President Murmu urges early tech education to prepare India for a technology-driven future

President Droupadi Murmu emphasized the need to foster innovation and early technological education as India charts a path toward a technology-driven future.

Speaking to a joint sitting of Parliament at the start of the Budget Session, the President outlined the government’s priorities for the year, highlighting technological innovation, skill development, and education as central to India’s long-term growth strategy.

The session precedes Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Union Budget presentation on Feb 1, which is expected to reinforce initiatives for a future-ready economy.

President Murmu stressed the importance of instilling scientific curiosity, problem-solving skills, and technological capabilities in students from an early age.

“Equipping students with technological capabilities will be critical for India's long-term economic growth and its competitiveness on the global stage,” she said.

The President also pointed to employment-focused initiatives, noting that the Rozgar Mela has provided jobs for a large number of citizens.

“Close to 20 lakh workers have been trained and upskilled through various skill development programs,” she added.

In a move aimed at future-proofing India’s school education, the Ministry of Education announced last year that Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Computational Thinking (CT) will be incorporated into the curriculum starting from Class 3 in the 2026–27 academic year.

Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, said the objective is to make AI a foundational skill, integrated under the theme "The World Around Us."