Generative AI emerges as the most sought-after skill across all age groups
India, May 12, 2025 — A new survey conducted by Naukri.com on the occasion of National Technology Day brings encouraging news for India’s tech talent: AI upskilling is no longer a future plan — it’s already underway in many workplaces.
The survey, which gathered insights from over 16,000 technology professionals across industries, shows that while self-learning remains a key pathway, a clear shift toward structured upskilling is visible.
AI Upskilling at Work
Nearly 50% professionals reported some level of AI skilling support from their current employers — with one-third confirming active AI training initiatives. From freshers to experienced professionals, the direction is clear: the Indian workforce is leaning into the AI era.
Among freshers, over half of them reported that either some basics have been covered or full-fledged AI training is underway — a sign that companies are beginning to invest early.
Cities like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, long known as tech hubs, are seeing this shift firsthand. Around one-third of professionals (33%) in these cities confirmed that their organizations are actively training them on AI tools — a strong sign of momentum.
Given the nature of work in the IT/Software Services sector, where tech evolution is part of daily operations, professionals in tech roles here are naturally seeing more structured upskilling opportunities compared to their peers in non-IT sectors.
GenAI Takes the Lead as Top Skill — Especially Among Seasoned Professionals
When asked which skill they were betting their careers on, Generative AI topped the list across every experience group — with its popularity growing even stronger at senior levels.
Among professionals with 10–15 years of experience, 42% picked GenAI as their top skill focus, rising to 46% among those with 15+ years.
Other core skills like Cloud, DevOps, and Data Engineering also saw steady interest, especially among early-career professionals — indicating a well-rounded appetite for tech evolution.
Key Concerns of Tech Professionals
While layoffs make headlines, it’s the day-to-day experience at work that’s driving dissatisfaction among tech professionals. According to the survey, only 18% cited layoffs as their biggest concern — but a larger group pointed to concerns like lack of upskilling time, outdated technology, and low salary hikes.
1 in 5 professionals (20%) said they don’t get enough time to upskill. Another 17% cited outdated tech stacks as a key hurdle. A whopping 46% technology professionals noted low salary hikes as one of their key concerns.
