On January 1, 2026, President of India Droupadi Murmu inaugurated a set of initiatives under the Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR) programme. This initiative is a crucial element of the Skill India Mission (SIM) and was launched during an event held by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre (RBCC) in New Delhi.
During the event, President Murmu launched the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’ as part of the SOAR initiative. She also inaugurated the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) centre at Rairangpur in Odisha through a virtual ceremony.
The event was graced by notable dignitaries, including Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from the Ministry of Education (MoE) and Union Minister of State (MoS) Jayant Chaudhary, who oversees MSDE.
As part of the SOAR programme, President Murmu conferred AI certificates to both students and MPs who successfully completed various AI learning modules. This initiative is essential for fostering AI literacy and skills among the youth.
The IGNOU Regional & Skill Centre was established to enhance higher education and skill development opportunities, particularly in tribal-dominated areas of northern Odisha. Its primary goal is to improve access to distance education, vocational training, and skill-oriented programs for the youth from rural and underserved areas.
The SkillTheNation Challenge is a nationwide initiative launched under SOAR by the MSDE, aimed at expanding AI awareness and certification throughout India.
The SOAR programme is designed to integrate AI learning into school education and teacher training across India. It targets students from class 6 to 12 and educators, aiming to enhance their understanding of AI and related technologies.
Q1. What is the SOAR programme?
Answer: The SOAR programme stands for Skilling for AI Readiness, an initiative launched by President Droupadi Murmu to enhance AI education and skills in India.
Q2. What is the #SkillTheNation Challenge?
Answer: The #SkillTheNation Challenge is a nationwide initiative aimed at promoting AI skilling among students and professionals to build an inclusive workforce.
Q3. Who can participate in the SOAR programme?
Answer: The SOAR programme targets students from class 6 to 12 and educators, providing them with essential AI learning modules.
Q4. Where was the IGNOU centre inaugurated?
Answer: The IGNOU Regional & Skill Centre was inaugurated in Rairangpur, Odisha, aiming to enhance education and skill development opportunities.
Q5. What are the main goals of the SkillTheNation Challenge?
Answer: The primary goals include expanding AI literacy, fostering innovation, and ensuring that AI skills are accessible to students and professionals across all regions of India.
Question 1: What does SOAR stand for in the context of the initiative launched on January 1, 2026?
A) Skilling for AI Readiness
B) Skill Optimization for AI Resources
C) Strategic Outreach for AI Research
D) Systems of AI Regulation
Correct Answer: A
Question 2: Who launched the #SkillTheNation Challenge?
A) Dharmendra Pradhan
B) Droupadi Murmu
C) Jayant Chaudhary
D) Narendra Modi
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What is the main focus of the SkillTheNation Challenge?
A) To promote traditional skills
B) To build a future-ready workforce in AI
C) To create job opportunities in agriculture
D) To enhance language skills
Correct Answer: B
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