National AI skilling initiative crosses 60000 enrolments in Phase I
Only 552 participants have completed all four modules so far, highlighting the gap between initial enrolment and full completion of the 33-hour programme.
Of the 60,253 participants enrolled so far, 4,620 have completed two of the four modules in Phase I, while only 552 participants have completed all four modules.
NEW DELHI: India’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling initiative has recorded 60,253 applications and enrolments in Phase I, as the government and private-sector partners work to build foundational and industry-relevant AI skills among students.
Of the 60,253 participants enrolled so far, 4,620 have completed two of the four modules in Phase I, while only 552 participants have completed all four modules.
The figures were provided by Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Dr L. Murugan in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Phase I consists of four modules with a combined duration of 33 hours and is delivered through two learning platforms.
The first platform covers AI Essentials and Prompting Essentials. AI Essentials is designed to provide practical skills for improving daily productivity, synthesising data and creating content, while Prompting Essentials focuses on frameworks for writing professional prompts.
The second platform introduces participants to generative AI and its organisational applications.
The Introduction to Generative AI module covers the fundamentals of Large Language Models and responsible AI guidelines. The Generative AI Leader module focuses on workflow automation and the strategic use of generative AI for organisational transformation.
The curriculum has been jointly designed and developed by the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) and private-sector partners, with the objective of providing students with foundational and practical AI skills.
The advanced skilling component is being conducted by IICT and carries joint certification.
The government’s role is focused on providing strategic direction and facilitating implementation through IICT, with the broader objective of improving AI literacy and equipping students with digital skills relevant to industry requirements.
The initiative is therefore structured to move beyond basic awareness of artificial intelligence.
The four-module curriculum begins with practical applications of AI and prompt writing before progressing to generative AI fundamentals and the use of AI for workflow automation and organisational transformation.
This progression reflects the rapidly expanding role of AI in both individual productivity and workplace processes.
At the same time, the completion figures indicate that enrolment and course completion remain at significantly different levels at the current stage of Phase I.
While 60,253 participants have enrolled, 4,620 have completed two modules and only 552 have completed the entire four-module programme.
The government has not yet announced the final curriculum, modules or duration for Phase II, which are currently under finalisation.
The National AI Skilling Initiative brings together government direction, IICT’s advanced skilling capabilities and private-sector participation in curriculum development.
Its immediate focus is AI literacy and foundational skills, but the inclusion of modules on generative AI, responsible AI, workflow automation and organisational transformation indicates an attempt to prepare students for a workplace in which AI tools are increasingly becoming part of everyday professional activity.
The next stage of the programme will depend on the curriculum and structure being finalised for Phase II and on how effectively the initiative can convert its large initial enrolment base into participants who complete the training and acquire certified, industry-relevant AI skills.
