Has India’s AI talent pool surpassed 4 lakhs in 2025?
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Synopsis
India's AI talent pool has experienced significant growth, surpassing 4 lakhs in 2025. This report reveals not only the current state but also the future challenges and opportunities in the AI landscape, emphasizing the urgent need for strategic action by businesses, educators, and policymakers.
Key Takeaways
- India's AI talent pool has crossed 4 lakhs.
- There exists a 51% demand-supply gap in the market.
- AI hiring has expanded by 8 times since 2017.
- The BFSI sector is a major driver of AI demand, accounting for 24%.
- Emerging Tier-2 cities are contributing significantly to AI talent growth.
New Delhi, May 13 (NationPress) India’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent pool has exceeded 4 lakhs in 2025, as highlighted in a recent report released on Friday.
The report, published by Quess Corp, a leading staffing and workforce solutions provider, indicates that the AI talent pool in India has reached 416,000 professionals.
Despite this growth, a concerning 51 per cent demand-supply gap persists, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced capabilities in the future.
Since 2017, AI hiring has surged by 8 times, signifying a distinct transition from generalist roles to more targeted, capability-driven hiring, according to the report.
Job postings are increasingly prioritizing stack fluency, production readiness, and tool-specific proficiency, demonstrating a shift from experimentation to large-scale deployment within enterprises.
“The rise of AI represents not only a talent migration but also a profound generational opportunity. Between March 2024 and March 2025, the demand for AI and data talent in India surged by almost 45 per cent,” stated Kapil Joshi, CEO of Quess IT Staffing.
“In cutting-edge areas like GenAI engineering, there is merely one qualified professional for every ten open positions, highlighting not just a hiring challenge but a strategic one. India possesses the scale, capabilities, and potential to spearhead the global AI revolution. To capitalize on this moment, businesses, educators, and policymakers must act swiftly,” Joshi emphasized.
Additionally, the report unveiled a significant rise in the compensation of AI experts.
Entry-level professionals earn between Rs 8-12 LPA, while specialists in NLP and GenAI with 5-8 years of experience command Rs 25–35 LPA. Senior professionals in product firms and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are earning over Rs 45 LPA.
The BFSI sector constitutes 24 per cent of the total AI demand in India, followed by IT Services and Healthcare.
In-demand roles include data scientists, ML engineers, AI developers, and AI researchers. There is also a growing need for AI product managers and business analysts who can translate models into tangible business impact.
While Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Hyderabad remain the hubs for India’s GenAI hiring, emerging Tier-2 cities are now contributing 14-16 per cent of total AI demand. Cities like Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Coimbatore account for 70 per cent of this Tier-2 growth, showcasing the emergence of distributed AI talent centers beyond major metros.
GCCs represent 23 per cent of AI hiring in India, playing a crucial role in shaping the GenAI-ready workforce.
The report advocates for strategic partnerships between academia and industry, customized upskilling programs, and bold policy measures to prepare India’s workforce for an AI-driven future.
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize that India stands at a pivotal moment in its AI journey. The rapid growth of AI talent, though commendable, is overshadowed by a significant demand-supply gap. To harness this potential, collaboration between industry, academia, and policymakers is essential. India's future in AI is bright, but we must act decisively to ensure we are not left behind.
NationPress
21/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current size of India's AI talent pool?
India's AI talent pool has surpassed 4 lakhs, reaching 416,000 professionals in 2025.
What is the demand-supply gap in AI talent?
There is a concerning 51% demand-supply gap in India's AI talent market, indicating a significant need for skilled professionals.
Which sectors are driving demand for AI professionals?
The BFSI sector accounts for 24% of AI demand, followed by IT Services and Healthcare.
What roles are most in demand in the AI field?
In-demand roles include data scientists, ML engineers, AI developers, and AI researchers.
What are the average salaries for AI professionals?
Entry-level AI professionals earn between Rs 8-12 LPA, while specialists can earn Rs 25–35 LPA or more.
