India stands at the cusp of an artificial intelligence revolution. With the AI market projected to reach $17 billion by 2027, the country is poised to become a global hub for innovation, automation, and intelligent technologies. But behind the excitement lies a troubling paradox: while the demand for AI talent is soaring, the supply of job-ready professionals is struggling to keep pace.

In a bid to address the growing gap between academic learning and industry demands in artificial intelligence (AI), a new initiative called Mission AI-Saksham has been launched to provide free AI certification programs to students across Indian colleges and universities. The program aims to equip students from diverse academic backgrounds engineering, management, arts, commerce, and more—with essential, job-ready AI skills.

India, despite its vast youth population and expanding higher education infrastructure, continues to face a significant shortfall in AI-ready professionals. Industry projections suggest that while the AI sector may generate over 2.3 million jobs by 2027, the country is on track to produce just 1.2 million qualified candidates—highlighting an urgent need for focused upskilling.

Mission AI-Saksham seeks to fill this gap by partnering with academic institutions to deliver certification programs aligned with current industry expectations. These will be offered through a mix of workshops, modular training, and community learning initiatives, aiming to prepare students for the evolving landscape of AI-driven employment.

The program’s vision is not only to foster digital preparedness but also to encourage a more inclusive and accessible approach to AI education—bridging the divide between campus learning and workplace relevance.

What Mission AI-Saksham Brings to the Table

The program takes a collaborative approach by partnering directly with academic institutions across the country. Instead of offering standalone online courses, the initiative works with colleges to embed AI learning into the student experience—through:

• Workshops and bootcamps

• Integrated course modules

• Hands-on project assignments

• Peer-led learning communities

The goal is not just to teach theory, but to build a culture of AI experimentation and confidence within the student community. Learners are given access to real-world case studies and tools used by professionals in the field.

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