Hyderabad: President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday announced the launch of the Skill the Nation Challenge, urging citizens to actively participate in AI learning through the SOAR course on the Skill India Digital Hub.
According to the President, the initiative marked a key step in equipping India with future-ready artificial intelligence capabilities. She therefore called upon policymakers, educators, professionals and youth to join the nationwide AI learning movement.
Launched in July 2025, the SOAR programme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship offers structured micro-credential courses. It specifically targets school students, teachers, working professionals and lifelong learners.
Notably, officials said the programme simplifies AI learning while emphasising ethical and responsible use. Over the past six months, more than 1.59 lakh learners across the country have enrolled in the course.
Demonstrating leadership by example, Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Jayant Chaudhary completed the SOAR ‘AI to be Aware’ module. Subsequently, he nominated three others to take up the Skill the Nation Challenge.
He nominated Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh, Prasar Bharati CEO Gaurav Dwivedi and All-India Chess Federation president Nitin Narang. As a result, the initiative gained momentum as a cascading national movement for AI awareness.
Skill the Nation Challenge sees strong leadership participation
Speaking on the occasion, Jayant Chaudhary said India’s future workforce must be AI confident, not merely digitally aware. Therefore, he described SOAR as a national mission to build capability, confidence and curiosity in artificial intelligence.
He added that leadership participation would inspire citizens to prepare for an AI-enabled future. Moreover, he stressed that learning should begin with those in positions of responsibility.
Meanwhile, President Murmu awarded AI course certificates to 17 students on the same occasion. These students came from PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across seven States.
Importantly, the initiative also received strong support from Parliament. A total of 15 Members of Parliament completed the SOAR AI course module.
Officials said this participation reflected growing leadership commitment towards AI readiness within India’s democratic institutions. Consequently, the ministry said it would continue expanding access to AI learning nationwide.
The Skilling for AI Readiness #SOAR and #SkillTheNation Challenge, aims to place emerging technology and skills at the mainframe of an aspirational nation building mission.
My congratulations to the Hon’ble Members of Parliament and students who completed the #SOAR course and… pic.twitter.com/YyUDuDi57E
— Jayant Singh (@jayantrld) January 1, 2026
