Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is emerging as one of the country’s leading states in skill development, with the state government’s flagship Project Praveen showing encouraging results in preparing young people for future technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the initiative seeks to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban youth by introducing technology-oriented skill development at the school level. As part of the programme, nearly 50,000 students participated in the state-level assessment for the four-hour “AI for All” course conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission. The students recorded an impressive average score of 70.41 per cent, highlighting their growing familiarity with emerging technologies.
The results are being viewed as a significant step towards the state government’s vision of a “Skilled UP–Empowered UP”, aimed at creating a future-ready workforce.
Transparent Examination Completed in Five Days
The state-level assessment was conducted within five days, with emphasis on confidentiality, transparency and timely evaluation.
Question papers were dispatched to the districts under strict confidentiality on July 8, followed by the main examination on July 9. A special examination was conducted on July 10 for students who could not appear in the main test. Evaluation was completed across 73 districts, with the results forwarded to the Mission headquarters by July 13. The results were subsequently verified on August 8.
The completion of the examination and evaluation process for around 50,000 students within such a short timeframe was described as a significant achievement.
More Than 89% Students Clear Assessment
The examination results showed that more than 89 per cent of students successfully cleared the assessment, with their performance divided into three categories.
More than 12,500 students scored above 80 per cent, placing them in the top-performing category. This means more than one in every four students achieved an outstanding score.
The largest group, comprising more than 28,000 students, secured scores between 50 and 80 per cent and was placed in the competent category. The state government views this group as a potential pool of future-ready skilled workers.
Only 4,819 students scored below 50 per cent. Special remedial classes are planned for these students to ensure that no learner is left behind.
Western UP Leads Regional Performance
Regional performance also reflected strong outcomes. Western Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest average score, with 18,395 students achieving an average of 74.3 per cent. Around 37.8 per cent of students from the region were placed in the top category.
Bundelkhand also recorded a strong performance, posting an average score of 74.2 per cent. The region had the lowest proportion of students scoring below 50 per cent in the state, at just 4.9 per cent.
Meanwhile, students in Central Uttar Pradesh recorded an average score of 69.7 per cent, while 14,387 students across 21 districts of Purvanchal achieved an average score of 64.7 per cent.
210-Hour Skill Development Programme
Under Project Praveen, students from Classes 9 to 12 are provided a 210-hour free skill development programme. The curriculum includes job-oriented training in areas such as information technology, beauty and wellness, healthcare, agriculture and electronics.
Alongside these vocational courses, the four-hour “AI for All” programme has been introduced to familiarise students with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
The initiative marks a significant expansion of skill-based education in government and aided secondary schools. The state government has emphasised taking technology and vocational training beyond urban centres so that students in rural areas can also gain exposure to new-age skills.
With nearly 50,000 students recording an average score of 70.41 per cent in the AI assessment, Project Praveen is emerging as an important component of Uttar Pradesh’s efforts to build a skilled, technology-ready generation and expand opportunities for young people across the state.
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