Policy Update
Srikkoni Basu
Background:
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) recently launched a SOAR Programme – Skilling for AI Readiness, during Bharat SkillsNXT 2025 Summit. This is a landmark move aimed at improving the youth of India to evolve in the digital era. This initiative by MSDE reflects India’s growing commitment to embedding artificial intelligence education into the school curriculum from an early age.
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly increasing in the everyday life of humans. As the global demand for AI-related skills is rising, SOAR aims to create a future-ready generation equipped with technical knowledge and ethical and societal understanding required to navigate AI-driven transformation. This programme is part of a larger mission under Skill India, celebrating its 10th anniversary alongside the launch.
The world is witnessing the revolution led by technological advancement, machine learning, AI, data analytics and automation. Unfortunately, Access to AI education in India has remained limited to higher education and elite institutions. The SOAR Programme breaks the barrier by introducing these subjects to classes of 6 to 12, including less resourceful schools, and by ensuring teachers are trained to deliver the subject. It aspires to build the largest AI-ready school population in the world, as declared by the Union Minister, Jayant Chaudhary.
Objectives of the Programme:
The Skill for AI Readiness Programme is built around major objectives:
- Early AI Exposure: Introduce students to AI concepts at a young age to foster confidence, interest and innovation in tech-related careers.
- Bridging the Skill Divide: The reach of the programme must be beyond urban spaces and privileged. It should include students from all the regions, religions, castes, genders, and other socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Teacher Empowerment: Educators should have proper tools, curriculum, and training to teach AI in classrooms.
This programme also aligns with the Viksit Bharat 2047, GOI’s long-term vision of creating a developed, digitally empowered and inclusive nation.
Functioning of the Programme:
The MSDE initiated a national programme to embed AI awareness and foundational learning among school students. SOAR includes three progressive 15-hour modules for students- to Aware, AI to Acquire, and AI to Aspire- and a 45-hour module for teachers titled AI for Educators.
Addressing an event in New Delhi, Union Minister Jayant Chaudhary said that India aspires to build the world’s largest network for young learners actively engaged with AI. This vision includes school-going students, not just learning about artificial intelligence, but also to make an impact which is meaningful to the world.
The three modules for the school-going students of Classes 6 to 12 are:
- AI to be Aware- This module introduces the concept of AI, how it works, and where AI is seen. It will increase the curiosity among the students.
- AI to Acquire- In this module, basic coding, algorithms and tools for machine language are introduced.
- AI to Aspire- This module is an advanced level which introduces the ethical and career-related options.
For teachers, the “AI for Educators” Modules include-
- To have a better understanding of the curriculum
- Using AI tools
- Promoting inclusivity
- Creating AI projects
- Learning AI ethical practices
Teaching will be done through blended formats- like workshops, webinars, seminars and online courses.
Part in National Development Objectives:
- Narrowing the Digital Gap– It makes sure that students from all regions get access to the exposure.
- Skill Impact Bond- To support this broad development, MSDE has secured $14.4 million through a skill impact bond, a tool created to deliver evidence-based training with multi-stakeholder buy-in and quantifiable profits
- KaushalVerse Integration– It is a business digital portal that simplifies skill-based learning, testing and communication alongside SOAR. By providing the source material on one platform, this initiative strengthens the SOAR.
Challenges and Limitations:
Although, SOAR Programme is a progressive move but certain limitations are seen in the way of successful implementation. These challenges should be dealt with and worked upon to meet the objectives. The most important issue which is seen in this program is of Digital Divide and Infrastructural Gaps.
Most of the schools, especially in rural areas, do not have proper internet facilities and proper infrastructure (computers, smart class, connection, and electricity supply). Without addressing these barriers, it is difficult to implement the program. The other challenge is of extra burden of the curriculum that can make students more stressed. Students are expected to ace subjects like Maths, Science, but with extra classes of AI, students might get pressurised.
AI subjects are mostly taught in English, which will make it difficult for the students of state-board government schools in where the mode of study is their local language. Developing local language AI modules is extremely crucial to reach a mass level. There is a risk of misuse of AI if it is not properly taught with ethics and moral code. In the module “AI to enquire”, ethics is already covered, but it is quite essential to be taught in every module.
International Comparisons:
India’s SOAR Programme is notable and scalable, but it is also part of a larger global trend to implement AI education in school curricula. In the United States, initiatives like AI4K12 and MIT’s RAISE emphasize mostly on project-based learning and ethical awareness due to its decentralized education system. Finland- often seen as a global leader in education also pioneered AI literacy. Meanwhile, Sweden has embedded AI into its curriculum from an early age to prepare students for data data-driven society.
In contrast to them, SOAR is more comprehensive and centralized to reach to huge number of students. Though its success is highly dependent on developing infrastructure and increasing teacher capacity, its goal of being the largest AI-ready school makes it different from the rest of the initiatives.
Conclusion:
The Skilling for AI Readiness Programme is one of a kind in India’s educational horizon. It will raise a whole generation who will spearhead the global world with ethical innovators for tomorrow.. With this programme, India will motivate and empower students, be it from rural or urban, to think creatively and innovate boldly in AI AI-driven world. If implemented well with active coordination, it may become a blueprint for the rest of the world.
References:
1. The Indian Express. (2025). Skill Development Ministry launches SOAR to teach AI in schools.
2. Hindustan Times. (2025). India to lead with AI-ready school population.
3. Jagran Josh. (2025). What is SOAR programme? India rolls out massive AI skilling for schools.
What is SOAR Progamme? India Rolls Out Massive AI Skilling for Schools
4. Economic Times. (2025). Skills ministry launches AI programme for school students.
Skills ministry launches AI programme for school students – The Economic Times
About the author:
Srikkoni Basu is a post-graduate student in Development Studies from Dr. B.R Ambedkar University, Delhi, and an intern at IMPRI, with fieldwork experience in SEVA Kolkata, in the Gender, Self-Help Groups, Policy, Education & Livelihood.
Acknowledgment:
The author would like to express sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team for their guidance and support with the article.
Disclaimer:
All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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