In a significant boost to India’s artificial intelligence workforce, Tamil Nadu has emerged as one of the leading states in AI skill development, training over 2,100 candidates under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0. The state’s strong performance in the national skilling initiative highlights its growing prominence in India’s AI ecosystem.
According to recent data shared in Parliament by Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, the government has successfully trained 19,774 individuals in various AI courses nationwide. The initiative, backed by an investment of INR 7.13 crore as of December 2025, aims to bridge the growing AI talent gap in the country.
Tamil Nadu’s achievement of training 2,109 candidates places it third nationally, following Uttar Pradesh (2,561) and Bihar (2,055). The state’s performance, ahead of tech hubs like Telangana (1,726) and Andhra Pradesh (1,735), demonstrates its emerging potential as a center for AI talent development.
Dr. Raghavan Srinivasan, Director of the Tamil Nadu Centre for AI Research, comments on the state’s performance: “Tamil Nadu’s strong showing in the PMKVY 4.0 AI training program reflects our robust technical education infrastructure and the growing demand for AI professionals in our region. This initiative perfectly aligns with our state’s vision to become a leading AI hub in South India.”
The training program offers specialized courses including AI business intelligence analysis, data architecture, and data engineering. Beyond the PMKVY initiative, the government’s FutureSkills PRIME portal has attracted 20.9 lakh candidates nationwide, with 4.34 lakh successfully completing courses in AI and Big Data Analytics across 157 available programs.
The government’s commitment to AI skill development has been further strengthened through strategic partnerships. The “YuvAI Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building,” launched in collaboration with MeitY, AICTE, and Meta, aims to enable students and developers to leverage open-source large language models (LLMs) for real-world applications.
“The government’s focus on AI training couldn’t be more timely,” says Priya Venkataraman, CEO of Chennai-based AI startup AccelML. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand for AI talent in Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem. These training programs are creating a valuable talent pipeline that will help local startups compete globally.”
The initiative’s impact on Tamil Nadu’s startup ecosystem is expected to be substantial. With over 2,000 trained AI professionals entering the workforce, local startups and technology companies will have access to a larger pool of qualified talent. This development aligns with the state’s push to establish itself as a premier destination for AI and deep tech startups.
The recent announcement in Budget 2025-26 regarding the establishment of five new Centers of Excellence (CoEs) for skilling further reinforces the government’s commitment to building India’s AI capabilities. These centers are expected to help transition the workforce from traditional manufacturing roles to high-value production areas, including semiconductor fabrication.for
Tamil Nadu’s growing startup ecosystem
this comprehensive skilling initiative represents a crucial stepping stone toward establishing the state as a leading AI innovation hub. The combination of government support, quality training programs, and a growing pool of skilled professionals positions Tamil Nadu favorably in India’s evolving AI landscape.
