World Youth Skills Day 2025: UP inaugurates skill fair, how India is integrating AI into education?

World Youth Skills Day 2025 is being celebrated today across the globe to mark the importance of upskilling youth for work, employment, and entrepreneurship. This day marks the 10th anniversary of WYSD, as the United Nations declared July 15 as the World Youth Skills Day in 2014. The theme of this year’s WYSD 2025 is youth empowerment through AI and digital skills.

Minister of labour and employment Mansukh Mandaviya said, “Skilled youth. Strong nation. On World Youth Skills Day, we salute the passion and power of our Yuva Shakti, the builders of Viksit Bharat. Through initiatives like Skill India and Digital India, the Modi Government is empowering youth to lead India’s digital, green & innovation journey.”

“On World Youth Skills Day, India marks the 10th anniversary of the Skill India Mission, launched with the aim to equip youth with industry-relevant skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihoods. Through several initiatives, such as PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana & the Skill India Digital Hub, the country is moving towards becoming a global skill hub,” said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in a post.

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UP Govt inaugurates skill fair

On the occasion, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated and observed a skill fair organized for trainees associated with AI innovation today in Lucknow at the skill development training centers of all 75 districts.

Various youths were honored with the 'Industry Ambassador Award' as youth icons and new entrepreneurs, and the skill chariot was also flagged off. The UP government also signed an agreement with the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Prayagraj, to promote the integration of smart technology in skill training during the programme.

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“Over the past 8 years, 'New Uttar Pradesh' has revitalized traditional enterprises, paving new paths for the progress and development of the youth. I have full confidence that our youth will contribute their talent and energy to strengthen and empower the state's economy. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the youth power!,” said the CM in a Hindi post.

AI-focused education

In the last one year, several institutes including Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have introduced online and offline courses on artificial intelligence , in line with the increasing demand in the industry.

IIT Madras recently launched five free online courses on AI for students, teachers, and working professionals. The courses are available on the SWAYAM platform.

Additionally, in May this year, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan stressed on the need to connect school students with AI education and urged educationists to prepare AI-embedded textbooks.

Moreover, the All India Council for Technical Education ( AICTE ) chairman TG Sitharaman also talked about the integration of AI in engineering courses. The council has formed a committee for amalgamation of AI into civil, mechanical, and electronics engineering.