The (MSDE) Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Microsoft have partnered through an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) to launch ‘AI Careers for Women,’ a skilling initiative to empower women in higher education for AI (artificial intelligence) careers. 

This collaboration aims to bridge the gender gap in tech, equip women with relevant AI skills, and enable their participation in India’s digital economy and innovation.

This MSDE-Microsoft partnership will provide women with 240 hours of AI skills training, aligned with industry standards and NCVET. The training involves state higher education departments, delivered via a hub-and-spoke model across 30 Hubs and 150 Spokes (Tier-II/III towns in 6 states).

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSDE and Ministry of Education said, “This initiative exemplifies how government and industry can come together to shape an inclusive and future-ready workforce. Our partnership with Microsoft underlines the Ministry’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women in emerging tech fields like AI. By embedding this program within credit-linked university curricula and aligning it with the National Education Policy (NEP), we’re reimagining 21st-century learning, making it flexible, interdisciplinary, and deeply rooted in industry needs. Empowering young women with in-demand digital skills will not only transform individual careers but also accelerate the nation’s journey toward a more equitable and innovation-driven economy.”

Edunet Foundation will implement ‘AI Careers for Women,’ collaborating with academic, government, corporate, and industry partners to create ecosystem change and provide AI skills and economic opportunities for women. This will boost their workforce participation.

The program will establish 30 AI Centres of Excellence in women’s institutions (hub centres) across 6 states in India and support 150 spoke centres in Tier-II and Tier-III towns. It will offer in-depth AI training with hands-on experience to equip 20,000 learners with industry-relevant skills and project experience through expert training, certifications, internships, career guidance, and job opportunities in AI.

Source: https://indiatechnologynews.in/ministry-of-skill-development-and-entrepreneurship-msde-and-microsoft-comes-together-launch-ai-careers-for-women-by-establishing-centers-of-excellence-in-women-colleges-across-six/