President Murmu launches #SkillTheNation AI Challenge; opens IGNOU centre at Rairangpur virtually
On 1 January 2026 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, President Droupadi Murmu launched the #SkillTheNation Challenge under MSDE's SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative and virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha.
Summary
On 1 January 2026 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi, President Droupadi Murmu launched the #SkillTheNation Challenge under SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness), an initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), urging citizens to enrol in the SOAR course on the Skill India Digital Hub. Murmu also virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha, and said that for a young nation like India, AI is not just a technology but a tremendous opportunity for positive change. SOAR was launched in July 2025; 15 Members of Parliament have completed its AI module, and MoS Jayant Chaudhary completed the 'AI to be Aware' module and nominated three others.
Key facts
- Date / venue
- 1 January 2026, Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre
- Launched
- #SkillTheNation Challenge under SOAR (MSDE)
- SOAR
- Skilling for AI Readiness — launched July 2025; on Skill India Digital Hub
- Inaugurated
- IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre, Rairangpur, Odisha (virtually)
- MPs
- 15 MPs completed the SOAR AI module
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The #SkillTheNation Challenge launched by President Droupadi Murmu on 1 January 2026 is part of which initiative?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness)
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President launched the #SkilltheNation challenge under the SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness) initiative of MSDE.
Where is the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre that President Murmu inaugurated virtually on 1 January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Rairangpur, Odisha
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President virtually inaugurated the IGNOU Regional Centre and Skill Centre at Rairangpur, Odisha.
Consider the following statements about the SOAR initiative: 1. It is a flagship programme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. 2. It was launched in July 2025. 3. Its courses are offered on the Skill India Digital Hub. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (MSDE): SOAR – Skilling for AI Readiness is MSDE's flagship programme launched in July 2025, and the President urged citizens to enrol in the SOAR course on the Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH). All three are correct.