The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is strengthening human-centric skills including creativity, critical thinking, leadership, communication and teamwork in response to growing Artificial Intelligence adoption across industries. Through the Skill India Mission, MSDE delivers skill training via Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) and National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS), with a mandatory Employability Skills module that combines basic digital literacy with professional communication, cognitive problem-solving, and workplace interpersonal dynamics.
Under PMKVY, new age job roles have been aligned with Industry 4.0 requirements in AI/ML, Robotics, Mechatronics, and Drone Technology. Specific training is provided for roles including AI-Machine Learning Engineer, AI-Data Scientist, AI-Data Architect, AI-Data Engineer, AI Technocrat, Artificial Intelligence Assistant and AI & ML-Junior Telecom Data Analyst. As of June 30, 2026, the Skill India Digital Hub database shows 39,104 candidates trained/oriented and 25,466 certified in AI-related job roles under PMKVY 4.0.
The Directorate General of Training has introduced new age courses under CTS covering 5G Network, AI Programming, Cyber Security, Drone Technology, and Internet of Things. MSDE has launched the national-level SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative to embed AI awareness and foundational skills among school students (Classes 6-12) and build AI literacy among educators, aiming to ensure equitable access across geographies.
Ministry of Electronics and IT along with IT-ITeS Sector Skills Council (Nasscom) launched the FutureSkills Prime platform offering courses on Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, and other digital skills, with Nasscom creating 146 Qualifications in future skills job roles.
NCVET serves as the overarching regulator establishing regulations and standards for Technical and Vocational Education and Training, recognizing industry bodies and academic institutions as Awarding Bodies and Assessment Agencies. NCVET has approved 10,209 industry-required qualifications, with 2,975 currently valid and active, 7,234 archived, and 678 specifically categorized as future skills qualifications.
DGT implements Flexi MoU Scheme and Dual System of Training in collaboration with industries to provide ITI students with real industrial environment training. Partnerships have been established with IBM, Microsoft, Autodesk, AWS, Shell and other tech companies to ensure industry linkages at state and regional levels for technical and professional skills training in modern technologies.
Two Indian Institute of Skills have been established at Ahmedabad and Mumbai in Public Private Partnership mode to align industry-ready workforce with emerging economic opportunities. Thirty-six Sector Skill Councils led by industry leaders have been set up to identify sector-specific skill development needs and determine competency standards.