Microsoft’s AI focused micro degrees are beginning to reshape vocational training in India. As demand for AI skills grows worldwide, these specialised programmes in National Skill Training Institutes are attracting students who earlier believed that a technology career was beyond their reach.
One such student is nineteen year old Satyendra Kumar from Sitamarhi in Bihar. He excelled in academics and cricket and topped his Navodaya school, hoping to study abroad. When those plans did not work out, he joined a one year micro degree in AI Programming Assistant at NSTI Chennai. The programme is delivered by Microsoft and the Directorate General of Training. The course helped him regain confidence and explore new opportunities. He is now studying data science at IIT Madras and has started EdgeSphere Sports Intelligence, a startup that uses AI to identify sports talent in small towns.
Microsoft has committed to train ten million Indians by 2030. The company says it has already trained more than five point six million people since January 2025. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, says partnerships with the government are helping build a strong foundation for an AI ready workforce. “By combining India’s scale of talent with its strong digital foundation and by partnering with the Government of India, MSDE, and DGT, we are embedding AI learning into vocational institutions and communities nationwide,” says Chandok.
India’s market for AI skills is expanding at a rapid pace. Yet only a small share of young people have formal vocational or technical training. To close this gap, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is integrating AI, data and cloud learning into more than fifteen thousand training institutes across the country. This effort supports India’s goal of strengthening its position as a global hub for AI talent.
According to Microsoft, NSTI Bengaluru’s AI courses are drawing many first generation learners, especially young women. NSTI Indore has recorded almost ninety percent placements. Institutes such as Calicut are receiving more applications than they can accept. Learners like Elaine Kiruba and Florence Kiki are using AI tools to study, teach, build applications and find real work opportunities.
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