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Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) launched Kaushal Rath under the National AI Literacy programme “Yuva AI for All.”
What are the core objectives and features of the YUVA AI for ALL Initiative?
Launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), this initiative is a first-of-its-kind national program aimed at demystifying AI for the masses.
- Target and Scale: The mission aims to empower 1 crore (10 million) citizens with foundational AI skills, focusing specifically on students, youth, and professionals.
- Course Structure: It offers a 5-hour, self-paced “AI 101” course. The curriculum is modular, covering the basics of AI, its evolution, real-world Indian use cases, and, crucially, AI Ethics.
- Accessibility: The program is 100% free and available on major platforms like FutureSkills Prime, iGOT Karmayogi (for government officials), and TCS iON. It requires zero coding knowledge, making it accessible to learners from all academic backgrounds.
- Recognition: Upon successful completion, learners receive an official Government of India certificate, adding tangible value to their academic and professional profiles.
What is the “Kaushal Rath” and how does it drive last-mile AI literacy?
A major recent development in February 2026 is the flagging off of the Kaushal Rath. This is a mobile AI awareness lab designed to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural India.
- Mobile Classrooms: The Kaushal Rath is a fully equipped bus with internet-enabled systems and audio-visual tools that travels to schools, colleges, and community centers in semi-urban and underserved regions.
- Hands-on Exposure: It provides on-the-spot registrations for the YUVA AI course and offers live demonstrations of Generative AI tools, helping people understand how AI can solve local problems in agriculture, healthcare, and education.
- Strategic Context: The Kaushal Rath serves as a precursor to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, reinforcing India’s commitment to “AI for All” as a pillar of the Global South’s technological growth.
Why is AI Literacy important today?
AI literacy is no longer just a technical skill—it is a tool for Social Empowerment and Economic Competitiveness.
- National Security & Ethics: Understanding AI is essential for identifying deepfakes, countering misinformation, and ensuring “Responsible AI” that respects privacy and reduces bias.
- Economic Transformation: As natural language becomes the “new coding,” AI literacy allows non-engineers to build apps and reports, potentially boosting the productivity of MSMEs and the gig economy.
- Global Leadership: By democratizing AI resources (compute and datasets) through the IndiaAI Mission, India aims to become the “AI Service Provider” for the world, moving up the value chain from back-office outsourcing to high-end innovation.
