Women surpass men in job readiness for first time, finds India skills report 2026 | India News

NEW DELHI: India’s employability has improved to 56.35 per cent in 2026, up from 54.81 per cent last year, marking a shift toward a skill-first economy driven by AI adoption, digital fluency, and global mobility. The 13th edition of the India Skills Report 2026, released by Educational Testing Service (ETS), in association Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Association of Indian Universities (AIU), is based on data from over 1 lakh candidates and 1,000 employers across seven sectors. The report positions India as a “preferred global source of skilled talent,” underscoring its growing influence in the international labour market.India now accounts for 16% of the world’s AI talent, projected to reach 1.25 million professionals by 2027. The report notes that “India leads globally in AI skill penetration, with AI now a baseline competency in most digital roles.” Over 90% of employees across sectors use Generative AI tools, while 70 per cent of IT and 50 per cent of Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) organisations have adopted AI-based recruitment systems.This year’s employability growth is linked to increased digital skilling, a surge in tier-2 and tier-3 city participation, and greater gender inclusion — with female employability (54 per cent surpassing male employability (51.5 per cent for the first time, aided by hybrid work and online learning opportunities.Hiring intent for FY 2026–27 stands at 40 per cent, up from 29 per cent in the previous year, driven by sustained demand in technology, BFSI, manufacturing, renewable energy, and healthcare. The BFSI and fintech sectors alone are expected to generate 2.5 lakh new jobs by 2030, with an annual growth rate of 8.7 per cent, according to the report’s sectoral snapshot.India’s gig and freelance workforce continues to expand, projected to reach 23.5 million by 2030, with project-based hiring growing 38% last year. Permanent roles still account for 72 per cent of employment, but gig and third-party positions have climbed to 16 per cent, reflecting a maturing flexible economy.Education and policy initiatives have played a vital role in strengthening employability outcomes. AICTE’s Project PRACTICE and the creation of AI and Climate Cells are modernising technical education through project-based learning and industry collaboration. The report emphasises “co-designed curricula, stackable credentials, and R&D integration” as essential to keeping academic training aligned with emerging skill demands.Nirmal Singh, CEO of Wheebox ETS and chief convenor of the report, said: “The 2026 edition shows India standing at the intersection of scale, skill, and technology. The next decade will cement India’s leadership in global talent mobility through modular, AI-integrated skilling and internationally recognised certifications.”The report concludes that India’s trajectory will depend on how effectively it connects policy, education, and enterprise. “The future of work is not defined by how much technology can do, but by how much humans can grow alongside it,” it notes.