India Skills Report 2026: Women Lead India’s Employability Surge

India’s employability rate has climbed to “56.35%” in 2026, according to the “13th edition of the India Skills Report (ISR)” released by ETS in collaboration with CII, AICTE, AIU, and Taggd. The findings underscore India’s rising global profile as a hub for skilled professionals, powered by digital innovation, AI adoption, and the expanding gig economy. Notably, women have surpassed men in job readiness for the first time, marking a historic shift in India’s workforce dynamics.

India’s Evolving Skill Landscape

The report, based on insights from over 100,000 candidates who took the “Global Employability Test (GET)” and feedback from 1,000 employers across seven sectors, reveals a steady rise in employability — from “46.2% in 2022” to “54.8% in 2025”, reaching “56.3%” in 2026. Female employability now stands at “54%”, surpassing male employability at “51.5%”, driven by hybrid work models, digital skilling, and inclusive learning access in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. The report highlights a nationwide shift towards a skill-first economy.

AI and Digital Integration

India now accounts for “16% of the global AI talent pool”, a figure projected to reach “1.25 million specialists by 2027”. Over “90% of employees” report using generative AI tools, reflecting rapid technological adoption across sectors. Moreover, “70% of IT” and “50% of BFSI” organisations have introduced AI-powered recruitment systems. According to “Nirmal Singh”, CEO of Wheebox ETS and chief convenor of the ISR, “India stands at the intersection of scale, skill, and technology. The coming decade will define its leadership in global talent mobility.”

Gig Workforce and Sectoral Growth

The report forecasts that India’s gig and freelance workforce will reach “23.5 million by 2030”, with project-based hiring growing “38% annually”. Hiring intent for FY 2026–27 has climbed to “40%”, up from 29% last year. The sectors driving job creation include “technology, BFSI, manufacturing, renewable energy, and healthcare”. The BFSI and fintech industries alone are expected to generate “2.5 lakh new jobs by 2030”, growing at “8.7% annually”. The most employable states in 2026 are “Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka”.

Exam Oriented Facts

• India’s employability rate rose to 56.35% in the 2026 edition of the India Skills Report.
• Female employability (54%) surpassed male employability (51.5%) for the first time.
• India holds 16% of the world’s AI talent, expected to reach 1.25 million experts by 2027.
• Gig and freelance workforce projected at 23.5 million by 2030; hiring intent at 40%.
• Top employable states: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.

India’s Global Talent Outlook

The 2026 ISR theme, ““Gig Work, Freelancing, and AI-Supported Roles,”” reflects India’s leadership in shaping the global future of work. With modular, AI-integrated skilling and internationally recognised credentials, India is poised to deliver a digitally fluent and adaptive workforce. The report concludes that the nation’s trajectory depends on how effectively it bridges education, policy, and enterprise — ensuring that as technology advances, human capability continues to grow alongside it.