerging technology adoption. Local training centres expect rising enrolments in AI programmes, while industry observers believe improved AI literacy could strengthen Assam’s digital services ecosystem and create new employment opportunities in the city’s expanding knowledge economy.
