New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) The renowned technology leader, Microsoft, is set to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour and Employment to deploy AI-driven chatbots that will assist workers in navigating essential governmental employment services, as announced on Wednesday.

A pivotal aspect of this collaboration is Microsoft’s goal to onboard over 15,000 employers and partners from its vast international network onto the Ministry’s National Career Service (NCS) platform.

This partnership marks a significant advancement in improving employment connections, enhancing AI-based skill development, and equipping India’s workforce for global opportunities.

This initiative will substantially expand formal job access, bolster high-growth industries, and enable India to cultivate a skilled workforce that meets both domestic and international demands, thereby enhancing pathways for the global mobility of Indian youth and professionals.

The e-Shram portal, which was launched in August 2021 after millions of informal workers faced job losses during the Covid lockdowns, is powered by Microsoft Azure. The system is capable of processing up to 172,000 transactions per second and has previously handled as many as 8 million registrations in a single day, as reported by the company.

With the introduction of AI chatbots, both the government and Microsoft are optimistic that workers will find it simpler to access welfare programs, enhance their employability, and discover improved job openings.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will also broaden AI-centric skill enhancement initiatives through DigiSaksham, equipping millions of young individuals with necessary skills in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and productivity technologies. These initiatives will aid in developing a workforce that meets international standards and addresses emerging industry requirements.

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya expressed his support for the partnership, stating that it embodies a shared vision to utilize India’s advantageous demographic dividend and forge a globally competitive, digitally proficient, and future-ready workforce.

He highlighted that Microsoft’s involvement will hasten job accessibility, deepen skill training, and elevate India’s position in global labor mobility.

“India has reached a historic milestone in social protection, with coverage increasing from 19% in 2015 to a remarkable 64.3% in 2025, positively impacting over 940 million citizens. By integrating AI into platforms such as e-Shram and the National Career Service, we are reinforcing social security and progressing towards our aim of providing social protection to 100 crore citizens by March 2026,” Dr. Mandaviya further stated.

Nadella acknowledged India’s impressive growth in social protection coverage, noting the current 64.3% coverage benefiting 940 million individuals.

He specifically commended the e-Shram initiative for integrating millions of unorganized workers into the social support framework and enhancing India’s ability to craft worker-centric policies based on real-time data.