New Delhi: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, conferred SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) certificates on learners and launched the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’ at a special ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, reaffirming India’s resolve to build a digitally skilled, inclusive, and future-ready nation.
The certificates were awarded to a diverse group of learners, including students and Members of Parliament, highlighting the government’s emphasis on AI education across age groups and responsibilities. A total of 17 selected students from PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, along with 15 Members of Parliament from across the country, received AI course certificates on the occasion.
The event also set the tone for the upcoming IndiaAI Summit, where India’s vision, preparedness, and collective resolve to shape the global AI future will be articulated.
AI at the Core of India’s Growth Story
Addressing the gathering, President Murmu said that Artificial Intelligence is emerging as a key growth driver for the Indian economy and will play a significant role in the coming decade in boosting GDP, employment, and productivity. She emphasized that skills such as data science, AI engineering, and data analytics would be crucial in developing India’s AI talent pool.
The President noted that the government, in collaboration with institutions, industry partners, and academia, is working to ensure that India not only adopts advanced technologies but also shapes a responsible and ethical future through them. She called upon all stakeholders to work together with commitment to build a developed, knowledge-driven India in line with the National Education Policy.
Strengthening Access to Education
On the occasion, the President also virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre at Rairangpur in Odisha. The new centre is expected to significantly enhance access to quality higher education and learner support, particularly for rural, tribal, women, and working learners. It will serve as a key hub for northern Odisha, supporting admissions, counselling, examinations, and skill-oriented programmes aimed at improving employability.
“I am delighted that through the inauguration of the IGNOU Regional Centre and the Skill Centre in Rairangpur, we are taking quality education and future-ready learning closer to the people, ensuring that no learner is left behind in this era of technological transformation,” the President said.
#SkillTheNation Challenge Launched
President Murmu announced the #SkillTheNation Challenge, calling upon citizens, leaders, and institutions to embrace lifelong learning and future-ready skills. In a symbolic gesture of leadership by example, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, personally enrolled in and completed the AI learning module under SOAR. He subsequently nominated others to take up the challenge, creating a cascading chain of participation.
As part of the programme, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) also conducted a special interactive AI learning session at Rashtrapati Bhavan in collaboration with Google.
Leaders Emphasise ‘AI for All’
Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan said that India’s next leap lies in ensuring that both students and educators embrace ‘AI for All’, building on the country’s success in digital public infrastructure such as UPI. He reiterated his commitment to AI learning, stating that leaders must learn and lead by example.
Speaking on the occasion, Jayant Chaudhary said the SOAR programme, launched in July 2025, was designed to demystify AI and make it accessible across regions and backgrounds. He noted that the course has already seen 1.59 lakh enrolments in six months, reflecting India’s growing appetite for future-ready learning. The #SkillTheNation Challenge, he said, aims to transform skilling into a people-led movement, ensuring that AI expands opportunity, strengthens inclusion, and promotes ethical adoption.
The event was attended by senior ministers, secretaries, and officials from the Ministries of Education and Skill Development, along with academicians and institutional leaders, underlining a whole-of-government approach to building an AI-ready India.
