Youth skilling and AI in education: Sitharaman targets industry-ready graduates in India

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday that the government will sharpen its push on youth skilling. Nirmala Sitharaman also urged schools and colleges to include artificial intelligence AI in learning. Nirmala Sitharaman was speaking at the Finance Express Leadership Awards 2026 event. Nirmala Sitharaman said these steps are aimed at making young people industry-ready.

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Nirmala Sitharaman said employers often find a mismatch between what industry needs and what graduates can do. Nirmala Sitharaman said industry groups have raised this issue many times. Nirmala Sitharaman said many firms then train new hires for more than six months. Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is working to narrow this gap.

Youth skilling focus to address industry-ready gap

"The government will also be doing quite a lot towards giving skilling importance, bridging that gap of expectation between the entrepreneurs, businesses, industry and the youth who come to the job market,\" she said. Nirmala Sitharaman linked the effort to hiring needs raised by businesses. Nirmala Sitharaman said the aim is to reduce long training periods after recruitment.

Nirmala Sitharaman said the government began skilling measures through the last two budgets. Nirmala Sitharaman said training is being aligned with job roles and workplace demands. Nirmala Sitharaman said the work will continue and expand. Nirmala Sitharaman described it as an ongoing focus for the government in future plans.

\"Now, we want to spend time training youth and giving them the skill sets so that they will be job-ready. Weve already started doing that through the last two budgets. More is to happen. Well keep doing that,\" she said. Nirmala Sitharaman said the intention is to support youth entering the job market. Nirmala Sitharaman said it also supports firms seeking skilled staff.

Artificial intelligence AI in curriculum linked to jobs

Nirmala Sitharaman said artificial intelligence AI should be built into education at several levels. Nirmala Sitharaman said businesses, including micro, small and medium enterprises MSMEs, need AI to raise productivity. Nirmala Sitharaman added that wider AI use will also need trained workers. Nirmala Sitharaman said education must respond to this demand.

\"We also need manpower who will work with AI for us. And thats where I would think our school curriculum, college curriculum, and professional colleges all need that extracurricular input for youth to come out job-ready,\" she said. Nirmala Sitharaman said this support should prepare learners for work settings. Nirmala Sitharaman said it should improve job readiness for AI-linked roles.

Opposition street protests and Parliament debates remarks

Nirmala Sitharaman also spoke about political protests and Parliament functioning. Nirmala Sitharaman said some opposition parties stress street protests more than debate. \"Your statements periodically, meaning Opposition statements periodically, put more importance on street protests rather than debates. It gives a feeling, and thats why I think somebody responded by saying,Do we want to change government? Because that was also one of the things that has been talked about, regime change. All right, regime change happens every five years. It happens through the voting and electoral process,\" she added.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s comments came days after the Opposition’s mock Parliament session. The session was held to impeach the Chief Election Commissioner. Nirmala Sitharaman said Parliament needs healthy debate, not mock versions. Nirmala Sitharaman said such actions risk shifting attention away from legislative discussion.

Without naming the Congress, Nirmala Sitharaman referred to a party with around 100 Lok Sabha members. Nirmala Sitharaman said the party does not stay for debates. Nirmala Sitharaman said it walks out when the government responds. Nirmala Sitharaman said it shouts down speakers and is absent during votes.

\"The illogic and inconsistency with which the Opposition party is being led is questionable to the people of India,\" she said. Nirmala Sitharaman said opposition conduct can send signals of instability. Nirmala Sitharaman added that such messaging can weaken public confidence. Nirmala Sitharaman said this also undermines the people of India.

Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks placed skilling and AI education alongside concerns on political conduct. Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is continuing efforts started in the last two budgets. Nirmala Sitharaman said the aim is job-ready youth and a workforce able to work with AI. Nirmala Sitharaman also repeated that governments change through elections and voting.

With inputs from PTI