AI may make it harder for India's fresh graduates to get tech jobs

According to Nikkei Asia, Rajesh Nambiar, head of Nasscom, India's top tech industry group, warns that as AI takes over basic coding and software testing, it is getting harder for new college graduates to land tech jobs. The job market may only improve after India's software export companies adjust to the new environment.

He says companies must build new business lines like cybersecurity and AI consulting as traditional work shrinks. Billing is shifting from charging by headcount to charging by results. Universities need to update computer courses, or many graduates will find their skills outdated.

Official data shows India has 5,903 engineering colleges with nearly 2.6 million students. Azim Premji University estimates that unemployed graduates in India grew nearly four times from 2004 to 2023, reaching about 11 million. Nambiar believes 80% to 85% of companies will survive this industry rebalancing.