Lok Sabha Question No. 2335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-15
Subject: Impact of SOAR initiative
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2335

ANSWERED ON 15.12.2025

## IMPACT OF SOAR INITIATIVE

## 2335.  SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI:

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  features  and  implementation  status  of  the  Skilling  for  AI  Readiness (SOAR) initiative;
- (b) the total number of students and teachers trained under the said scheme so far;
- (c) the progress made under the Drone Didi scheme, including the number of women trained in drone operations; and
- (d) whether the Government has reviewed the impact of the said schemes on employability and future skills and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a) The  Skilling  for  AI  Readiness  (SOAR)  programme  is  a  structured  skill  development initiative  designed to build personal, professional and workplace readiness among learners. It strengthens essential competencies such as communication, critical thinking, digital literacy and behavioural  skills  through  curated  modules,  guided  learning  and  practical  engagement.  The programme  equips  participants  with  the  confidence  and  capabilities  needed  to  perform effectively  in  technology-driven  work  environments  and  supports  their  progression  across diverse career pathways. Under the SOAR initiative, multiple courses have been launched in collaboration with leading industry partners such as Microsoft,  HCL  Technologies  and NASSCOM to build AI awareness, foundational readiness and educator capability.
- (b) Under the SOAR initiative, AI-readiness courses are being delivered in partnership with Microsoft, HCL Technologies and NASSCOM to equip students and educators with foundational and applied AI skills.

The total number of students and teachers trained under the said scheme so far;

| SOAR Coursewise details as on 7th Dec 2025   | SOAR Coursewise details as on 7th Dec 2025   | SOAR Coursewise details as on 7th Dec 2025   | SOAR Coursewise details as on 7th Dec 2025   |
|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Content Provider                             | Course Name                                  | Enrolled                                     | Certified                                    |
| Microsoft                                    | SOAR - AI to Acquire                         | 6,359                                        | 780                                          |
| Microsoft                                    | SOAR - AI for Educators                      | 9,926                                        | 930                                          |
| Microsoft                                    | SOAR - AI to Aspire                          | 8,084                                        | 1310                                         |
| Microsoft                                    | SOAR - AI to be Aware                        | 28,154                                       | 3,567                                        |
| HCL Technologies Ltd                         | SOAR - AI to Aspire                          | 17,472                                       | 997                                          |
| HCL Technologies Ltd                         | SOAR - AI to Acquire                         | 8,544                                        | 531                                          |
| HCL Technologies Ltd                         | SOAR - AI for Educator                       | 7,544                                        | 571                                          |
| HCL Technologies Ltd                         | SOAR - AI to be Aware                        | 31,564                                       | 2,778                                        |

| NASSCOM   | SOAR - AI to Acquire   | 3,207   |   147 |
|-----------|------------------------|---------|-------|
| NASSCOM   | SOAR - AI to be Aware  | 8,196   |   441 |
| NASSCOM   | SOAR - AI to Aspire    | 3,195   |    98 |
| NASSCOM   | SOAR - AI for Educator | 2,241   |   101 |

(c) The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare implements 'Namo Drone Didi' scheme with  an  objective  to  promote  advance  technology  in  agriculture  for  improved  efficiency, enhanced  crop  yield  &  reduced  cost  of  operation  and  to  empower  SHGs  as  drone  service providers for increasing their income and providing livelihood support to them.

Further,  this  Ministry  also  conduct  training  in  drone-related  job  roles  under  Pradhan  Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY4.0). The progress made in the drone-related job roles under PMKVY 4.0, including the number of women trained in drone operations, is as follows:

| Job Role Name                               | No. of candidates Trained/oriented   | No. of candidates Trained/oriented   | Total   |
|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|---------|
| Job Role Name                               | Female                               | Male                                 |         |
| Drone Manufacturing and Assembly Technician | 2,576                                | 5,532                                | 8,108   |
| Drone Operator - Multi Rotor                | 18                                   | 169                                  | 187     |
| Drone Service Technician                    | 7,229                                | 7,337                                | 14,566  |
| Kisan Drone Operator                        | 1,185                                | 1,724                                | 2,909   |

(d) The Government undertakes periodic reviews of AI and drone-related skilling initiatives under  the  Skill  India  Mission,  assessing  enrolment,  certification,  placement,  self-employment outcomes and employer feedback to gauge their effectiveness  in  strengthening employability and future skills. These reviews support continuous curriculum updates, industry collaboration and  improvements  in  implementation  modalities,  ensuring  that  SOAR  and  drone-related programmes remain aligned with evolving technology trends and labour-market requirements. The effectiveness of broader skill development schemes is also evaluated through MIS-based monitoring,  third-party  assessments  and  beneficiary  feedback.  The  Impact  Evaluation  of PMKVY 2.0 reported a measurable rise in employment for Short-Term Training candidates -including  a  nine-percentage-point  increase -higher  monthly  incomes  and  strong  satisfaction with  training  quality.  Under  Recognition  of  Prior  Learning,  78%  of  beneficiaries  continued working in their certified trade and reported an average 25% increase in income. These findings guide ongoing refinements in the design and delivery of skill development programmes.

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