Can India Power the Global Innovation Engine?

In the 5th century CE, a quiet town in Bihar hosted one of the greatest centers of learning the world had ever seen. At Nalanda University, students from across Asia came to study mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and logic. The library was said to house over nine million manuscripts. India was, quite literally, where the world came to learn.

Today, over 1,500 years later, the world is facing a new frontier of knowledge, deep tech: artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, advanced materials, space, and robotics. And a new question is rising:

Can India once again become the global hub for advanced learning, this time, by training the world’s deep-tech workforce?

The Numbers Say Yes. But the Road is Complex.

India’s intellectual tradition has long prized tarka (logic), ganita (mathematics), and vigyan (science). From Aryabhata’s work on planetary motion to Panini’s algorithmic grammar and Bhaskara’s early calculus, Indian thinkers were advancing knowledge systems centuries before the Industrial Revolution.

Fast forward to 2025, and the country finds itself at another critical inflection point, armed with one of the largest pools of STEM talent in the world, yet striving to convert that volume into deep-tech excellence.

The reason?  Over half are unable to secure jobs that match their qualifications due to skill gaps. 

Encouragingly, this is now shifting steadily, with 67% of companies in India planning to hire people from different backgrounds to fill future jobs, focusing more on skills rather than degrees. In fact, 30% of Indian companies are already interested in shifting to skills-based hiring, a sign that the system is slowly adapting. 

To bridge the gap, the emphasis must now be on high-quality skilling, experiential learning, and industry-aligned education pathways that prepare graduates for the evolving demands of the global workforce.

The Curriculum-Industry Disconnect

There is a greater need for more real-world exposure. Semiconductors, AI, quantum computing, and synthetic biology are still missing from most undergraduate syllabi..

Institutions are picking up pace and trying to modernize faculty and curriculum. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and recent UGC guidelines have pushed for the integration of skill-based education and micro-credentials. 

Launched in 2024, the India AI Mission aims to make India a global AI leader by strengthening infrastructure, driving local innovation, and encouraging public-private collaboration. It focuses on building a skilled AI workforce through training programs, academic partnerships, and startup support. 

TalentSprint’s own deep-tech programs are creating job-ready specialists, not just generalists.

India’s Deep-Tech Edge, Where Talent Meets Training 

Globally, there is a massive need for skilled professionals in quantum, AI, robotics, and semiconductors, as shown in the WEF’s Future of Jobs Survey. And the world is watching India. With its talent pool, cost advantage, and digital public infrastructure (like UPI and Aadhaar), India is uniquely placed to become the deep-tech talent factory for the world.

Source: WEF

Indian training programs are innovating deep tech education by blending practical experience with advanced certifications, bridging theory and real-world skills essential for deep tech careers.

Aligning industry to skilling is key. This can be done by linking programs like TalentSprint’s to hiring pipelines, internships, and global mentorships.

The strategic focus on emerging technologies, coupled with India's demographic dividend and established position in the global IT services market, positions the country as the natural choice for organizations seeking to build deep tech capabilities. 

For centuries, India has been a cradle of pioneering ideas and innovation. Now, it’s charging ahead to lead the deep tech revolution. The question is how quickly can India scale its talent and training to meet soaring global demand and build tomorrow’s technology?

The time is now for India’s innovators, educators, and leaders to unite and shape a world powered by homegrown deep tech talent.