Why in the News?

PM has expressed his happiness as the QS World Future Skills Index ranks India 2nd for Digital Skills, ahead of Canada and Germany.

About the QS World Future Skills Index

The index is launched by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a London-based higher education firm, the index evaluates countries on their readiness to meet evolving job market demands.
It assesses over 190 countries, analyzing:
- 280 million job postings
- 5 million employer skill demands
- 17.5 million research papers
4 Key Indicators:
- Skills Fit: Alignment between workforce skills and employer demands.
- Academic Readiness: Higher education’s capability to prepare students for future skills.
- Future of Work: Job market readiness for emerging skills in digital, AI, and green technologies.
- Economic Transformation: Capacity for innovation and sustainable growth.
Countries are classified into 4 categories as:
- Future Skills Pioneers
- Practitioners
- Contenders (India’s category)
- Aspirants

India ranks 2nd globally in digital, AI, and green skills, showcasing its leadership in technology and sustainability.
It achieved a perfect score in economic capacity, reflecting strong growth potential.
However, India scored poorly in skills fit (59.1) and sustainability innovation (15.6), highlighting gaps in education and innovation alignment.
Developed nations like the USA, UK, and Germany lead as “future skills pioneers.”

The report serves as a global benchmark for readiness in meeting evolving job market demands.
It highlights the importance of digital, AI, and green skills for future industries.
It provides actionable insights for policy reforms in education and workforce training.
It positions India to address gaps and leverage its strengths to secure a competitive global role.

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