THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, JANUARY 13, 2026
Marking
National Youth Day on January 12, 2026, the Government of India underscored its
commitment to building future-ready human capital by spotlighting the National
AI Literacy Program and its flagship initiative, YUVA AI for All — a
transformative step towards democratising access to artificial intelligence
knowledge across the country. Rooted in Swami Vivekananda’s vision of
enlightened and empowered youth, the programme seeks to equip India’s young
population with the skills, awareness and responsibility needed to thrive in an
AI-driven economy.
The National
AI Literacy Program was formally launched at the Rajasthan Regional AI Impact
Summit in Jaipur on January 6, 2026, by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal
Sharma, Union Minister for Electronics & IT, Railways and Information &
Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Minister of State for Electronics & IT
and Commerce & Industry Jitin Prasada. The initiative aligns closely with
the Government’s broader vision of a Viksit Bharat, the expansion of Digital
Public Infrastructure, and India’s emphasis on inclusive, ethical and
responsible adoption of artificial intelligence.
At the heart
of this initiative lies the YUVA AI for All course, designed to position AI
literacy as a core life skill for India’s youth. With a concise duration of
just over four hours, the course serves as an accessible entry point into the
world of AI, requiring no prior technical background. Its curriculum introduces
learners to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, the technology that
powers it, practical applications for learning and creativity, ethical
considerations, and the evolving future of AI — making it equally relevant for
students, job seekers, entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Highlighting
the economic significance of widespread AI awareness, Ashwini Vaishnaw
emphasized that AI literacy can be a catalyst for productivity and growth,
especially for small-scale enterprises. He noted that empowering citizens,
particularly the youth, with a foundational understanding of AI will enable them
to use the technology responsibly in everyday life and work. The Government, he
added, aims to mobilise nearly 10 lakh learners under the National AI Literacy
Program over the next year, turning AI education into a nationwide movement.
To ensure inclusivity
and scale, the YUVA AI for All course is being offered free of cost in 11
Indian languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam,
Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. The course is hosted on leading
digital learning platforms including FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi and
DIKSHA, alongside other popular ed-tech portals. Upon successful completion,
learners receive an official Government of India certificate, enhancing both
employability and professional credibility.
More than a
symbolic initiative, YUVA AI for All is envisioned as the foundation of a
sustained and scalable AI literacy ecosystem. Through coordinated efforts
across ministries, state governments, educational institutions, industry and
digital platforms, the programme aims to empower citizens, foster responsible
innovation and reinforce India’s leadership in leveraging AI for public good.
As India positions itself at the forefront of the global digital economy, YUVA
AI for All represents a strategic investment in human capital — preparing the
nation’s youth not just to participate in the AI revolution, but to shape it.
