Centre pushes AI skills across education and workforce for Viksit Bharat 2047
The Union Government has announced a fresh push to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills across schools, training centres, and workplaces in step with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Union Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Jayant Chaudhary called for tighter collaboration between people, institutions, and industry so India's workforce can thrive in an AI-led future.
At a meeting on AI skilling in New Delhi, the minister said AI learning must be practical and accessible. He also underlined a simple truth educators know well: working professionals need to keep updating their skills as technology moves forward.
What this means for educators
- Start AI literacy early: basic data concepts, safe and responsible use, prompts, bias, and ethics from middle school onward. Use local-language material where possible.
- Integrate into existing courses: pair AI tools with current vocational modules (quality checks in manufacturing, demand forecasting in retail, triage support in healthcare, energy use in facilities).
- Make learning hands-on: small projects, community datasets, and real tasks from local employers. Keep theory tight and focused.
- Upskill teachers continuously: short weekly practice sessions, peer circles, and micro-credentials valued by industry. Incentivise classroom application, not just certificates.
- Right-size infrastructure: shared computer labs, cloud notebooks, and open tools first. Add specialised hardware only where workloads demand it.
- Assessment that matters: project rubrics that check problem framing, model choice, accuracy, explainability, and bias controls.
- Inclusion by design: dedicated cohorts for women and returning learners; clear bridges from non-tech roles to AI-assisted tasks.
- Work-based learning: apprenticeships and credit-bearing internships with AI tasks embedded in existing job roles.
Programmes in focus
The ministry reviewed initiatives under the IndiaAI Mission (including FutureSkills), TechSaksham 2.0 for women, and AI training under PMKVY 4.0. For reference, see the mission overview on the official portal: IndiaAI.
Ministry priorities, translated into actions
- Introduce basic AI lessons in vocational courses: add short AI modules to trades rather than creating separate subjects.
- Improve training infrastructure: modernise labs, ensure reliable internet, and provide shared access to compute where needed.
- Promote AI awareness early: run school-level clubs, teacher bootcamps, and community demos to build trust and interest.
- Strengthen industry partnerships: co-create curriculum, co-supervise projects, and source live problem statements.
- Keep regulations flexible: allow pilot programmes, sandbox assessments, and faster updates to course standards.
90-day checklist for institutions
- Pick three high-enrolment courses and add a 10-15 hour AI module each.
- Run a faculty upskilling sprint: 4-6 sessions covering prompts, data basics, and ethics.
- Set up a shared cloud notebook environment and publish starter templates for classes.
- Launch one capstone per department tied to a local industry problem.
- Publish clear policies on responsible AI use for students and staff.
Where to upskill next
If you need a quick way to map learning to roles, explore curated options here: AI courses by job role. It's a practical starting point for faculty and training managers building team-wide plans.
Bottom line
The direction is clear: AI skills must become part of everyday teaching and training. With tight collaboration and a bias for practical learning, institutions can prepare learners-and working professionals-to lead in an AI-enabled economy.
Your membership also unlocks:
