Government launches free course on AI for citizens; aims to empower 10 million with basic AI skills

The government has launched a free national course ‘YUVA AI for ALL’ for citizens, especially youth to impart knowledge and basic understanding about Artificial Intelligence. The objective of the initiative is to empower 10 million citizens with foundational AI skills.

The free national course, introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the “India AI Mission” is a 4.5 hours self-paced programme, designed to make students, professionals, and other learners comfortable with the basics of AI.

“The course is available for free on leading learning platforms - FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi, and other popular ed-tech portals. Every learner who completes the course will get an official certificate from the Government of India,” according to the official press release.

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Free AI course based on real-life Indian examples

The ‘YUVA AI for ALL’ free online course can be accessed through futureskillsprime.in. It is designed by Jaspreet Bindra, founder of AI and Beyond and Tech Whisperer LtD. The course blends global knowledge with India’s context and focuses on ethical, responsible, and inclusive AI use.

The course is designed to educate citizens about “how AI is transforming the world.” The short programme is simple, practical, and filled with real-life Indian examples to make learning relatable and fun, the press release reads.

Moreover, the government has also urged organisations, schools, and higher educational institutions to partner with IndiaAI to easily educate the youth about the course.

“Partners can integrate the course, promote it to learners, and co-brand certificates,” it said.

The national course is free and open to everyone. It also allows learning at flexible timings, anytime, anywhere. Learners can earn a government of India certificate and gain skills to make ‘future ready’, the statement said.