Independence Day 2026 | PM Modi announces AI skilling for one crore youth within a year

In a major push to prepare the country’s young workforce for future technologies, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (August 15) announced that the government has resolved to provide Artificial Intelligence (AI) skill training to one crore youth over the next one year.

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, the Prime Minister highlighted the crucial role of youth in nation-building and achieving the vision of a developed nation.

“In the journey of a developed India, youth have a massive role to play,” Prime Minister Modi said. “Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I want to make an announcement for the nation’s youth: We have resolved that in the coming one year, we will provide AI skill training to one crore youth, so that the youth of our country have the capability to lead the world in the field of AI as well.”

The Prime Minister framed AI and digital literacy as essential competencies for the next generation, aiming to democratise tech education and expand foundational to advanced AI learning across the country. The target builds on the government’s broader digital ecosystem push to make cutting-edge technical skills accessible beyond tier-1 cities.

The announcement was part of a package of youth-focused initiatives unveiled during the address, which also included plans to provide free online coaching for various competitive examinations to ease the financial burden on poor and middle-class families.

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