Generative AI enrolments in India have reached unprecedented levels, marking the country as a global leader with a staggering 107% increase year-on-year and exceeding 2.6 million enrolments as reported by Coursera’s Global Skills Report 2025. With over 31 million learners on the platform, India has surpassed Europe in total enrolments, underscoring its commitment to digital transformation and education aligned with job market needs.
According to the report, which is derived from data involving over 170 million learners in more than 100 countries, India ranks 89th on a global scale and 19th within the Asia Pacific region in terms of overall skills proficiency. The nation exhibits an 18% proficiency in business, 22% in technology, and 20% in data science. An AI Maturity Index recently introduced positions India in a mid-tier slot at 46th, signalling consistent yet uneven growth in AI innovation and talent preparedness.
Coursera has observed a noteworthy 23% annual increase in Professional Certificate enrolments within India, totalling 3.3 million. This surge is primarily driven by the need for skills that employers are prioritising, such as AI and machine learning (up 84%), customer service (up 41%), and curiosity (up 32%). Despite this growth, a significant gender disparity is evident, with women making up only 30% of Generative AI learners and 26% of Professional Certificate enrolments.
A significant majority of Indian users on Coursera, about 52%, access the platform via mobile devices, indicating a strong preference for skills in full-stack development and DevOps, which encompass web development, application lifecycle management, and containerisation.
Prashasti Rastogi, who serves as the Director for Coursera for Campus and Coursera for Government in India, mentioned that the country’s dedication to AI and digital skills is reflected through various policy initiatives and the behavioural patterns of learners. She noted the importance of national AI missions and reforms aimed at skills-based hiring.
This report arrives as forecasts indicate that India will require one million AI-skilled professionals by 2026, coinciding with a projected peak of its working-age population at 68% by 2030. Conversely, data from the International Labour Organization highlights that 47% of workers, including 62% of women, are underqualified for their respective jobs, which showcases the urgent need for inclusive and outcome-focused skilling initiatives.
The authors of the report advocate for the expansion of public-private partnerships, the integration of micro-credentials into higher education systems, and efforts to boost women’s involvement in emerging technology realms to unlock the full potential of India’s digital economy.
