PM Modi Announces AI Training for 1 Crore Youth to Lead Global AI Leadership

We will train 1 crore youth in AI skills over next year: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to India's recent AI Summit, announced a major initiative aimed at expanding AI skills among the country's youth. He also said that India has witnessed a significant rise in entrepreneurship, with more than 2.5 lakh startups operating across the country and young entrepreneurs contributing to employment generation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, while addressing the nation on the 80th Independence Day from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort, said the government will work to provide artificial intelligence (AI) skill training to one crore youth over the next year, enabling them to acquire the capabilities required to lead the world in the field of AI. Highlighting the role of young people in India's journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat, PM Modi said, "My dear fellow citizens, when I speak of a Viksit Bharat, when I speak of advancing the nation at high speed, who is the greatest beneficiary of this? Who is the greatest driving force behind all these efforts? If there is a driving force, it is the youth of my country. It is the power of my nation's youth. The youth have an immense role to play in the journey towards a Viskit Bharat." He said India has witnessed a significant rise in entrepreneurship, with more than 2.5 lakh startups operating across the country and young entrepreneurs contributing to employment generation. "There are more than 2.5 lakh startups. Youths are working towards this and also creating jobs. The government has announced a Rs 1 lakh crore fund, I want to say to them, come with the dream, we will not let you feel lack of any resources." Highlighting India's digital growth, PM Modi said, "India has the cheapest internet." He also underlined the expansion of higher education infrastructure in the country. "I want to give you data from 2004 to 2014, there were less than 350 universities. Today, we have 650 new universities. We are almost crossing 1,000," he said. Emphasising the government's efforts to encourage young people to pursue technology and innovation, he said, "We have been working continuously so that youths would be attracted towards technology. We are working in this direction." Referring to India's recent AI Summit, PM Modi announced a major initiative aimed at expanding AI skills among the country's youth. "We recently held an AI Summit. Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I wish to make an announcement for the youth of the country: We have resolved that in the coming one year, we will work to provide AI skill training to 1 crore youth, so that the youth of our nation possess the capability to lead the world in the domain of AI as well," he said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi paid floral tributes to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, at Rajghat before arriving at the Red Fort for the Independence Day celebrations. This Independence Day also witnessed the National Song, 'Vande Mataram', being played at the Red Fort for the first time since Independence.

PM Modi Unveils Plan to Train 1 Crore Youth in AI Within a Year

Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a series of initiatives and ambitious targets spanning artificial intelligence (AI), education, sports, civil defence, semiconductor manufacturing, nuclear energy and women-led development. * Make Telecom Talk My Trusted Source Some key announcements from the Prime Minister's address include: 1. AI Skilling for One Crore Youth: The Prime Minister announced that one crore youth would be trained in AI skills over the next one year. Referring to the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence, he said the initiative would help equip India's youth with the capability to lead in the world of AI, according to an official release issued by the Prime Minister's Office on August 15, 2026. 2. Free Online Coaching for Various Examinations: The Prime Minister announced free online coaching for youth preparing for various examinations. Referring to the financial burden of coaching classes on poor and middle-class families, he said Digital Public Infrastructure, available talent and teachers would be brought together to create a complete network for providing free coaching to the country's youth. 3. More Semiconductor Plants to Strengthen Self-Reliance: The Prime Minister highlighted the critical role of semiconductor chips in the digital and technological world and said India was moving towards self-reliance in this sector. He said three semiconductor plants had already started and production from these facilities had begun to be exported. The Prime Minister further said that another five-seven or eight semiconductor plants would come up in the coming seven-eight years, and described self-reliance in semiconductors as a pathway towards Viksit Bharat.

PM Modi Independence Day 2026 announcements: AI training for 1 crore youth, free coaching, 7 new semiconductor plants & more

Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced a series of transformative initiatives aimed at shaping India's future growth. He pledged that one crore youth will receive AI skill training in the coming year. Additionally, free online coaching will be available for students preparing for various exams. Plans include a revamped Civil Defence network and a nationwide initiative to discover sports talent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a series of measures focused on youth skills, education, sports, civil defence, semiconductors and nuclear energy in his Independence Day 2026 speech from the Red Fort on Saturday. The key announcements include AI skill training for 1 crore youth over the next year, free online coaching for examination aspirants, a modernised Civil Defence network, a nationwide sports talent hunt, 7-8 new semiconductor production plants and a 100 GW nuclear energy target by 2047. The announcements came as Modi emphasises on his vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and called for faster progress across sectors. India@79: Track all Independence Day live updates AI training for 1 crore youthModi announced a nationwide mission to provide AI skill training to 1 crore youth over the next year. You Might Also Like: Independence Day 2026: PM Modi announces free online coaching for competitive exams "My dear fellow citizens, when I speak of a Viksit Bharat, when I speak of advancing the nation at high speed -- who is the greatest beneficiary of this? Who is the greatest driving force behind all these efforts? If there is a driving force, it is the youth of my country. It is the power of my nation's youth. The youth have an immense role to play in the journey toward a Viskit Bharat... Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I wish to make an announcement for the youth of the country: We have resolved that in the coming one year, we will work to provide AI skill training to 1 crore youth, so that the youth of our nation possess the capability to lead the world in the domain of AI as well," Modi said. Free online coaching for exam aspirantsModi also announced free online coaching for students preparing for various examinations, saying the cost of coaching has become a burden for poor and middle-class families. "Coaching classes burden on poor, middle class; we will provide free online coaching for various exams," Modi said. Modern Civil Defence networkThe Prime Minister also announced plans to establish a vibrant Civil Defence network with modern training and capabilities to deal with evolving security threats and contemporary crises. You Might Also Like: PM Modi Independence Day 2026 Speech Highlights: Prime Minister sets 2047 target, pitches self-reliance and faster growth "I announce today from the Red Fort that we will establish a vibrant Civil Defence network in the coming days. We will familiarize them with modern systems. What measures can be put in place to protect citizens from modern-day crises? We are going to create a massive, modern Civil Defence volunteer force capable of overcoming contemporary challenges," Modi said. Also Read: PM Modi calls for 'vibrant civil defence' network to tackle modern challenges Nationwide sports talent hunt for childrenModi also announced a nationwide sports talent identification campaign targeting children aged 5 to 15 years across villages and cities. The initiative is aimed at identifying sporting talent at an early age and creating a wider pipeline of athletes from across the country. 7-8 semiconductor plants in 1-2 yearsSemiconductor manufacturing was another major focus of Modi's Independence Day announcements. The Prime Minister said 7-8 new semiconductor production plants are expected to become operational within the next one to two years, strengthening India's domestic chip manufacturing capabilities. Modi has repeatedly linked semiconductor manufacturing with India's push for self-reliance and reducing dependence on other countries for critical technologies. "India has set up semi-conductor plants in its bid to become 'aatmanirbhar'; production has started already," Modi said. Nuclear energy target of 100 GW by 2047Modi also announced a long-term nuclear energy target, with India aiming to reach 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047. He said five new nuclear reactors are expected to become operational within the next six to seven years. "We have set target of 200 GW nuclear energy; setting up 5 new nuclear reactors," Modi said. The nuclear energy push comes as India seeks to expand its domestic energy capacity while increasing the share of cleaner sources in its energy mix. Youth at centre of Viksit Bharat visionThe announcements on AI skills, free coaching and sports came alongside Modi's broader emphasis on India's young population. "The youth have a big role in the journey to become a Viksit Bharat. The biggest beneficiaries of Viksit Bharat will be the youth of the country," Modi said. Modi also invoked 'Shakti Ki Saptadhara', identifying seven areas that he said would provide a new current of strength to India's development: manufacturing, agriculture and food production, technology and innovation, Gati Shakti, defence, the green and blue economy, and soft power. The Prime Minister said India must use these seven strengths to achieve in the next five to seven years what could not be achieved in the previous five to seven decades.