Lok Sabha Question No. 1570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: India’s Position in QS World Future Skills Index
Ministry: SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Asked by: Shri Kalyan Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1570

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## INDIA'S POSITION IN QS WORLD FUTURE SKILLS INDEX

1570  SHRI KALYAN BANERJEE :

Will the Minister of SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that India ranks 25 th  in the QS World Future Skills Index 2025 and second in the 'Future of Work' category, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether West Bengal shows strong growth by ranking high in employability (4 th  in 2022) and  being  recognised  as  a  'Front  Runner'  in  the  SDG  Index  2023 -24,  with  91.38  per  cent numerical skills and the highest number of internship seekers in the country, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the strategic initiatives undertaken by the Government to strengthen States according to their rankings and to enhance the female workforce therein?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  SKILL DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

(SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

- (a) :     The QS World Future Skills Index 2025 is designed to assess how prepared countries are to  tackle  the  shifting  demands  of  the  global  workforce,  particularly  in  the  context  of  digital transformation, AI, sustainability, and the broader economic changes impacting jobs. The Index uses four indicators to measure a country's preparedness to thrive in an increasingly skills -driven global economy: -

Future of Work: The Future of Work indicator measures the readiness of a country's job market to recruit for the most in-demand skills of the future. India scored 99.1, Ranking just behind the US in second place, India is one of the leading nations in contributing to the future of work.

Skills  Fit: Skills  Fit  measures  how  well  a  country's  education  systems  align  with  employer demands. India scored 59.1.

Academic  Readiness: Academic  Readiness  measures  how  well  a  country  is  positioned  to deliver the skills necessary for future industries. India scored 89.9.

Economic  Transformation: The  Economic  Transformation  indicator  measures  how  ready  a country's economy is to leverage the next wave of skills -led industrial growth. India scored 58.3.

- (b) :              West  Bengal scored 70 out of 100 in the composite Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Score in SDG India Index 2023-24, an 08 (Eight) point increase from 62 in SDG India Index 2020-21. It moved from "Performer' to 'Front Runner category. The state secured the 17th rank out of 28 states in SDG India Index 2023-24, retaining its rank from the SDG India Index 202021. Currently, the SDG India Index 2023-24 does not have any indicators that capture numerical

skills or the number of individuals seeking internships. Four editions of the SDG India Index have been released so far. The latest edition is available at https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-07/SDG\_India\_Index\_2023-24.pdf

(c): The Government of India has taken proactive steps to improve the employability of the youth of the nation, including women, through skill development. Under the Skill India Mission (SIM), the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) delivers skill, re-skill and up-skill  training  through  an  extensive  network  of  skill  development  centres  under  various schemes, viz. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS), National  Apprenticeship  Promotion  Scheme  (NAPS)  and  Craftsman  Training  Scheme  (CTS) through Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), to all the sections of the society across the country, including women.  SIM aims at enabling the youth of India to get future-ready and equipped with industry-relevant skills.

Further,  to  encourage  participation  of  rural  women  in  skill  development  programs,  special provisions have been made for meeting expenditure on conveyance and boarding & lodging as well as enhanced post placement support.  PMKVY 4.0 prioritizes and provides special focus to projects  that  emphasize women as primary beneficiaries. Special Projects under PMKVY are designed to align with local skill demands, creating opportunities for rural women to participate and  benefit  from  skill  development  schemes.  This  inclusive  approach  ensures  significant representation and benefit for women in skill training programs across the country. Under NAPS, the  introduction  of  trades  in  the  services  sector  (Optional  Trade)  has  led  to  a  significant improvement in women's participation in apprenticeship. Under JSS Scheme, focus is being given to women and other vulnerable sections. Women constitute more than 80% of beneficiaries under JSS.  Also,  there  are  19  National  Skill  Training  Institutes  (NSTIs)  and  more  than  300  ITIs exclusively for women.

MSDE in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, has launched a joint initiative  named  NAVYA -Nurturing  Aspirations  through  Vocational  Training  for  Young Adolescent Girls. NAVYA is a pilot initiative aimed at equipping adolescent girls aged 16-18 years with a minimum qualification of class 10, with vocational training mainly in non-traditional job roles.

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