Bengaluru: Upskilling in India has entered the mainstream, cutting across various age groups and industries, according to insights from edtech firm Great Learning based on data from over one million learners in 2025. The report underscores a significant trend: a rising number of senior professionals are engaging in advanced technology learning, with those boasting over 15 years of experience representing more than 40% of enrolments in programmes related to Generative AI and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning. This shift indicates a growing recognition among leadership of the importance of AI capabilities in strategic decision-making and organizational leadership, especially as companies ramp up AI integration across their functions.
AI and Machine Learning have emerged as the most sought-after domains for upskilling, witnessing a 17% year-on-year increase in demand. Other popular areas include Data Science, Software Development, Cloud Computing, and Cyber Security. The report highlights that AI is no longer viewed as a niche skill limited to technical roles; professionals across various functions are now pursuing a more comprehensive understanding of AI, emphasizing its practical applications and responsible usage within business contexts.
While freshers and early-career professionals with zero to three years of experience made up 48% of total enrolments in 2025, indicating their dominance in the upskilling landscape, mid-career and senior professionals contributed nearly equal shares. This trend reflects a critical need for upskilling throughout the professional lifecycle.
Interestingly, the surge in upskilling activities was primarily driven by professionals outside the IT and IT-enabled services sector. Approximately 77% of learners hailed from non-technology industries such as banking, manufacturing, energy, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, with only 23% from IT/ITES companies. Notably, nearly one-third of learners enrolled in AI programmes possessed non-STEM educational backgrounds, suggesting an increasing accessibility of AI skills across diverse disciplines.
Participation was strongest in Tier-1 cities, which accounted for 68% of enrolments in long-term courses, with Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad leading in engagement. However, Tier-2 cities, including Coimbatore, Madurai, and Kochi, also showed robust demand for upskilling opportunities. Tamil Nadu emerged as the largest contributor to upskilling participation in these regions, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. States such as Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh demonstrated significant learner engagement, indicating the emergence of regional talent hubs.
Arjun Nair, Co-Founder of Great Learning, commented on the findings, stating that the data highlights the profound impact of AI on the professional ecosystem. “What became increasingly clear in 2025 was the extent to which AI permeated industries, job functions, and experience levels. The rise in learners from non-technology sectors shows that AI is no longer a niche skill, but a core workplace capability,” he noted. As companies continue to embrace AI technologies, the emphasis on skills development across all career stages underscores the evolving nature of the workforce and the imperative for continuous learning.
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