India stands at the edge of a transformative leap as demand for Artificial Intelligence professionals is projected to reach one million by 2026, according to a new report titled India’s AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat, released by the Ministry of Electronics and IT. As the country eyes a $23 to $35 trillion economy by 2047, the spotlight now turns to preparing a skilled workforce that can fuel this dream.
Engineering education, once confined to conventional paths, is now undergoing a creative rebirth. The All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) reports a 16 percent increase in B. Tech seats over four years, reaching 14.9 lakh for 2024-25. Most of this growth comes from a soaring interest in AI-driven streams such as Machine Learning, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Blockchain and Cloud Computing, echoing the massive industry appetite.
This evolution reflects a deeper shift in how India grooms its future engineers. Moving from STEM to STEAM, educational institutions are embracing an interdisciplinary approach that blends technology with design, communication, law, business and the arts. It is about crafting professionals who are not only coders but also creators and critical thinkers.
Leading this wave, Symbiosis International University recently introduced the Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute. “By embracing AI, we are not just keeping pace with global innovation but also empowering our students to become responsible innovators and problem-solvers,” shared Amruta Yeravdekar Ruikar.
According to the India Skills Report 2024, the AI sector in India is set to grow to $28.8 billion by 2025, at a blazing 45 percent CAGR. The AI-skilled talent pool has multiplied 14 times since 2016, placing India among the top five fastest-growing hubs globally.
Institutions across India are now integrating hands-on industry training, global immersion and advanced research into their offerings. At SRM Institute, courses in AI-ML Embedded Systems and interdisciplinary sciences are designed to bridge academic excellence with practical exposure. Dr Kathiravan Kannan stated their programs aim to prepare students for real-world demands with global competitiveness.
Echoing this, Mahindra University’s Vice Chancellor Dr Yajulu Medury said, “We see a growing need to foster an innovation ecosystem driven by AI through experiential learning, ethics and emotional intelligence.”
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
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