Edtech platforms in India are experiencing a remarkable increase in enrolments for AI courses, driven by professionals eager to upskill in emerging technologies and maintain a competitive edge in the job market. Platforms such as Simplilearn, upGrad, Udemy, Emeritus, and Coursera are reporting a significant uptick in demand for courses focused on agentic AI, generative AI, and cybersecurity, leading them to expand their offerings. This includes launching more courses, forming additional university partnerships, and providing accessible pricing options like alumni discounts and flexible payment plans to fill critical skill gaps.
As organizations integrate AI capabilities into their operations, product development, and customer experience, the need for upskilling has become urgent. Industry executives note that large technology firms and Indian IT services companies are increasingly seeking professionals fluent in AI for traditional roles and creating specialized positions that require deep AI expertise.
At Simplilearn, demand for AI-focused programmes has surged by over 60% in the past year, with more than half of that interest coming from Indian learners. “We’re seeing strong enrolment from professionals with 5-15 years of experience, who collectively represent over 47.6% of learners. They understand that traditional skills alone are inadequate in an AI-driven economy and are eager to upgrade their expertise,” said Krishna Kumar, founder and CEO of Simplilearn.
Demand for AI talent in India is projected to escalate from approximately 600,000-650,000 to over 1,250,000 between 2022 and 2027, with two-thirds of Indians intending to learn at least one digital skill, according to a recent Deloitte-Nasscom report. Udemy has reported an astonishing 859% rise in demand for AI-related courses in just one year. “We’re seeing high demand across the AI spectrum in both B2B and B2C segments,” stated Vinay Pradhan, country manager for India and South Asia at Udemy. The platform has formed partnerships with global organizations like Emtrain and HSM to promote AI-driven skills acceleration.
Emeritus is also adapting to market needs by expanding its offerings to include agentic AI and generative AI productivity programmes, alongside executive-level courses that focus on AI strategy and governance. “Agentic AI programmes are among the fastest growing on the platform, with enrolments nearly three times higher than other technology offerings,” noted Avnish Singhal, president for India and APAC at Emeritus.
upGrad is witnessing substantial traction for emerging tech courses, with over 90% of learners opting for AI-focused programmes. “We are expanding foundational GenAI literacy programmes on the B2C side and integrating applied AI modules into popular tracks such as data science, cloud computing, product management, and digital marketing. We are also strengthening our offline presence through learning support centres that offer 4-6 month programmes in data science, AI/ML, and full-stack development,” said Rohit Sharma, president of consumer business for international markets at upGrad.
While younger professionals make up a significant portion of the learner base, there is a discernible shift towards more applied and advanced learning. This transition indicates that learners are moving from basic AI awareness to practical implementation and deeper skill-building. This year, Coursera introduced more than 2,700 new courses, specialisations, and certificates across various disciplines, including AI and business leadership. A spokesperson revealed, “We now have over 1,000 Generative AI courses on the platform—double the amount from last year. Enrolments in emerging-skills content have surged, especially in Generative AI, data, and technology, with enrolments increasing by 450% between 2023 and 2025.”
As upGrad continues to adapt, there is a noticeable trend among mid- and senior-level professionals navigating job transitions or redundancies. “At that stage, traditional upskilling isn’t adequate; it’s about repositioning themselves as domain experts. Senior decision-makers are seeking clarity on which projects to prioritize, how to effectively scale AI systems, and how to navigate the build-versus-buy decisions,” Sharma added.
The surge in demand for AI education within the Indian market underscores the increasing importance of these skills in today’s economy. By investing in AI training, professionals are not only enhancing their career prospects but are also contributing to the broader digital transformation of the industry.
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