President Murmu Launches ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’ to Empower India with AI Readiness

Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, announced the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’, urging citizens, policymakers, educators, professionals and youth to actively participate in India’s AI learning movement by enrolling in the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) course on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). She called the initiative a significant step towards equipping the nation with future-ready capabilities in Artificial Intelligence and advancing India’s journey towards a technologically empowered and inclusive society.

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship’s flagship programme SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness, launched in July 2025, enables accessible AI learning for all through structured micro-credential courses.

SOAR is designed to make AI simple, ethical, responsible and aspirational. Over six months, more than 1.59 lakh learners across India have enrolled, with thousands completing certifications.

15 Members of Parliament who have completed the SOAR AI course module

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, has successfully completed the SOAR ‘AI to be Aware’ module. He nominated Shri Nara Lokesh Rao, Shri Gaurav Dwivedi, and Mr. Nitin Narang to take up the challenge, creating a cascading national movement.

Commenting on the occasion, Hon’ble Minister Shri Jayant Chaudhary said:

India’s future workforce must not only be digitally aware but AI confident. Through the ‘#SkillTheNation Challenge’, we want to inspire every citizen to embrace learning and prepare for an AI-enabled future. SOAR is not just a skilling programme; it is a national mission to build confidence, capability and curiosity in AI, ensuring that every learner — wherever they are — has the opportunity to benefit from this technology and contribute to the nation’s growth story. 

He further added:
“India’s future workforce must not only be digitally aware but AI confident. I am glad to have personally completed the SOAR AI learning module, and it has further strengthened my belief that learning must begin from leadership itself. It gives me great satisfaction to nominate my fellow colleagues to join this movement, so together we can inspire every citizen to embrace AI learning and prepare for an empowered, future-ready India.”

A group of 17 select students from PM SHRI Schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh received AI course certificates from the President of India.

15 Members of Parliament have completed the SOAR AI course module, reflecting strong leadership commitment towards AI readiness.

S. No.	Name of MP	House (Lok Sabha / Rajya Sabha)
1	Shri Chandan Singh Chauhan	Lok Sabha
2	Ms. Swati Maliwal	Rajya Sabha
3	Shri Ummendaram Ram Beniwal	Lok Sabha
4	Shri Narayan K Bhandage	Rajya Sabha
5	Ms. Kamal Jeet Sehrawat	Lok Sabha
6	Ms. Manju Sharma	Lok Sabha
7	Ms. Shobhanaben Baraiya	Lok Sabha
8	Shri G. M. Harish Balayogi	Lok Sabha
9	Ms. Sangeeta Yadav	Rajya Sabha
10	Ms. Fauzia Khan	Rajya Sabha
11	Shri P. V. Abdul Wahab	Rajya Sabha
12	Shri Sujeet Kumar	Rajya Sabha
13	Ms. Bijuli Kalita Medhi	Lok Sabha
14	Shri Haris Beeran	Rajya Sabha
15	Shri P. P. Chaudhary	Lok Sabha

President of India Droupadi Murmu is an inspiration for all of us”- Women Gamers said at Skyesports Grand Slam 2023

Skyesports organised the first event all-female Valorant LAN event in India

The visit by the President highlights the government’s commitment to bolster the promotion of female empowerment in Sports and Esports

The Honorable President of India, Droupadi Murmu presence at the India Gaming Show (IGS) during the country’s first-ever all-female Valorant event organized by Skyesports recently has created a long-lasting impact on the female gaming community.

Skyesports, one of the leading Esports tournament organizers in India, had orchestrated the all-female Windows 11 Skyesports Grand Slam, powered by AMD, featuring the top 3 all-women teams from India competing for glory. The event happened at the JetSynthesys Gaming Arena in the IGS.

The Hon’ble President discussed the scope of women empowerment in the gaming industry whilst also understanding the ways and means to develop the sector in a more inclusive manner with Mr. Rajan Navani, the Founder and CEO, JetSynthesys and also Mr. Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO, Skyesports.

Commenting on the unique opportunity, Shiva Nandy, Founder and CEO, Skyesports said, “It was really exciting to meet our Hon’ble President Shrimati Droupadi Murmu at the India Gaming Show 2023. The Indian gaming and esports industry is in its golden age currently with huge growth opportunities in store. Skyesports has always aimed at ensuring gender parity in the Esports industry by organizing all-female tournaments and I am grateful for this chance to showcase what we’ve built as it motivates us to push harder and contribute to developing India’s gaming and esports industry in a much more inclusive manner. While India is slowly becoming a big player in the global games and tech market, we will be here to support that growth trajectory and put the country on the world map.”

The Honorable President of India, Droupadi Murmu presence at the India Gaming Show (IGS) 2023

Addressing the recently held IGS 2023, Rajan Navani, Chairman and MD, JetSynthesys said, “The Hon. Droupadi Murmu's inspiring presence at the CII's Indian Gaming Show 2023 was a reminder of the immense potential of India's gaming and esports industry. The show highlighted the brilliant minds driving this revolution and the enthusiasm of the millions of gamers in India. Skyesports has revolutionised the gaming industry with the Windows 11 Grand Slam receiving an overwhelming 5 million views across two days. Remarkably, female gamers have made their mark in gaming and esports, bringing in a new level of enthusiasm and excitement to the Indian gaming community.”

According to a report ‘Gaming: Tomorrow’s Blockbuster’ by TeamLease Digital, the Indian gaming industry is estimated to grow by 20% to 30% by 2023 and create approximately two lakh jobs by 2024.

The interactions with the president of the country was equally an opportunity to remember for the gaming girls who are now motivated to make a mark for themselves not only in gaming but in life too.

“I feel really great,” said Grace Esports’ Meow16k after becoming the Champion of the tournament as well as getting an opportunity to showcase her skill in front of the Hon’ble President; “first of all, this is the first all-female VALORANT LAN. Thanks to Skyesports for organizing such a great event and bringing a chance for us to play on stage. And yes I am feeling fabulous, first LAN and it's in our pocket.”

By regularly organizing women-only Esports tournaments as well as cross-regional competitions across various titles, Skyesports aims to provide a strong platform for budding athletes, especially women talents and also aims to capitalize on the ever-growing Esports industry by becoming a pioneer in the industry.

The Tournament was an initiative by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and supported by the Government of India.

About Skyesports - Skyesports is a leading esports and gaming venture based in Chennai, renowned for hosting major esports tournaments. Founded in November 2018 by Shiva Nandy, Skyesports has quickly grown to become one of the largest esports companies in South Asia. They have has an impressive range of original IPs, which include the Skyesports Championship, Skyesports League, Skyesports Grand Slam, Skyesports Skirmish Series, and more, through which Skyesports has touched millions of gamers across South Asia and beyond. Skyesports is a part of the digital entertainment and technology company, JetSynthesys.