India's edtech industry must bridge the gap: 70% AI-proficient but only 23% AI-native

For the Indian edtech sector, which has already capitalized on the democratization of coding and data science, the Nasscom findings represent both a validation and a warning. With nearly 70% of early-career tech workers being AI-proficient, the K-12 and upskilling platforms have clearly succeeded in spreading basic AI literacy. But the stark drop-off to only 23% AI-native indicates that the next frontier isn't about teaching more people to use ChatGPT — it's about building rigorous curricula that instill engineering depth, system thinking, and the ability to independently architect AI solutions. This is where edtech can differentiate and create value, partnering with industry to offer project-based learning that turns AI users into AI creators.

India is emerging as a frontrunner in the global race for AI-native tech talent, according to a landmark report from the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom). The study, titled 'The State of AI-Native Talent in India: Decoding the Readiness of India's Early-Career Technology Workforce', reveals that nearly 70% of India’s early-career technology professionals are already AI-proficient, while 23% meet the stricter definition of 'AI-native'. This suggests that artificial intelligence is not just being adopted but is becoming deeply embedded in how young Indian technologists work, learn, and make decisions. The data paints a picture of a workforce racing to integrate AI into its skill set, positioning India as a potential leading supplier of AI-capable engineers to the world.

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With nearly 70% of early-career tech workers being AI-proficient, the K-12 and upskilling platforms have clearly succeeded in spreading basic AI literacy.

However, the report introduces an important nuance: AI skills penetration is not synonymous with being AI-native. Nasscom defines AI-native talent as individuals who not only use AI tools but possess strong engineering fundamentals, critical AI judgment, and the ability to orchestrate AI systems independently. The newly introduced Nasscom AI-Native Talent Index is a structured industry benchmark designed to measure these deeper competencies. The finding that only about a quarter of the AI-proficient cohort qualifies as truly native highlights a critical skills gap. Sangeeta Gupta, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Nasscom, warns that without a rigorous framework like this index, the industry risks producing an AI-reliant workforce that lacks the deeper problem-solving and design skills needed for innovation.

The implications are far-reaching. For India, which already boasts one of the world’s largest pools of tech talent, the ability to scale AI-native professionals could attract massive investment from global tech giants seeking to set up R&D centers, AI labs, and product teams. The index also provides a measurable benchmark for companies to assess and train their employees, moving beyond superficial AI course completion to demonstrable competence. Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing stand to benefit if they can tap into a workforce that can build and deploy AI solutions responsibly and creatively.