India's Future Job Market
India ranks second in preparedness for future jobs, including artificial intelligence (AI) and green skills, according to the QS World Future Skills Index 2025. However, in economic transformation and workforce readiness, India ranks 40th and 37th, respectively.
QS World Future Skills Index
- Overall Ranking: India is 25th, labeled a "future skills contender".
- Top Countries: The United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, and Canada are "future skills pioneers".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi finds the ranking "heartening", emphasizing efforts to equip youth with self-reliance and innovation skills.
Indicators Assessed by QS Survey
- Skills Fit: Evaluates alignment of graduate skills with employer needs.
- Future of Work: Assesses readiness for skills needed in future jobs.
- Academic Readiness: Evaluates preparation for future work.
- Economic Transformation: Assesses readiness to support work and skills growth.
India's Performance on Indicators
- Future of Work:
- India ranks 2nd, focusing on digital, AI, and green skills.
- Derived from analysis of over 280 million global job postings.
- Skills Fit:
- India ranks last among 30 countries, scoring 59.1.
- Highlights a significant gap in meeting employer demands.
- Innovation in Sustainability:
- India scores 15.6 out of 100, lowest in future-oriented sustainability innovation.
- G7 countries score 68.3, and EU countries score 59.
- Economic Transformation:
- India ranks 40th with a score of 58.3.
- Challenges include investment and innovation capacity.
- Academic Readiness:
- India ranks 26th, with a score of 89.9.
Report Insights on India's Education System and Policy
The report notes that Indian graduates struggle to adapt to changing skill requirements, with a notable gap in entrepreneurial and innovative mindsets. Employers highlight a mismatch between workforce skills and economic needs, challenging the higher education system.
Recommendations include embedding creativity and problem-solving in curricula and fostering collaborations with industry. Continuous reskilling programs are also suggested to maintain workforce relevance and productivity.
