UP Bolsters AI Skilling of Youth for Global Market Readiness

Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, has a significant demographic advantage with 65% of its population under 30 and 55% under 25. This youth bulge offers a golden opportunity for the next 2-3 decades. To tap this potential, the Yogi government is focused on equipping the youth with quality, interest-based training, turning them into a skilled and productive force for the domestic and global markets.

The aim is to enhance the value and quality of their labor, with training spanning advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to traditional sectors like agriculture. This training will be imparted through premier educational institutions with support from leading industrial houses. Where required, select candidates will also be sent abroad for specialized training.

The Yogi Adityanath government envisions making UP a global manufacturing hub, driven by its skilled youth. World Bank President Ajay Banga recently echoed this vision during his visit to UP, where he acknowledged the state’s exceptional potential in the manufacturing sector.

In collaboration with Tata, the UP government has upgraded 149 government industrial training institutes (ITIs), with MoUs in progress for 60 more. The initiative is now being extended to government polytechnics. Under the ‘AI Pragya’ initiative, the target is to skill a million youth. A State Institutional Framework has been launched to enhance the quality of polytechnic education, with 45 colleges selected in the first phase for modernization.

These institutions will be equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and offer contemporary courses such as AI, Data Science, and Robotics. In line with evolving market demands, selected young people will be trained in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and data analytics.

Concurrently, under the UP AGREES scheme, launched in partnership with the World Bank to revitalize agriculture in Bundelkhand and Eastern UP, a million farmers will be trained to boost productivity. Additionally, 500 farmers will be sent abroad for advanced training.

To ensure effective implementation through convergence, departments like Agriculture, Education, Health, Rural Development, Revenue, and Secretariat Administration have been integrated into the program. The government is also focused on enhancing the traditional skills of youth from all backgrounds through targeted initiatives, such as the Skill Development Mission, Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, and Swarojgar Sangam.

According to government data, 2.5 million youth have been trained under ITI and Skill Development programs, with over a million having gained employment. Over 368,000 individuals have benefited from the Vishwakarma Shram Samman Yojana, which also provides trained artisans with modern toolkits. Similarly, more than 22,000 youth have been trained under the Swarojgar Sangam Yojana.

With UP leading the nation in MSME units – housing 9.6 million enterprises – there is a continuous demand for skilled manpower. As the state attracts significant investments due to its investor-friendly policies, the demand for trained young people is expected to grow. In response, the government is aligning skill development initiatives with regional needs and industry-specific requirements to prepare a future-ready workforce.

The Yogi Adityanath government’s comprehensive approach to skill development is not only transforming the lives of young people in UP but also positioning the state as a key player in the global market.