India Excels In QS Index For Future Skills; PM Modi Emphasizes Youth Empowerment

The first QS World Future Skills Index highlights India as one of the top job markets ready to recruit for future skills, particularly in AI, digital, and green technologies.

Taking to X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the achievement, posting, “This is heartening to see! Over the last decade, our Government has worked on strengthening our youth by equipping them with skills that enable them to become self-reliant and create wealth. We have also leveraged the power of technology to make India a hub for innovation and enterprise. The insights from the QS World Future Skills Index are valuable as we move further on this journey towards prosperity and youth empowerment.”

QS World Future Skills Index: Key Parameters

The index, created by QS Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluates how well countries are equipped for the evolving job market, focusing on:

• Skills Fit: Alignment of the education system with industry needs.
• Academic Readiness: Capacity to deliver skills for future industries.
• Future of Work: Job market readiness for in-demand skills.
• Economic Transformation: Economy’s readiness for skills-led growth.

India’s Performance In The Index

India ranks 25th overall, earning the status of a ‘Future Skills Contender’.

Notably, it ranks second globally in the ‘Future of Work’ indicator, with a near-perfect score of 99.1, just behind the United States.

The country also stands out for its ability to attract venture capital, reinforcing its dynamic investment ecosystem.

QS reports that India is among the most prepared nations to recruit into digital roles, alongside Mexico, and shows notable readiness to integrate AI into its workforce.

Improvement Areas

Despite these achievements, the report identifies areas where India can improve:

• Better alignment of higher education with industry needs.
• Enhanced integration of digital, AI, and green skills into curricula.

Stronger collaboration between research institutions and industries, especially in emerging fields like sustainable infrastructure and green technologies.

Matteo Quacquarelli, QS Vice President Strategy and Analytics, remarked, “India’s outstanding GDP growth in recent years, developing economy, youth population and start-up culture, are all putting the country on the world stage and on a strengthened footpath to success.”

“While other nations are dealing with demographic problems around ageing societies, India’s current population offer multiple unique opportunities for further development,” he added.

The QS analysis offers recommendations for Indian higher education providers, emphasizing the need to align research and industry efforts with global trends.

The Index highlights challenges in areas such as green technologies, sustainable infrastructure, and long-term environmental strategies.

“Between 2025 and 2030, India’s economy will likely grow at an average of 6.5% annually putting the country ahead of many competitor economies around the world. But as the economy continues to evolve and innovate, students, graduates and workers need to supported to keep up with the pace of change in relevant skills required. The 2020 National Education Policy identified the importance of creating an adult education curriculum framework and it is important India’s higher education is fully leveraged to develop the skills and competences that will required in the future,” asserted Matteo Quacquarelli.

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