– Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, ASME IMECE India 2025, Senior Vice President, Ashok Leyland Ltd.

India is at a defining moment. With one of the world’s youngest populations and technology reshaping industries at lightning speed, the nation’s demographic advantage can either power economic resurgence or become a lost opportunity. The critical question is not whether India can contribute to the global economy, but whether it can equip its workforce quickly enough to lead it.

The challenge is twofold: preparing talent for today’s jobs while ensuring readiness for tomorrow’s multidisciplinary, innovation-led workplaces. NASSCOM warns of a potential shortfall of one million STEM professionals by 2025, even as nearly half of graduates are employed in roles unrelated to their qualifications. At the same time, employers are signalling change—the latest India Skills Report shows that 78 percent of recruiters now prioritise skills over degrees.

Strengthening India’s skilling base

Government programmes have laid a strong foundation for transformation:

• Skill India Mission (2022–26): Brings together PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, and Jan Shikshan Sansthan to deliver industry-ready training.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 4.0): Introduces 400+ courses in AI, 5G, green hydrogen, drones, and cybersecurity.
• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Expands practical training in robotics, blockchain, and renewable energy.
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Focuses on rural youth and international job placements.
• PM Vishwakarma Yojana: Upskills artisans and safeguards traditional crafts in a digital economy.
• Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Encourages entrepreneurship through 10,000+ Atal Tinkering Labs and incubators.

States, too, are stepping up. Punjab has expanded ITI capacity by 50 percent, while Uttar Pradesh’s Rozgar Melas have connected over 1.3 million young people with jobs. A ₹60,000 crore plan to modernise 1,000 ITIs further underscores commitment.

The missing link: industry–academia collaboration

While government initiatives provide the scaffolding, scale and relevance depend on closer ties between industry and academia. Curricula must integrate problem-solving, design thinking, and entrepreneurship, while companies co-create modules and expand apprenticeships in high-growth sectors.

Towards a global edge

Skills are now currency, and nations are competing fiercely for talent. For India to emerge as an innovation hub, four priorities stand out:

1. Embed multidisciplinary thinking into education.
2. Expand skilling opportunities beyond metropolitan centres.
3. Incentivise apprenticeships and industry partnerships.
4. Cultivate entrepreneurial and digital fluency alongside technical expertise.

Mechanical engineering offers a vivid example of this transformation. Once defined by design and manufacturing, the field now integrates automation, digital tools, and sustainability—an evolution mirrored across disciplines.

Conclusion

India’s workforce story is being written today. By bridging capability gaps, ensuring equitable skilling, and fostering innovation, the nation can turn its demographic dividend into a decisive competitive edge. The question is no longer if India can lead—it is how quickly we choose to act.

Also Read: AI and robotics in schools: Shaping India’s tech future