In a major push towards digital governance, the Uttar Pradesh government has made an Artificial Intelligence (AI) course mandatory for over 17 lakh officers and employees across 63 departments. An official order issued by the appointments department states that strict action will be taken against personnel who fail to complete the training within the prescribed deadline.
Mandatory AI Under Mission Karmayogi
The decision has been taken under Mission Karmayogi Bharat, which focuses on capacity building and skill enhancement of government employees to align administrative functioning with emerging technologies. The directive was issued on February 12, 2026, followed by a high-level review meeting on February 13, where all departments were instructed to ensure compliance.
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Course Structure and Practical Focus
According to the government, each employee will have to complete three courses on the Karmayogi Bharat portal, with one module on AI being compulsory. The programme is designed not merely as a certification exercise but as a practical training initiative to integrate AI tools into routine administrative work.
Officials said AI is expected to play a growing role in file processing, grievance redressal, data analytics, decision-support systems and public service delivery. Training employees in these technologies is seen as essential to make governance more transparent, efficient and outcome-oriented.
Monitoring and Enforcement Mechanisms
To monitor implementation, a Capacity Building Commission has been constituted. A separate state-level capacity building body has also been set up to track departmental progress and ensure adherence to timelines. Departments will be required to submit periodic progress reports on course completion.
Expected Impact on Governance
The government believes that AI-enabled workflows will reduce pendency of files, improve evidence-based decision-making and enhance the quality of citizen services. The initiative is being viewed as a structural reform to modernise administrative processes and strengthen digital governance.
Experts say that training such a large workforce in AI could mark a significant administrative reform if it moves beyond a certificate-driven approach and is embedded into day-to-day functioning through practical use cases and performance metrics.
Under the order, employees who do not complete the mandatory courses within the stipulated timeframe may face disciplinary action, signalling the government’s intent to enforce the programme strictly.
The administration expects that the initiative will improve operational efficiency, speed up decision-making and lead to more responsive and technology-driven public service delivery across the state.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
