Big Opportunity: Government AI Program with Google & YouTube Offers 15,000 Scholarships
- Ankit Adhikari
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Government of India Partners with Tech Giants to Launch AI Skilling Drive; AI Program with Google & YouTube to Offer 15,000 Scholarships
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the AI Program with Google & YouTube is identifying top talent through a nationwide artificial intelligence olympiad, bridging the gap between academic learning and industry-ready skills.
In a significant move towards strengthening India’s position as a global AI talent hub, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced a historic collaboration with Google and YouTube. As a part of this program, the government is enabling 15,000 fully funded scholarships for learners across India, with the entire program being offered through a dedicated AI Program with Google & YouTube.
This program, for which registrations opened last month, is said to be the largest public-private skilling program since the launch of the India AI Mission. The officials said that this program has been created to ensure that high-quality AI education is made available to learners in both metropolitan areas as well as tier 2 and tier 3 towns.
Special Focus on Creative and Media Sectors
Giving a new dimension to the skilling process, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) announced on March 23 a parallel national skilling program in artificial intelligence that targets the creative and media sectors in particular. The initiative has been taken in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Communications Technology (IICT). The vertical program targets the skilling of 15,000 participants in AI skills that are immediately applicable in the creation of high-quality content for the media and creative industries.
The MIB-IICT program complements the larger AI Program with Google & YouTube by focusing on the application of AI in the creative and media sectors in particular, such as AI-based video editing, AI-based content moderation for media companies, media creation using AI, and ethical use of AI in journalism.
“AI is revolutionizing the way stories are created and the way people are informed,” said a senior MIB official. “By working with IICT and integrating this initiative with the AI Program with Google & YouTube, we are ensuring that India’s creative workforce is not only using AI but actually using AI to create world-class stories.”
A Unified, Merit-Based Entry Pathway
For both the core MeitY-Google initiative and the MIB-IICT sectoral track, the selection process remains anchored in a rigorous national olympiad. Applicants across all streams must first demonstrate their aptitude through the “National AI Olympiad,” a competitive examination developed in collaboration with Google’s AI research division and leading Indian technical institutions. The olympiad assesses logical reasoning, algorithmic thinking, ethical AI frameworks, and foundational programming skills—ensuring that candidates from every educational and professional background have an equal opportunity to qualify.
Curriculum, Access, and Industry Connect
The selected candidates through this olympiad would have access to a learning pathway consisting of video modules available on YouTube, coding labs, virtual workshops, and mentoring circles. The learning pathway would include courses in AI literacy, machine learning, natural language processing, and responsible AI, among others, in line with the competency framework for AI in the country. In addition to this, for media track candidates, IICT would also provide specialized courses in AI for broadcasting, digital news, and creative media.
Upon successful completion of this program, the scholars would have access to joint certifications provided by Google and MeitY (or MIB and IICT for the media track). In addition to this, the scholars would also have access to a placement support program that would allow them to access over 200 companies, including Indian unicorns, global tech companies, and government digital infrastructure units.
Current Status & Next Steps
Registration for the National AI Olympiad began on February 1, 2026, and preliminary rounds are currently being conducted across all districts. The final assessment is scheduled for April, with scholarship results expected to be announced in May.
The AI program in collaboration with Google and YouTube will begin its first batch in June 2026, followed by the launch of specialized modules under the MIB-IICT media track shortly after.
Officials have confirmed that the 15,000 scholarship initiative is just the first phase of a long-term partnership. There are plans to expand into other high-demand areas such as semiconductor design and green technology in the future.
A MeitY official stated that this initiative is more than just a skilling program—it aims to prepare India’s workforce for the future. The journey starts with the Olympiad, ensuring that opportunities reach talented individuals from all backgrounds.
Disclaimer: This article is only for information. Please check the website of the respective agencies for details.
Comments