Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu launches deep-tech skilling drive for 10 lakh learners
Synopsis
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced a deep-tech skilling drive targeting 10 lakh learners over five years, backed by IBM SkillsBuild and anchored by a new NIELIT Innovation Centre in Guntur — the most concrete human capital push yet under the state's Quantum Valley ambition.
Key Takeaways
Chandrababu Naidu announced the deep-tech skilling initiative on 11 May 2025 , National Technology Day.
The programme targets 2 lakh learners in 2026–27 and 10 lakh learners over five years.
Partners include IBM SkillsBuild , APSCHE , APSSDC , and Amaravati Quantum Valley .
A NIELIT Innovation and Skilling Centre at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur will focus on Quantum Computing, AI, Quantum Communication, and Semiconductors.
Andhra Pradesh students won 4 Gold Medals and 14 Silver Medals in NPTEL national examinations.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday, 11 May announced a large-scale statewide deep-tech skilling initiative, partnering with IBM SkillsBuild, the Andhra Pradesh State Council for Higher Education (APSCHE), the Andhra State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC), and Amaravati Quantum Valley. The programme aims to reach 2 lakh learners in 2026–27 and scale to 10 lakh learners over five years, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a national hub for emerging technology education.
What the Initiative Covers
The skilling drive spans five domains: Quantum Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship. Training will be delivered through digital learning platforms, industry-linked modules, and globally recognised credentials, according to Chief Minister Naidu. The multi-partner structure is designed to ensure both scale and quality, linking academic institutions with industry standards from day one.
NIELIT Innovation Centre at Acharya Nagarjuna University
A key pillar of the initiative is the proposed NIELIT Innovation and Skilling Centre at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur. The centre will focus on Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Communication, and Semiconductor technologies. Naidu said the facility is planned to begin operations from the current academic year itself, offering students, researchers, and innovators access to world-class infrastructure and advanced laboratories.
National Technology Day and Student Achievements
The announcement was made on National Technology Day, which commemorates India's Pokhran nuclear tests. Naidu used the occasion to highlight the state's academic momentum, noting that Andhra Pradesh students secured 4 Gold Medals and 14 Silver Medals in the prestigious NPTEL national examinations. He urged students across the state to participate in advanced learning platforms, emerging technology programmes, and national-level competitions as part of the broader Quantum Valley vision.
The Bigger Picture
This initiative comes amid intensifying competition among Indian states to build future-ready technology workforces. Andhra Pradesh's Amaravati Quantum Valley project has been positioned as a long-term bet on deep-tech infrastructure, and Monday's announcement adds a structured human capital layer to that ambition. Notably, the IBM SkillsBuild partnership brings globally benchmarked credentials, which could improve employability outcomes beyond state borders. With 10 lakh learners targeted over five years, the programme's execution — particularly the speed of the NIELIT centre's launch — will be closely watched by industry and academia alike.
Point of View
But the real test lies in execution quality rather than enrolment numbers. India's skilling ecosystem has a well-documented gap between certificates issued and jobs secured — a pattern that IBM's globally recognised credentials could help address, but only if industry absorption is built into the design from the start. The NIELIT centre at Guntur is the initiative's most tangible anchor; how quickly it becomes operational will signal whether this is a policy statement or a live programme. Andhra Pradesh is making a credible structural bet on deep tech, but the Quantum Valley vision needs verifiable placement outcomes, not just learner counts, to distinguish itself from the many state skilling schemes that have plateaued at headline numbers.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Andhra Pradesh deep-tech skilling initiative announced by CM Naidu?
It is a statewide programme launched on 11 May 2025 in partnership with IBM SkillsBuild, APSCHE, APSSDC, and Amaravati Quantum Valley, targeting 2 lakh learners in 2026–27 and 10 lakh over five years. It covers Quantum Technologies, AI, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Entrepreneurship.
What is the NIELIT Innovation and Skilling Centre in Guntur?
It is a proposed centre at Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, focused on Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Communication, and Semiconductor technologies. It is planned to begin operations from the current academic year.
Why was the initiative announced on National Technology Day?
National Technology Day, observed on 11 May, commemorates India's Pokhran nuclear tests and celebrates scientific and technological achievements. CM Naidu used the occasion to align the skilling push with the spirit of national innovation and to honour Andhra Pradesh students who won medals in NPTEL examinations.
Who are the key partners in the deep-tech skilling initiative?
The initiative brings together IBM SkillsBuild for globally recognised credentials, APSCHE and APSSDC for institutional and skill development support, and Amaravati Quantum Valley as the overarching ecosystem anchor.
How many medals did Andhra Pradesh students win in NPTEL exams?
Andhra Pradesh students secured 4 Gold Medals and 14 Silver Medals in the prestigious NPTEL national examinations, as highlighted by CM Naidu on National Technology Day.
