India is expected to require one million Artificial Intelligence (AI) professionals by 2026, according to a report titled India’s AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat released by the Ministry of Electronics & IT. As the country advances toward becoming a $23–35 trillion economy by 2047, the higher education system—particularly engineering—is undergoing a transformation to meet emerging workforce requirement shaped by AI, automation, and interdisciplinary integration.
Education adapting to meet AI-era demands
Engineering education is playing a central role in preparing talent for the AI-driven future. According to the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), B.Tech seat capacity for the academic year 2024–25 has increased to 14.9 lakh, marking a 16 per cent rise over the last four years. The increase has been primarily fueled by a surge in computer science and emerging technology fields like AI/ML, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and blockchain—reflecting industry requirements.
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Blending disciplines for innovation readiness
India’s tech education ecosystem is increasingly integrating interdisciplinary learning models, blending core STEM fields with design, communication, law, and business elements. Institutions are building programs that focus not only on technical proficiency but also on innovation, problem-solving, and responsible AI development. AI-focused academic centres and specialised institutes are being established to embed real-world relevance into curriculum and research from the outset.
Talent hub momentum and global benchmarks
The India Skills Report 2024 by Wheebox projects that India’s AI industry will reach $28.8 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 45 per cent. Between 2016 and 2023, the AI-skilled workforce in India grew 14-fold, placing the country among the top five globally in AI talent development alongside nations like Singapore, Finland, and Canada. This growth is being supported by strong academia-industry linkages, experiential learning opportunities, and increasing investment in digital-first curricula.
As AI continues to reshape business and societal functions, India’s response through academic innovation, capacity building, and ecosystem partnerships is positioning it as a global hub for AI talent.
