Indian students are choosing targeted job prep over broad academic upskilling

Mumbai, Jul 31

We’re seeing a clear and deliberate shift among Indian students who are now choosing targeted job preparation over broad academic upskilling. It’s not hard to see why. Traditional education, while valuable, often fails to keep pace with the speed at which technology and employer expectations evolve. In fact, 77 percent of Indian professionals already in the workforce feel under-skilled in areas their employers deem critical. That’s a telling figure and it shows this isn’t just a student concern but a systemic disconnect.

Talking to Bizz Buzz, Manish Agarwal, Senior Director of PrepInsta A stop destination for placement says, “Students today are becoming far more strategic. They want quicker returns on time and money invested. Many feel that general degrees do not offer a clear pathway to employment. Instead, they are opting for industry-aligned training that directly mirrors what recruiters test for. Courses in data analytics, AI and machine learning, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and full-stack development are increasingly preferred.”

Competitive hiring, higher awareness through social media, peer influence, and the growing visibility of job-specific outcomes have all contributed to this shift. What’s emerging is a mindset that values demonstrable skill over academic breadth and that’s reshaping the future of employability in India.

Mamta Shekhawat, founder of Gradding.com, a study abroad platform says, “As the founder of a study abroad platform, I see a clear change in how Indian students view international education. Gradually, they have decreased emphasis on high-end degrees or recognition and are interested in job-oriented training. Students do not merely look for esteemed universities, but rather courses that directly channel high-demand jobs with good post-study work opportunities.”

For example, courses in data science, artificial intelligence, business analytics, and digital marketing have seen a surge in interest due to their strong career prospects. Quick ROI, placements opportunities, and international job prospects are the factors students hunt for. Students ask for the particulars relating to the prospects of a firm before choosing to study the course and location of study abroad. Location-wise, when it comes to skill-based education with strong industry ties, Canada, Germany, and Australia rank top. While traditional education still carries some value, today's students are far more focused on outcomes. They want training that is targeted and tied to the job market globally.

Uma Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor of Noida International University says, “There has been a significant change in performance preferences among Indian students; now they are moving toward specific job preparation in terms of bootcamps, micro-credentials, and GenAI-skills certificates over broad upskilling in terms of academic learning. In a recent CFA Institute survey (Graduate Outlook Survey 2025 Report), 87% of Indian graduates stated they feel job-ready, and it is mainly based on their investments in practical certifications that have filled sufficient industry gaps in skills.”

In a similar vein, 99% of Indian employers say that GenAI and micro-credentials are more critical than experience or degrees, while still prioritising practical skills, with 80% of the hiring organisations prioritising practice-based skills, not academic credentialing.

Only 47 percent of schools have any skill-based course, and only 42 percent of schools in Delhi are explicitly teaching job-ready skills, showing the disconnect between education and employability. This trend is not only a finding; it is a clear context where students are now looking for outcomes, not credentials. Many are looking for shorter, more focused programmes. This is a sign of a pragmatic progression; Indian students are, quite rightly, thinking about employability ahead of tradition. It is time the Indian education system - faculty and curriculum alike align with this contextual shift toward skill-based, skill-integrated outcome-based learning.

EoM.