AI Upskilling Gains Momentum Among Indian Tech Professionals: Naukri Survey

Nearly half of technology professionals in India now receive some form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) training support from their employers, according to a new report published on Monday by job portal Naukri.

Released to coincide with National Technology Day, the report highlights a clear shift towards structured learning in the country’s evolving tech ecosystem.

The findings, based on responses from over 16,000 professionals across various industries, suggest that self-learning remains significant, but formal skilling pathways are rapidly gaining traction.

“AI upskilling has firmly entered the mainstream,” the report stated, adding that professionals across experience levels are embracing the AI era.

Freshers Lead The Shift

Among freshers, more than half reported that they had either begun basic training or were undergoing comprehensive AI instruction.

In tech hubs like Bengaluru and Gurugram, the transformation is even more visible about 33% of professionals in these cities confirmed that their companies are actively training them in AI tools.

IT Sector At The Forefront

The IT and software services sector leads this structured upskilling drive.

Given the dynamic nature of technology in their daily operations, professionals in these roles report more robust skilling opportunities compared to their peers in non-tech fields.

Among mid- and senior-level professionals, GenAI (Generative AI) emerged as the most sought-after skill.

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The report noted that 42% of professionals with 10–15 years’ experience prioritised GenAI, increasing to 46% among those with over 15 years in the field.

Meanwhile, early-career professionals continued to show interest in core competencies such as Cloud Computing, DevOps, and Data Engineering, reflecting a well-rounded appetite for technological growth.

Concerns Persist Amid Progress

Despite the upskilling momentum, many professionals voiced concerns about their work environment.

While 18% cited layoffs as their biggest worry, a greater proportion flagged issues like outdated technologies, insufficient time to upskill, and unsatisfactory salary hikes.

One in five professionals (20%) reported not having enough time to focus on learning, while 17% pointed to outdated tech stacks.

Significantly, 46% highlighted low salary increments as a key concern — indicating that while AI training is on the rise, compensation structures may not yet reflect the scale of workforce transformation.