Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 August 2026 announced from the ramparts of the Red Fort that the Union government would provide artificial intelligence (AI) skills training to 1 crore young people over the next year, as part of his 80th Independence Day address. The announcement drew an enthusiastic response from students at Delhi University (DU), who called Modi a generational idol for the country's youth.

What Modi Announced

Addressing the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Modi declared that the Centre would equip 1 crore youngsters with AI skills to prepare them for leadership in the global technology landscape. He also announced free online coaching for various competitive examinations, specifically targeting youth from poor and middle-class families, with the stated aim of widening access to opportunity.

How DU Students Responded

Delhi University Students' Union Joint Secretary Deepika Jha said she was firmly behind the initiative. 'Since PM Modi said that he wants to take the country's youth forward by connecting them through AI, then I am definitely standing with him on this,' she said. 'We will together work on this thinking of the Prime Minister and so will the youth across the country,' she added.

A DU student said: 'India's youth consider Prime Minister Modi their idol and brand ambassador, and when Modi Ji speaks or says something, not just the youth of India but young people across the world listen to and understand him.' The student also noted that Modi is himself 'tech-friendly' and that the announcement reflects his recognition that the world has already entered the AI era.

The Viksit Bharat Connection

Another DU student framed the announcement within Modi's broader Viksit Bharat by 2047 vision. 'What Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said about the youth reflects his leadership from the very beginning — that if we want to build a Developed India by 2047, as he has resolved, it will succeed only when the youth of the country participate wholeheartedly,' the student said.

A third student pointed to the Centre's track record on skill development, noting that similar programmes have been launched before, while welcoming the addition of free coaching for competitive exams. The student also cited support for start-ups as evidence of the government's sustained focus on youth entrepreneurship.

Broader Context

The AI training pledge is among the more technology-forward announcements made from the Red Fort in recent years. India has been ramping up its AI policy framework, and a commitment to train 1 crore youth in a single year would rank among the largest government-backed AI skilling drives globally. The free coaching component, if implemented at scale, would directly benefit aspirants preparing for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), state civil services, and banking examinations — segments where private coaching costs remain prohibitive for many families.

How the programme is operationalised — including delivery partners, curriculum standards, and outcome verification — will determine whether this announcement translates into measurable impact.