The Government of India continues to advance its Digital India vision by enhancing the nation’s digital capabilities through targeted initiatives designed to create IT-based career opportunities for citizens, especially in smaller towns and cities. A cornerstone of this effort is the FutureSkills PRIME programme, developed collaboratively by NASSCOM and the Government of India to meet the rising demand for skilled professionals in emerging technology sectors.
Comprehensive Learning Platform
FutureSkills PRIME provides learners with access to a wide array of educational resources, including over 500 courses and more than 2,000 digital fluency pathways, allowing individuals to design personalised learning journeys. As of November 2025, approximately 15.78 million candidates have benefitted from the programme. Remarkably, 41 percent of participants are women, while nearly 85 percent of learners hail from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, reflecting the programme’s broad outreach and inclusivity. The steady increase in enrolments demonstrates the growing interest in digital skill development across India’s diverse population.
Complementary Centres of Excellence in AI
To further strengthen digital skills and innovation, the Government has established Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI-CoEs), focusing on priority sectors such as Health Care, Sustainable Cities, and Agriculture. These AI-CoEs operate in collaboration with some of India’s leading academic and research institutions, including IISc Bangalore, IIT Kanpur, and IIT Ropar.
The AI-CoEs drive projects that directly impact citizens’ lives. For instance, in Delhi, an AI-based clean-air monitoring system is being developed, while in Surat, traffic flood prediction systems aim to improve urban planning and safety. Kanpur is benefitting from digitally integrated municipal services, enhancing city management efficiency.
In agriculture, AI-driven innovations are transforming productivity with automatic weather stations, pest identification technologies, and AgriLLM language models, which provide data-driven insights to optimize farm practices and increase yields.
Impact and Vision
Through FutureSkills PRIME and AI-CoEs, the Government of India is building a robust digital talent pipeline, bridging the skill gap, and fostering technology-driven solutions across sectors. These initiatives are empowering citizens, particularly from smaller towns and cities, with advanced skills that are critical for India’s evolving digital economy, while simultaneously driving innovation that addresses real-world challenges.
Summary:
FutureSkills PRIME has benefitted over 15.78 lakh learners, with 41% women participants and 85% from tier 2 and 3 cities. The programme offers 500+ courses and 2,000+ digital pathways, enhancing employability in emerging technologies. Complementary AI Centres of Excellence in Health, Sustainable Cities, and Agriculture are enabling practical, AI-driven solutions, strengthening India’s digital workforce and fostering nationwide technological innovation.
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