99% of Indian employers prioritise GenAI skills over experience, report finds

Indian employers focus on GenAI skills, favouring micro-credentials over traditional experience

India’s job market is undergoing a seismic shift as employers increasingly favour skills over traditional qualifications. According to Coursera’s Micro-Credentials Impact Report 2025, 99% of Indian employers have either adopted or are actively exploring skills-based hiring to address persistent talent shortages. A key driver of this change is the rise of micro-credentials—short, targeted programmes that provide verifiable skills aligned with specific job roles.
The report, based on surveys conducted between December 2024 and January 2025, captures insights from over 2,000 employers and students globally, including India. It reveals that nearly all Indian employers (95%) are more likely to hire candidates with a micro-credential in Generative AI (GenAI), with 9 in 10 stating that such hires demonstrate stronger on-the-job performance. This shift is helping organisations reduce onboarding time and enhance productivity.
Employers prioritise GenAI credentials over experience
The demand for GenAI skills is particularly pronounced. Seventy-nine per cent of Indian employers said they would prefer a less experienced candidate with a GenAI credential over a more experienced one without it. Furthermore, 93% of employers expressed a desire for universities to equip graduates with GenAI competencies suitable for entry-level roles. A resounding 95% believe GenAI skills will offer their organisation a strategic advantage.
This prioritisation reflects broader employer sentiment: 98% say micro-credentials strengthen a candidate’s application, and 93% agree that graduates with micro-credentials are job-ready from day one. Moreover, 97% are open to training their existing workforce using such credentials, underlining their trust in industry-aligned learning.
Micro-credentials prove their value in cost and performance
Employers are also seeing tangible returns from their investment in micro-credential holders. Among companies that have already hired candidates with these qualifications (94%), a remarkable 98% report actual savings in first-year training costs. Most businesses cite reductions of up to 20%. In addition, 95% say that micro-credentials help reduce both onboarding time and associated costs.
The financial incentives extend to candidates as well. An overwhelming 97% of Indian employers are willing to offer higher starting salaries to applicants who hold micro-credentials—one of the highest figures recorded globally.
Micro-credentials reshape academic and student choices
Indian universities are increasingly adopting the National Credit Framework (NCrF), which allows students to earn academic credit for industry-designed micro-credentials. This initiative bridges academic learning with job-relevant skills, aligning with India’s National Education Policy. Institutions such as Vishwakarma University, Model Institute of Engineering and Technology, and IMS Ghaziabad are already incorporating credit-bearing micro-credentials into degree programmes in high-demand areas like AI, cloud computing, and data analytics.

Students are responding positively to these developments. One in three Indian students has already earned a micro-credential. The likelihood of enrolling in a degree programme increases significantly when micro-credentials are offered—rising from 38% to 91%, and even higher when those credentials are credit-bearing or focused on GenAI. A strong 86% believe that earning a micro-credential will help them succeed professionally.
Institutions and employers collaborate to future-proof the workforce
Leading institutions such as KGiSL Educational Institutions are embedding Coursera’s credit-bearing content into their curriculum. Dr Ashok Bakthavathsalam, Chairman and MD of the KGiSL Group of Companies and Institutions, noted that students benefit from real-world career preparation and direct access to over 80 IT and ITeS companies in Coimbatore’s Software Special Economic Zone.
Prashasti Rastogi, Director of Coursera for Campus and Government, India, said, “Micro-credentials have emerged as a powerful tool to prepare students for the workplace… Flexible, affordable, and increasingly recognised for academic credit, they give employers confidence that entry-level hires are ready to contribute from day one.”
As India positions itself as a global hub for skilled talent, micro-credentials are proving essential in bridging the gap between education and employability—transforming both the classroom and the workplace.