India produces over one million engineering graduates every year. This number should make us proud. But here is the reality: According to the Indian Skills Report 2023, less than half of people are considered available. In a world ahead of artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies, this gap is no longer academic—it is a crisis.
But the change began to stir. In response, a new model of education began to form, bringing academia and industry to the same table.
India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks curriculum correction. It calls on classrooms to open their doors, learn from the industry, experientially, and relevant. Since then, regulators have taken action. UGC now allows industry-sponsored programs. AICTE’s “Practice Professor” framework allows professionals without a PhD to teach them what they know best – real work.
On the ground, this translates into visible changes. Some academic institutions are working with technology companies or new era edtechs to jointly develop courses beyond basic theories. Courses are being redesigned to integrate application skills – AI, data science, cloud infrastructure and more. In addition to technical training, there are new focus on problem solving, communication and real-world environments.
Learning is no longer limited to classrooms. Internships are mandatory. Hackathons, real-time projects and industry-led labs have become common throughout campuses. Some forward-looking institutions, such as NEIT-NXTWAVE Advanced Technical College, have further developed it. Their courses evolve with the industry’s transformation. Starting from the first semester, students engage in paid internships, real-world technical projects and guidance. In such a place, students are not prepared for the workplace. They are already in it.
Another layer is being added to the government-supported center of excellence. They build capabilities in high-tech fields such as AI, semiconductors and 5G through public-private partnerships. Digital platforms are illuminating the competitive environment. From 1st floor cities to 3rd floor towns, students now earn microscopic degrees from global technology companies.
The result was early, but hopeful. Institutions embracing this transformation report stronger placement outcomes and increased student confidence. The industry is responding too – with more internships, mentoring and early talent pipelines.
But for this transformation to be truly effective, it needs to go beyond isolated cases. The future of Indian tech talent depends on systematic collaboration, and the industry is not only hired from academia, but also helps to build it.
