Emerging technology is set to transform talent across India's key growth sectors, generating 2.73 million new tech jobs by 2028, according to new research commissioned by ServiceNow, the AI platform for business transformation. Among the world's fastest-growing major economies, India is on track to increase its workforce from 423.73 million in 2023 to 457.62 million by 2028, reflecting a net gain of 33.89 million workers.

The research, commissioned from the global learning company Pearson, shows that the retail sector is expected to lead employment growth, requiring an additional 6.96 million workers to fuel its expansion. This surge offers retail professionals a valuable opportunity to upskill in areas like Software Application Development and Data Engineering, equipping them for a tech-driven landscape. Following retail, the manufacturing sector will see an increase of 1.50 million jobs, education 0.84 million jobs, and healthcare 0.80 million jobs, driven by projected economic growth and tech transformation.

Sumeet Mathur, Senior Vice President & Managing Director of ServiceNow India Technology & Business Center, said, "AI will be a key catalyst for job creation across India's growth engines, particularly in roles requiring advanced technical skills. This strategic emphasis will not only create more high-value opportunities for professionals but also empower them to build enduring digital careers. Through initiatives like 'RiseUp with ServiceNow' and strategic partnerships with local universities and government programmes, we are bridging the skills gap and empowering India's workforce with the tools to succeed. By equipping our talent with these essential skills, we can ensure that India remains a leader in the global tech economy."

Tech Job Demand Soars Amid Industry Transformations  

Tech-related roles are growing across industries, with Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications among sectors poised for expansion. Leading this trend are Software Application Developers, with an expected increase of 109,700 positions. Other notable roles include Systems Software Developers (48,800 new jobs) and Data Engineers (48,500 new jobs). Web Developers, Data Analysts, and Software Testers are also on the rise, with projected additions of 48,500, 47,800, and 45,300 roles, respectively. Data Integration Specialists, Database Architects, Data Scientists, and Computer and Information Systems Managers are expected to see increases ranging from 42,700 to 43,300 positions. The impact of emerging technologies will also be felt across sectors such as energy, government services, and utilities, where technology-driven advancements are fuelling workforce growth.

 Gen AI Reshapes Tech Roles in IT  

Key tech roles were evaluated at a task level to understand the impact of emerging technologies. Among these, Systems Administrators will experience the largest shift, with 6.9 hours of their weekly tasks automated or augmented by emerging technologies. AI Systems Engineers will also benefit significantly, with half of the total tech impact on this role coming directly from AI technologies. Similarly, Implementation Consultants are poised to benefit from Generative AI, saving 1.9 hours per week as AI takes over repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic projects. Even the least impacted role, Platform Owners, could save nearly half an hour each week. Emerging technologies are set to revolutionise roles across the tech ecosystem, enabling professionals to work smarter and faster.

Sumeet Mathur further added, "In its first 120 days of implementing ServiceNow Gen AI, we have achieved $5M+ in annualised cost takeout and an additional $4M+ in productivity across ServiceNow, with minimal technical effort. Currently, 30 per cent of ServiceNow's total AI value comes from Now Assist. We are seeing a 10 per cent boost in weekly productivity hours and an impressive 48 per cent code acceptance rate. Notably, in employee services alone, we have saved 62,000 hours in search time and achieved a 14 per cent boost in employee deflection rate. AI at ServiceNow is helping us be more productive and helping our customers achieve their productivity goals."

Building a Job-Ready Talent Pipeline in India

To harness this momentum, companies and policymakers must make concerted efforts to upskill and ensure a smooth transition to a tech-enabled workforce. The 'RiseUp with ServiceNow' programme is a global initiative focused on equipping young engineers with practical, job-ready skills, aiming to train one million individuals in high-demand digital competencies worldwide by 2024. In India alone, 97,695 individuals have gained skills on the company's AI platform in the last 12 months. ServiceNow has also launched its University Academic Programme, collaborating with 20 universities across 16 states, including partnerships with government bodies, FutureSkills Prime by NASSCOM, and the AICTE. Through these efforts, thousands of students have been trained, creating a pipeline of job-ready talent for the tech industry."