India’s role in global workforce continues to strengthen, with nearly 55% of Indian graduates expected to be globally employable by 2025, an increase from 51.2% in 2024. findings, published in India Skills Report 2025, emphasize India’s growing prominence in meeting international workforce demands. Compiled by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Wheebox, and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), report sheds light on employability trends, skills development, and industry demand.
Rising Employability Across Disciplines
report highlights employability of graduates across various disciplines, with management graduates leading at 78%. Engineering graduates follow closely at 71.5%, while MCA (Master of Computer Applications) and science graduates report employability rates of 71% and 58%, respectively. These figures reflect India’s educational institutions aligning more closely with global industry requirements.
| Discipline | Employability Rate (2025) |
| Management | 78% |
| Engineering | 71.5% |
| MCA | 71% |
| Science | 58% |
Regional Talent Hubs
report identifies Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi as key talent hubs, with cities like Pune, Bengaluru, and Mumbai standing out as centers of skilled workforce development. These regions benefit from a combination of quality educational institutions, a strong industrial presence, and government initiatives supporting skill enhancement.
| State | Key Cities |
| Maharashtra | Pune, Mumbai |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru |
| Delhi | New Delhi |
Gender-Based Employability Trends
While overall employability is on rise, report notes a gender disparity. Employability for men is expected to increase to 53.5% in 2025 from 51.8% in 2024. However, for women, it is projected to decline slightly to 47.5% from 50.9%. This calls for targeted initiatives to close gender gap and ensure equitable opportunities for all.
| Gender | Employability Rate (2024) | Employability Rate (2025) |
| Men | 51.8% | 53.5% |
| Women | 50.9% | 47.5% |
Demand for Internships
One of report’s key findings is overwhelming interest in internships, with 93% of students expressing need for hands-on experience. Internships are seen as crucial for bridging gap between academic learning and practical application, enhancing employability.
Focus on Skill Training for Global Mobility
Nirmal Singh, Chief Convenor of India Skills Report, emphasized importance of long-term, certified skill programs, especially those incorporating language training, to enhance international mobility. Singh stressed need for quality training to prepare graduates for global opportunities, particularly in emerging industries.
Hiring Intent for 2026
Decoding Jobs – 2025 report, also released by CII, forecasts a hiring intent of 9.8% for fiscal year 2026. Global capability centers, heavy engineering firms, and banking and financial sectors report highest hiring intent at 12%. Core industries and FMCG companies also show strong demand with hiring intents of 11.5% and 10%, respectively.
| Sector | Hiring Intent (2026) |
| Global Capability Centers | 12% |
| Heavy Engineering Firms | 12% |
| Banking & Financial Services | 12% |
| Core Industries | 11.5% |
| FMCG | 10% |
Key Insights from Reports
- Educational Alignment: Institutions are increasingly tailoring their curricula to match global industry requirements.
- Regional Excellence: Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi continue to lead in producing globally employable talent.
- Gender Gap: Addressing declining employability rates among women is crucial for achieving inclusive growth.
- Skill Development: Emphasis on internships and certified training programs is pivotal for enhancing global workforce readiness.
- Industry Demand: highest hiring intents are seen in technology-driven and financial sectors.
Conclusion
India’s workforce is poised for significant growth on global stage, with employability rates projected to reach 55% by 2025. findings from India Skills Report 2025 underscore need for continued focus on skill development, gender inclusivity, and alignment with industry demands. As India strengthens its position as a global talent hub, strategic initiatives and partnerships will be vital to sustaining this momentum.
Disclaimer
This article is based on India Skills Report 2025 and other publicly available information. It is intended for informational purposes only. author and publisher are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from use of this information. Updates on India’s Global Workforce Employability to Reach 55% by 2025 will be provided as new details emerge.
