Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the national leader in certified talent for artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics (BDA) under the union government’s FutureSkills PRIME initiative, with 108,895 individuals certified out of 153,783 enrolled over the past three years, according to data tabled by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in the Lok Sabha.
While Tamil Nadu recorded higher total enrolments at 1,61,190 candidates, Andhra Pradesh surpassed it in final completions, outperforming major technology hubs including Maharashtra with 45,277 certified, Telangana with 45,250 and Karnataka with 34,790. The figures reflect the state’s concerted push towards emerging technology skilling under chief minister’s focus on building a future-ready workforce.
AI and big data form part of a larger FutureSkills PRIME footprint across the state, with total enrolments across all emerging technology modules, including the internet of things, cybersecurity, blockchain and augmented and virtual reality, crossing 434,000. The national programme, implemented jointly by MeitY and NASSCOM, has recorded over 3.4 million registrations and more than 1.3 million certifications nationwide, with 86 per cent of participants coming from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
In Andhra Pradesh, institutional support is anchored by the NIELIT Tirupati Centre, which develops specialised curricula and industry-aligned training, backed by 22 Digital Literacy Course facilitation centres and two accredited skill centres.
The skilling drive provides concrete support for the state’s broader economic ambitions, with Visakhapatnam being positioned as a technology and AI hub and Amaravati planned as a digital-first capital. A certified talent pool of over 100,000 candidates gives the state a competitive edge in attracting global technology firms and research and development centres.