SOAR (SKILLING FOR AI READINESS) PROGRAMME – EQ

In Short : The SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) Programme aims to equip students, professionals, and MSMEs with essential artificial intelligence skills for the evolving digital economy. The initiative focuses on training, capacity building, and industry collaboration to promote AI literacy and innovation. By strengthening workforce capabilities, the programme supports India’s ambition to become a global leader in emerging technologies.

In Detail : The Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme including the 04 courses (AI to be Aware, AI to Aspire, AI to Acquire, AI for educators) in phase 1 has been implemented as a national initiative to build foundational awareness and readiness in Artificial Intelligence across learners, educators and citizens. The programme is delivered through online, self-paced courses hosted on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH), ensuring nationwide accessibility. The State/UT-wise training data has been kept at Annexure-I. The Data pertaining to Bengaluru, Bengaluru Rural, Pali and Jodhpur Districts are kept at Anneuxre-II. The programme is being implemented through NCVET-recognised Awarding Bodies, and does not require physical vocational training centres as it follows a fully digital delivery model.

Under Phase I of SOAR, four courses were approved, out of which three were structured as NSQF-aligned micro-credentials under the National Credit Framework. In Phase II, the initiative was expanded significantly with the approval of 50 NSQF-aligned AI and AI-application courses across multiple sectors. Out of these, 35 courses have been designed as micro-credentials with defined credit values, notional hours, and clear progression pathways.

The framework has been developed in alignment with the National Credit Framework and implemented through NCVET-recognised Awarding Bodies. Industry partnerships have played a central role in curriculum development, including collaborations with CII, NASSCOM, Microsoft, Max Healthcare, Sector Skill Councils across Beauty & Wellness, Life Sciences, Tourism, Agriculture, Retail, Furniture & Fittings, Handicrafts, and others. Courses such as Foundational Course – Applied Machine Learning and AI (HP), Introduction to Vibe Coding, AI Foundation for Digital Health, AI for Women, AI for Manufacturing, AI Basics for Furniture Makers, and Yuva AI for All represent structured, credit-enabled micro-learning modules aligned to NSQF levels 2 to 5.5.

This expansion marks the transition of SOAR from foundational AI literacy to a comprehensive, sector-integrated, NSQF-aligned micro-credential ecosystem supporting AI for jobs, productivity, and inclusive growth. The details of the 35 micro-credentials under SOAR is given at Annexure-III.

The Government has undertaken efforts to promote inclusive digital learning and AI awareness across both urban and rural areas. The design of SOAR as an fully online and self-paced learning initiative ensures accessibility across geographies, including underserved and remote regions.

Further, the expansion of SOAR includes focus on inclusivity, including courses for the unorganised sector, women, and persons with disability, thereby contributing to bridging the digital divide and enabling wider participation in AI-driven opportunities.

The roadmap for SOAR includes progressive expansion from foundational AI literacy to application-oriented and advanced learning pathways. The programme is being scaled to include sector-specific AI courses aligned with jobs, productivity and emerging industry requirements. Additionally, alignment with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) enables integration of SOAR courses with formal education pathways, including higher education and degree-level programmes, thereby supporting vertical mobility and lifelong learning in Artificial Intelligence and related domains.

Annexure-I

Annexure-II

Annexure-III

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Shri Jayant Chaudhary in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.