India Emerges as Global Talent Engine in AI and STEM, Says FM Nirmala Sitharaman
New Delhi – India has emerged as a dominant force in the global technology and innovation landscape, contributing significantly to the world’s AI, STEM, and software talent, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared during her keynote address at the inaugural CII GCC Business Summit 2025 held in New Delhi.
Speaking at the Special Ministerial Plenary and Report Back session, Sitharaman highlighted India’s growing leadership in Global Capability Centres (GCCs), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) talent.
India Leads in AI, STEM and GCC Workforce
“India currently houses 32% of the global GCC talent pool, 28% of the global STEM workforce, and 23% of the global software engineering talent. We also have among the highest penetration of AI skills globally,” Sitharaman said.
She noted that India's strategic shift in developing and exporting human capital for AI and IT-enabled services has helped solidify its place in the global digital economy. Over the last decade, the country has invested heavily in technical education with the launch of 7 new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and 16 new Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs).
Further highlighting India’s inclusivity in tech, she added, “India boasts a 42.7% female participation in STEM education, which complements the 35% female workforce presence in GCCs.”
India’s GCC Revolution: From Back-Office to Global Innovation Hubs
Finance Minister Sitharaman stressed that India's 1,800 Global Capability Centres, which collectively employ 2.16 million professionals, have transitioned from being back-office support providers to becoming strategic centres of innovation and leadership.
These GCCs have added $68 billion to India’s GDP, with projections suggesting they could contribute between $150 billion to $200 billion by 2030.
“It took over 30 years to reach 1,000 GCCs since 1985. But in the last decade alone, 800 new GCCs have been established. Over 50% of Fortune 500 companies now operate from India, drawn by our deep talent pool, competitive costs, and a mature ecosystem,” Sitharaman said.
The Government’s Policy Support
The Finance Minister detailed the efforts being made by the government to simplify approval processes, offer tax certainty including on Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs), and improve administrative support across departments.
She strongly encouraged investments in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, citing them as the next growth hotspots for GCC expansion.
The Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) was showcased as a model of regulatory ease, offering world-class infrastructure and a business-friendly ecosystem. “India must not lose this opportunity. The government pledges its full support to power the GCC growth story,” she asserted.
Youth Training and Skilling
Sitharaman also highlighted that more than 1.6 crore youth have been trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), preparing them for careers in cutting-edge fields like AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and data analytics.
“Our vision is clear: we are not just preparing for the future; we are building it,” she concluded.
Industry and Policy Leaders Applaud
CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee commended the government’s visionary leadership, stating that the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is committed to supporting the GCC sector’s growth and ensuring India maintains its position not only in scale but also in innovation and strategic importance.
Earlier in the day, Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal stressed the role of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in supporting the GCC ecosystem. Highlighting the India-UK FTA, he said it contains a special chapter on innovation, aimed at bolstering technological collaboration between nations.
He explained, “With the services sector gaining prominence, FTAs are now more critical than ever for the GCC ecosystem. They help in harmonising regulatory practices and promoting institutional cooperation.”
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
India’s dominance in AI, STEM, and the GCC ecosystem isn’t just a national achievement—it’s a global benchmark. The government’s commitment to infrastructure, gender inclusivity, Tier 2/3 city development, and skilling the youth clearly positions India as a world leader in tech-driven innovation. As we move toward 2030, the opportunity to lead in value, vision, and innovation is right within our grasp.