From Certification to Nomination: How ‘Skill the Nation’ Took Shape Inside Government Circles 

President Droupadi Murmu supports the SOAR initiative as Jayant Chaudhary and multiple MPs complete formal AI certification.

The ‘Skill the Nation’ challenge took shape within government circles this week as senior leadership participation moved beyond endorsement into direct learning and peer nomination. The sequence began with the Hon’ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu, extending support to the SOAR AI learning programme, followed by ministers, Members of Parliament, and students completing formal certification.
The initiative is anchored in SOAR, short for Skilling for AI Readiness, a programme under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship delivered through the Skill India Digital Hub. Introduced in July 2025, the course has been positioned as a foundational AI awareness module, designed for learners across age groups and professional backgrounds. Over the past six months, more than 1.59 lakh individuals have enrolled, with thousands completing certification.

A visible shift occurred as Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, completed the SOAR ‘AI to be Aware’ module himself. Following certification, he nominated three individuals to continue the learning chain: Nara Lokesh, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh; Gaurav Dwivedi, Chief Executive Officer of Prasar Bharati; and Nitin Narang, President of the All India Chess Federation.
According to the ministry, the intent of the challenge is to normalise AI literacy across institutions by treating learning as a shared responsibility rather than a specialised skill set. The SOAR curriculum focuses on basic AI concepts, ethical considerations, and real-world application awareness, without requiring prior technical training.

The initiative has also seen participation from the legislative branch. Fifteen Members of Parliament across the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have completed the SOAR module, signalling cross-party engagement with AI literacy at a time when technology policy and governance increasingly intersect.
Alongside policymakers, students have been formally included in the certification process. A group of 17 students from PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across multiple states received AI course certificates in the presence of the President. The inclusion of school-level learners places early AI exposure within the framework of structured, government-backed education.

By linking certification to nomination rather than one-time participation, the ‘Skill the Nation’ effort has taken on a cascading structure. Leadership involvement has positioned AI learning as an active process within governance rather than a distant policy goal, setting a precedent where public office holders participate alongside citizens in foundational digital education.

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