Yashoda AI: NCW Programme for Women’s AI Literacy
Why in the news
The NCW held a Yashoda AI session at Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, and also launched She Serves at a women’s college in the city.
Key facts
- Aim: practical AI, digital and cyber-safety skills for women, mainly students and residents of smaller towns.
- Method: training camps, campus sessions and a volunteer network of women who train others.
- Launched: 2025, with Future Shift Labs as technology partner.
- She Serves: NCW initiative guiding young women towards the Armed Forces.
Four focus areas
| Area | Content |
|---|---|
| AI literacy | How chatbots, translation and image tools work; use in study, small business, public services |
| Digital empowerment | Payments, e-governance, online learning, entrepreneurship |
| Cyber safety | Spotting deepfakes, fraud, stalking; data protection; reporting online crimes against women |
| Emerging technologies | Careers in AI and data; community-level trainers |
Significance
- Women are a minority in India’s technology workforce and a smaller part of rural internet users.
- Morphing, deepfakes and financial fraud against women have grown sharply.
- Complements Mission Shakti, Digital India and IndiaAI Mission skilling.
About the NCW
- Origin: formed 31 January 1992 through the 1990 NCW Act; based in New Delhi.
- Nature: statutory, not constitutional; chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar.
- Mandate: review safeguards for women, suggest remedies, take up complaints, inquire into rights violations, advise on policy.
- State Women’s Commissions play a similar role in States.
Exam angle
- Organiser: National Commission for Women.
- NCW status: statutory body created by an Act of Parliament.
- Related programme: She Serves.