India is recognized as a leader in preparing its workforce for future skills, particularly in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, and green industries, according to the QS World Future Skills Index. Ranking 25th overall, India is a ‘future skills contender’ with a notable score of 99.1 in the ‘future of work’ category. However, challenges remain, such as misalignment between education and industry needs, limited access to higher education, and low research investment. Addressing these issues through educational reforms is vital for harnessing the potential of India's youth.
India has emerged as a frontrunner in preparing its workforce for the skills that will be in high demand in the future, particularly in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and green industries. This accolade comes from the inaugural QS World Future Skills Index, released by the UK-based higher education organization QS, which assesses countries’ readiness to adapt to the evolving global job market.
Ranking 25th overall, India is identified as a ‘future skills contender’ in this index. Notably, it shines in the ‘future of work’ category, securing the second-highest global score of 99.1, trailing only the United States, which holds the top position with a perfect score of 100, bolstered by the innovations from Silicon Valley and adaptive educational institutions.
The QS World Future Skills Index categorizes economies into four groups based on their performance: aspiring, practitioner, contender, and pioneer. India's classification as a ‘contender’ highlights its advancement in cultivating skills that are crucial for the future.
The index is based on four fundamental indicators:
- Skills fit: Alignment between education systems and industry needs.
- Academic readiness: The ability of educational institutions to provide forward-thinking skills.
- Future of work: The job market's capacity to recruit individuals with in-demand skills.
- Economic transformation: Preparedness for a skills-driven economic landscape.
The analysis encompassed over 190 countries, 280 million job postings, 5,000 universities, five million employer skill requirements, and 17.5 million research papers.
India's commendable performance is attributed to its dynamic investment environment that promotes innovation, readiness to incorporate AI into the workforce, and robust recruitment strategies for digital roles, comparable to those seen in Mexico.
However, the report also identifies significant challenges, such as the misalignment between academic curricula and industry needs in AI, green, and digital skills. Other issues include limited access to higher education for the burgeoning youth population, a lack of emphasis on sustainability in educational and industrial sectors, and relatively low levels of research and development investment (0.6% of GDP compared to the global average of 2.7%).
India also faces challenges in future-oriented innovation and sustainability metrics, indicating a need for improved alignment between research initiatives and emerging global trends, particularly in green technologies and environmental sustainability.
To tackle these challenges, the report suggests expanding access to higher education, especially in skills-intensive areas, to fully leverage India’s significant youth demographic. Implementing modular education pathways could help reduce entry barriers and better align graduates with the needs of industry. Reskilling and upskilling programs, supported by policies such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society), are also deemed vital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride in India's standing in the QS World Future Skills Index, stating, "This is heartening to see! Over the last decade, our Government has worked on strengthening our youth by equipping them with skills that enable them to become self-reliant and create wealth. We have also leveraged the power of technology to make India a hub for innovation and enterprise. The insights from the QS World Future Skills Index are valuable as we move further on this journey toward prosperity and youth empowerment."
In a related note, a study by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) highlighted a substantial gap in skilled workers as of September last year, with demand at 103 million against a supply of only 74 million. This gap underscores an urgent need for targeted training and skill development across various sectors.
The transformation of India’s economic landscape is a significant contributor to this demand. Rapidly expanding fields such as healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing, green jobs, sustainability, waste management, the circular economy, food processing, drone technology, and AI require specialized skills that are currently in short supply.
Additionally, the World Economic Forum revealed that only a small percentage of India’s workforce is deemed employable. Among the 13 million individuals entering the workforce every year, merely 25% of management professionals, 20% of engineers, and 10% of graduates meet employability criteria. The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) 2023 Global Skills Gap Measurement Report further indicated that 47% of Indian workers, including 62% of women, are underqualified for their positions.
India’s proactive approach to skill development and empowerment positions it well for a future filled with opportunities.
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