India’s evolving job market needs both technical and soft skills: Deloitte directors

By Preeti Khemka and Yagesh Singhania

India’s job market is undergoing a rapid transformation, fueled by technological advancements, evolving skill demands, and shifting employer priorities. Work’s changing fast, not slowly. Things that used to take years to change entire industries now happen in months. Work isn’t just about a job description or a workplace anymore. It’s now a mix of skills, being able to change, and having a purpose. As we look ahead to 2025, understanding these dynamics is crucial for both job seekers and companies aiming to thrive in the nation’s competitive landscape.

In today’s dynamic landscape, work is undergoing a rapid transformation — driven by technological advancements, globalisation, and evolving business models. As a result, the skills in demand are shifting. What employers value today is beyond qualifications, they seek agility, creativity, and continuous learning. This calls for employees to proactively upskill, embrace lifelong learning, and align themselves with emerging roles and opportunities.

Also read H-1B visa fee hike may 'negatively impact’ domestic placements at engineering colleges

Tech tide in India

Technology is reshaping every sector of the Indian economy, bolstered by initiatives like “Digital India” and “Make in India.” Automation and AI are transforming roles, creating new opportunities, and demanding a digitally adept workforce. Companies aren’t just using tech; they’re rebuilding how they work because of it.

From agriculture to finance to healthcare, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cloud computing are dramatically reshaping processes and workflows. This transformation is not just confined to traditionally tech-heavy industries; even sectors with a strong historical dependence on manual processes are witnessing increased automation to promote productivity. According to NASSCOM, India’s AI sector is projected to contribute $450-500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025, highlighting the monumental impact of technology on the Indian economy.

Shifting skills landscape

Across industries, technology is reshaping job roles. In manufacturing, skills are shifting toward robotics and IoT; in agriculture, toward drone operation and data analytics; in healthcare, toward AI diagnostics and digital patient management; in retail, toward e-commerce and CRM tools; and in finance, toward fintech, cybersecurity, and AI modeling.

As per a Deloitte-NASSCOM report titled Advancing India’s AI Skills, the AI market is expected to grow at 25%-35%, potentially signaling a demand-supply gap in the talent pool and a need for upskilling existing talent.

As per the same report, about 60% of workers and 71% of GenZs recognise that acquiring AI skills can enhance their career prospects. Additionally, two of three Indians plan to learn at least one digital skill, with AI and machine learning (ML) topping the list.

India’s rapidly evolving job market is marked by a widening skills gap, with employers struggling to find candidates who possess both the technical expertise, and the essential soft skills needed to thrive in a digitally driven environment.

While technical proficiency in areas like data analytics, cloud computing, and cybersecurity remains highly sought after, employers are increasingly prioritising candidates who can collaborate effectively, solve complex problems, and demonstrate strong emotional intelligence.

According to Deloitte India’s “Human Capital Trends” report 2025, the demand for individuals with a combination of digital fluency and uniquely human skills is accelerating as automation reshapes roles and industries. This suggests a shift away from a purely skills-based approach to hiring and a greater emphasis on potential, learnability, and the ability to contribute to a collaborative and inclusive workplace.

This is further validated through the Deloitte Campus Workforce Trends 2025 report which highlights that engineers are increasingly blending tech know-how with management thinking — an intentional shift that reflects a desire to move from execution to strategy, from coders to future leaders. A compelling 87% of engineers surveyed are actively pursuing upskilling opportunities to stay competitive in an evolving tech landscape.

Deloitte: Employer expectations

Companies aren’t just looking for someone to fill a job. They want people who can learn, change, and add to the company’s vibe. That’s why it’s increasingly important to be able to adapt, learn new things, and share the company’s values. Many companies are now using systems that focus on what someone can do, not where they went to school or what their job title was. Employee engagement, well-being and flexibility are also becoming top priorities, particularly as younger generations enter the workforce.

Also read IIT Madras’ hybrid BS Data Science welcomes all with ‘inclination to learn’

As per the Deloitte Future of Work Insights, the gap between employer expectations and employee aspirations is becoming increasingly pronounced in today’s evolving workplace. Traditional workplace models no longer align with the changing nature of work and worker priorities. Employees now seek greater flexibility in how, when, and where they work, while many organisations still operate with legacy structures and metrics focused on productivity rather than human performance. This disparity highlights a critical gap in understanding the value of workplace flexibility.

Learning is a continuous process. This involves creating personalised learning paths and connecting learning to career growth. Instead of climbing the corporate ladder, many companies are using systems, where moving across different departments and roles is encouraged. Moving around within the company isn’t a last resort; it’s part of the plan.

Future-proof career

India’s dynamic job market is evolving at an unprecedented pace, presenting both challenges and immense opportunities. To thrive in this future of work, professionals and companies must embrace technological innovation, foster continuous skill development, and build greater alignment between aspirations and expectations. As an employee, by continuously learning (soft + technical skills) and adapting, you can future-proof your career and contribute to India’s economic growth.

The authors are directors at Deloitte India. This piece first appeared in the 200th issue of the Careers360 magazine, published in August 2025.