
India has been recognised as second top nation globally in preparing for future job market demands, excelling in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies, and green industries. This achievement is highlighted in the inaugural QS World Future Skills Index, published by UK-based education firm QS, which evaluates the readiness of countries to meet evolving global workforce needs.
Ranked 25th overall, India is categorised as a “future skills contender,” reflecting its significant progress in equipping its workforce for upcoming challenges. Notably, the country ranks second globally in the “future of work” metric with a score of 99.1, trailing only behind the United States, which secured a perfect 100.
QS Index: Assessing Global Readiness
The QS World Future Skills Index categorizes economies into four tiers: aspiring, practitioner, contender, and pioneer, based on their performance. The rankings were derived from an extensive analysis of:
- Skills fit: The alignment between education systems and industry requirements.
- Academic readiness: The capacity of education systems to deliver forward-looking skills.
- Future of work: The ability of job markets to recruit for in-demand roles.
- Economic transformation: Readiness for skills-driven economic growth.
The evaluation covered over 190 countries, analysing 280 million job postings, five million employer skill requirements, 5,000 universities, and 17.5 million research papers.
Key Strengths and Challenges
India’s strong performance is attributed to its vibrant innovation ecosystem, growing AI integration, and readiness to recruit for digital roles. However, the report also highlights critical challenges, including:
- A mismatch between academic curricula and industry demands in AI, digital, and green skills.
- Limited access to higher education for the youth.
- Insufficient emphasis on sustainability in both education and industry.
- Low spending on research and development (0.6% of GDP compared to the global average of 2.7%).
These gaps reflect India’s struggle to align research and industry efforts with global trends, such as sustainable practices and green technologies.
Calls for Education Reform
To bridge these gaps, the report emphasises the need to expand access to tertiary education, particularly in skills-intensive fields, and to introduce modular education pathways that align graduates with industry needs. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and initiatives like ULLAS (Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society) are seen as critical frameworks for driving these reforms.
PM Modi Applauds Achievement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded India’s ranking, calling it a proud moment for the nation. In a post on X, he stated: “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 progress towards prosperity and youth empowerment.”
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Workforce Challenges and Future Opportunities
Despite the motivating recognition, India faces significant workforce challenges. A study by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) in September 2024 revealed a shortfall in skilled workers, with demand at 103 million versus a supply of 74 million.
Emerging sectors like healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing, green jobs, drone technology, and AI are driving the demand for specialized skills. However, only a fraction of India’s workforce meets employability standards, as reported by the World Economic Forum and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
Towards a Skilled Future
To address these gaps, experts advocate for targeted skilling initiatives, better academic-industry collaboration, and policies promoting sustainable economic growth. India’s demographic advantage and proactive reforms could position it as a global leader in future-ready skills, ensuring sustainable development and robust economic transformation.
