Uttar Pradesh has taken a thoughtful step toward supporting women in the world of technology. On 19 November 2025, Governor Anandiben Patel launched the NARI scheme at the Unnao campus of Chandigarh University. The name NARI stands for Nurturing AI Revolution for Inclusion. The aim is simple. It wants to help more women learn skills in artificial intelligence and build confidence to enter a fast-changing technology sector.
The government has allocated two crore twenty lakh rupees per annum for the program. Under this initiative, the scheme will train fifteen hundred women per year. It will further support one hundred and fifty women led startups over three years. It has also planned health screenings for two thousand women so that learning and wellbeing go hand in hand.
The concept behind the scheme is not only to impart technology, but also to give confidence to women to work in fields that were earlier perceived as difficult or beyond their reach. Many young women aspire to pursue technology studies but do not get the appropriate opportunities for this. NARI aspires to fill this gap by providing systematic training and consistent guidance.
Why This Scheme Matters
Women often face more barriers than men when they try to enter technical jobs. Some are encouraged to pick traditional subjects. Some lack family support. Others find it hard to travel or get access to resources. Many do not know where to begin. In a state as large as Uttar Pradesh, these challenges are bigger for girls from small towns and rural areas.
The idea is to bring opportunities closer to such students by placing a technology programme in Unnao. It will offer training in fields like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other modern tools. Companies are looking for people with these skills. When women learn them early, they can join a wide range of jobs.
It also intends to provide support for startups led by women. Many women have ideas that can be turned into small businesses, but they may not always have mentors, funds or training. Under the NARI scheme, they will be guided, helped on the technicalities and given opportunities to build their products. A woman who learns AI today could use it tomorrow in healthcare, education, agriculture, or small retail.
Beyond Skills: Building Confidence and Community
The novelty of the NARI scheme is that health screening for the women learners has been included. That could seem out of place in a technological programme, yet it carries an important message. Development isn’t just about jobs; it’s also about women’s good health, support, and encouragement. When a woman feels cared for, she can learn better and dream bigger.
Equally important, it is a community-building programme. When women learn together, they support one another. They share doubts, celebrate achievements and stay motivated. This sense of belonging can help many young women overcome hesitation and step into new fields.
A Small Step With a Larger Vision
India is rapidly moving into a digital and technological future. If women are left behind at this stage, the gap might further grow wider in the years to come. Uttar Pradesh has tried to address this concern through the NARI scheme. By giving training, mentorship, and startup support, it is trying to ensure that women are active participants in the future of technology, not silent observers.
The program will take time to show full results. Training women is only the first step, jobs and internships, and community support will determine long-term success. But the intent is clear: to bring women to the front line of technology in a simple and sure way. The launch of NARI reflects a hopeful vision for Uttar Pradesh-a vision wherein girls in small towns can learn the skills that students in big cities do, a vision wherein women can build companies, create solutions, and lead teams. Most of all, it is a vision where opportunity belongs to everyone. This may seem like a humble step from the outside, but to a young woman aspiring for a career in technology, this could be the doorway she has been waiting for.
Clear Cut Gender Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Nov 20, 2025 03:00 IST
Written By: Janmojaya Barik
