The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) is planning to expand the National AI Skills Program to rural, remote and underserved areas to give more young people access to training in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.
The proposed expansion is aimed at improving employment opportunities, increasing digital inclusion and building skills in areas such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing and other emerging fields.
According to a ministry document, the government is currently offering training in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data science and software development.
Under the AI Policy 2025, the government plans to train one million new and existing IT graduates in IT and related technologies over a period of five years. It also aims to train 10,000 instructors in emerging technologies by 2027.
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The government is also working on several other programs, including the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative, Google certification training for government employees, the National AI Upskilling Program in collaboration with Meta, DigiSkills, Code4AI and the National AI Innovation Hub.
During the 2025-26 fiscal year, more than 900,000 training sessions were conducted through different DigiSkills courses. The Code4AI program is expected to train 7,500 people in AI based full stack development and other related technologies.
The ministry has pointed to limited training facilities, weak internet connectivity, a shortage of qualified instructors and low awareness as major challenges in underserved areas.
To address these issues, the government is considering the establishment of regional training hubs, online and hybrid learning programs, partnerships with universities and industry, as well as scholarships and targeted assistance for women and disadvantaged groups.
The ministry may also carry out a nationwide assessment to identify areas with limited access to training and determine the skills most needed in those regions before developing a phased expansion plan.
The proposals also include specialized training in artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing, cybersecurity and cloud computing. Online learning platforms, mobile training facilities and regional technology centres are also being considered to expand access to training.