India ranks second globally in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025, demonstrating readiness for the global job market. Despite its young population, strong economic growth, and dynamic start-up ecosystem, India faces challenges like skilled workforce gap, low employability standards, and limited access to higher education. Recommendations include collaboration, research, equitable access, and regional disparities.
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India has been ranked second globally in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025.
It was developed by London-based Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) to evaluate how countries are prepared to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global job market.
The index aims to evaluate nations' willingness to adopt emerging job trends like Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital transformation, and green technologies.
The index evaluates nations across four dimensions:
According to the QS World Future Skills Index 2025, India ranks second globally in terms of job market preparedness.
It focuses on India’s potential to meet emerging job market demands, especially in sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital industries, and green sectors.
India ranked 25th across all indicators, achieving the honour as a “future skills contender.”
In the “Future of Work” category, India secured the second-highest global score (99.1), just behind the United States.
The young population, strong economic growth, and dynamic start-up ecosystem placed India in an excellent position to lead in future-ready skills.
India ranks highly in AI, digital, and green industries, which makes it one of the most prepared nations for recruiting digital roles.
Despite its strong performance, India faces challenges in a few areas. One significant issue is the gap between higher education institutions and industry needs. There is a need to improve industry partnerships to ensure that graduates have the skills required by employers.
India scores low on metrics related to sustainable practices and innovation, indicating a need for more focus on sustainability and forward-thinking solutions.
Skilled Workforce Gap: A National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) study found a 29-million worker shortage. Key sectors like healthcare, AI, semiconductor manufacturing, green jobs, and food processing face acute shortages.
Low Employability Standards: Only 25% of management professionals, 20% of engineers, and 10% of graduates meet employability benchmarks.
Limited Access to Higher Education: Many youths struggle to access tertiary education, particularly in skills-intensive fields.
India ranked 25th overall in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025, the global job market is due to its ability to prepare a workforce for the future, particularly in digital, AI, and green sectors. With a strong demographic advantage and economic foundations, India has the potential to shape the future of work. Its focus on education, industry integration, and innovation will strengthen its position in emerging industries.
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