A NetApp report reveals a global AI race where ambition often outstrips execution. The US leads with aligned AI deployment, while China faces internal disconnects. India and the UK show promise with strong leadership alignment and optimism. Concerns remain about inadequate data strategies potentially leading to AI failures.

A Cushman & Wakefield report reveals that government skill initiatives are failing to effectively reach manufacturing MSMEs, with 71% of small firms reporting no benefit from these programs. While infrastructure spending positively influences capex plans and improves logistics access, challenges like high costs and skill gaps persist, hindering long-term competitiveness and MSME productivity.

The report Skills for the Future: Transforming Indias Workforce Landscape, prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness and released by Jayant Chaudhary, the minister of state (independent charge) for skill development and entrepreneurship on Friday, recommended a dedicated, standardized data collection system to generate estimates about skill requirements and enable targeted evidence-based reforms and policies.

Indian GCCs are increasingly prioritizing employee upskilling to evolve beyond support roles and drive global innovation. Companies like Walmart, SAP, and Intuit are launching academies and platforms to train employees in AI, cloud computing, and data analytics. These initiatives aim to empower the workforce, accelerate development, and strengthen capabilities for both local and global transformation.

Artificial Intelligence is now part of daily work. India leads in AI adoption, but many worry about job losses. A report suggests companies should redesign workflows to fully use AI. Training is essential, especially for frontline workers. Many employees use AI tools without permission, raising security concerns. Leadership guidance is crucial for successful AI integration.

A new Mercer Marsh Benefits report reveals high well-being among Indian employees, but rising expectations for flexibility, personalised benefits, and long-term support. Employers are seen as key providers of affordable healthcare, especially through OPD, preventive care, and telemedicine.

A recent study by Deel reveals that a significant portion of India's Gen Z white-collar workforce, particularly in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, are dissatisfied with their current salaries despite experiencing the fastest salary growth globally. This unhappiness stems from inflation, below-market compensation, and limited career opportunities compared to older colleagues.

IISER IAT 2025 result: The IISERs have announced the IAT 2025 results, accessible on iiseradmission.in. While all candidates with at least one mark received a rank, it doesn't guarantee admission. Counselling registration starts June 26, with seat allocation based on rank, preferences, and category. Candidates must respond to admission offers promptly to avoid disqualification.

Corporate India seeks leaders adept at navigating volatility, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions. Companies prioritize candidates with experience in managing complexity, pivoting quickly, and demonstrating tech fluency. The focus is shifting towards qualitative factors like leadership style, entrepreneurial thinking, and agility, alongside a need for global outlook and supply chain expertise.

Indian companies are actively fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion through strategic initiatives. Firms are expanding hiring via specialized sourcing, mentorship, and workshops on gender identity. Manufacturing, pharma, and retail sectors are initiating DEI councils, leading to increased representation at all levels, including leadership roles, marking a significant shift towards workplace diversity.

A clash between the Panjab University's LLB entrance test and the Himachal Pradesh Administrative Service Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination, both scheduled for June 29, has created a dilemma for students. Applicants who have registered for both exams are now forced to choose, prompting calls for rescheduling from students in Himachal Pradesh to both the state government and Panjab University.

India's blue-collar gig economy experienced a significant surge, with a 92% year-on-year increase in 2024, driven by e-commerce and platform-based services. Cities like Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata saw over 100% growth in delivery job postings. Applications for gig roles also rose by 63%, indicating a growing acceptance of this work as a viable career option, especially among graduates.

While the number of students failing Class 10 and 12 boards decreased to 51.27 lakh in 2024, Open School pass rates remain low. Meghalaya, J&K, and Himachal Pradesh had the lowest pass percentages. Positively, more girls are choosing Science, prompting discussions on improving higher education access locally. Class 10 pass rates improved over the decade, except in Karnataka and J&K.

AI's rapid advancement raises concerns about widespread job displacement, despite promises of new roles in AI-related fields. Socio-economic barriers hinder many workers from transitioning, potentially widening economic disparities. Policymakers must address these challenges through robust social protection and reskilling initiatives to mitigate long-term unemployment and underemployment, especially among mid-career professionals.

A recent survey reveals a disconnect between AI's promise and its actual impact in the workplace. While employees are using AI, many lack proper training and are deploying it inappropriately, even for tasks requiring emotional intelligence. This leads to skepticism about AI's reliability and hinders its potential to boost productivity, highlighting the need for better education and clear guidelines.

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The Railway Ministry has approved the recruitment of 6,374 technicians across 51 categories, including posts in the signal and telecommunication (S&T) department. This move will cover all 17 zones and several production units.

A recent survey by Unispace reveals that Indian life sciences companies are proactively developing technologically advanced, adaptable, and sustainable lab environments. Indian leaders prioritize smart technologies and energy efficiency, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to align labs with long-term strategic goals. While collaboration is supported, there's room for improvement in enabling teamwork between dispersed teams.

Indian job postings experienced a significant rebound in May, increasing by 8.9% after a period of decline. While still slightly below last year's levels, postings remain considerably higher than pre-pandemic figures, driven by the formalization of the Indian economy. Growth is seen across various sectors, with generative AI skills increasingly in demand, particularly in tech and data analytics roles.

Corporate boards are increasingly involved in talent management, extending their focus beyond CEO succession to encompass broader leadership development. A recent survey indicates boards dedicate significant time to talent strategies, yet many CHROs view them primarily as governance bodies. Challenges persist in preparing future-ready leaders, with concerns about internal talent readiness and securing strong leadership sponsorship, impacting overall organizational performance.

Indian recruiters are increasingly prioritizing the quality of hires over speed, investing heavily in AI-driven recruitment tools. A LinkedIn report reveals that companies are leveraging data analytics to find candidates with transferable skills and ensure cultural fit. This shift aims to improve business outcomes and reduce the costs associated with recruitment delays, as recruiters evolve into strategic career advisors.

A recent TeamLease Edtech report reveals a significant trend of Indian professionals self-funding upskilling initiatives, with 46% choosing this route despite only 23.9% of employers offering full sponsorship. The survey of over 14,000 professionals indicates that 84% engaged in upskilling, leading to positive appraisal outcomes for 64%. Notably, 42% experienced career advancements within 18 months, highlighting upskilling's impact.

Upskilling has become essential for career growth, with professionals who invest in learning programs experiencing significantly higher appraisal increments. The skills gap, affecting both technical and soft skills, poses a challenge to business transformation. Continuous learning is crucial for staying relevant, unlocking opportunities, and securing a place in the evolving economy, benefiting both individuals and organizations.

This IIT Delhi Certificate Programme in Design Thinking and Innovation equips professionals, entrepreneurs, and students with the tools to solve real-world problems creatively and scalably. With a focus on human-centric design, Gen AI integration, and startup success stories, it bridges academia and industry, enabling learners to develop market-ready solutions in a rapidly evolving economy.

Indian companies show strong hiring intentions for the July-September quarter, ranking second globally behind the UAE, according to a ManpowerGroup survey. Despite a slight dip from last quarter, hiring outlook is driven by growth in IT, energy, utilities, and financial sectors, fueled by digital transformation and shifts in global trade.

Recent data has revealed a significant increase in job openings in tier-2 cities, with hiring rates more than doubling those in metropolitan areas. The Randstad Talent Insights Report 2025 highlights key sectors such as BFSI, manufacturing, retail, and IT driving this trend.

AI's rapid advancement threatens entry-level white-collar jobs, potentially disrupting traditional career paths. Experts predict significant displacement in coding, paralegal, and analyst roles, impacting recent graduates. The focus shifts towards human skills, AI literacy, and entrepreneurial ventures as crucial for navigating the evolving job market, emphasizing adaptability and continuous learning.

The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has launched an upgraded 'mySSC app' enabling government job aspirants to complete the entire application process, including Aadhaar authentication, directly from their Android phones. This initiative, starting June 2025, aims to simplify the application process, especially for candidates in rural areas, by eliminating the need for intermediaries and enhancing accessibility.

A recent report highlights that talent retention is the biggest challenge for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India, with 51% identifying it as a top concern. High talent mobility is driven by limited career growth, compensation gaps, and work-life balance issues. The churn is most acute among younger professionals seeking diverse experiences and rapid growth.

White-collar hiring in India remains strong, with steady MoM and notable YoY growth, led by sectors like consumer electronics (70% YoY) and logistics. Senior roles saw a 36% rise, with Mumbai topping city-wise growth. Diversity hiring surged 53% in two years, with women now forming 68% of such hires. Tier-2 cities are catching up, and demand stays high across experience levels.

After a stagnant 2024, campus hiring is showing signs of recovery with rising salary offers, particularly for MBAs and BTech graduates. The Deloitte report indicates median salaries are expected to increase, driven by pent-up demand and skill-based recruitment. Sectors like private equity and renewable energy are fueling this growth, with variable pay becoming a standard feature in compensation packages.

Despite engineers driving AI adoption in India, they express anxiety about its impact on their careers, contrasting with the optimism of MBA and B Com graduates. The rise in job switching is fueled by technological disruption, competition, and unmet salary expectations.

A Michael Page report reveals high job mobility in India, with 62% of professionals negotiating raises and 37% succeeding. Professionals prioritize purpose, ethics, and flexibility, driving proactive career management. While GenAI adoption is high, only 31% feel prepared, highlighting the need for structured training and clear communication from employers to retain talent.

India's green sector is poised for substantial growth, projecting 7.29 million jobs by FY28 and 35 million by 2047, driven by investments in renewable energy, EVs, and sustainable practices. While metros lead, tier II and III cities will host a significant portion of these jobs.

In May, the job landscape for white-collar professionals in India remained steady. The Naukri JobSpeak Index indicated a modest uptick, signaling positive trends. Roles in AI and machine learning surged, particularly in urban centers like Delhi NCR and Chennai. There was a strong demand for experienced professionals, especially within the oil and gas and real estate sectors.

In JEE (Advanced) 2025, 54378 candidates qualified, with Rajit Gupta topping the CRL. Devdutta Majhi secured the top rank among female candidates. IIT Hyderabad zone has the highest number of qualified candidates, while IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi zones lead in top 100 ranks. IIT Kanpur conducted the examination.

Sahaj Retail Ltd and Techno India Group have partnered to launch a blue-collar skilling initiative, aiming to train one lakh youth in rural and semi-urban areas across five states. The program, titled Sahaj-Techno Blue Collar Jobs, will focus on providing vocational skills aligned with industry needs, targeting unemployed, underemployed, and school dropout populations with affordable training and placement opportunities.

India faces a critical juncture with AI's rapid integration, balancing economic growth and potential job displacement. HR leaders must champion responsible AI adoption, focusing on human skills like judgment and empathy alongside technological advancements. Prioritising reskilling, ethical AI usage, and corporate-academia partnerships is crucial to harness India's demographic dividend and build a human-centric future.

Fresh graduates from India's top colleges face a tough placement season as major recruiters significantly reduce intake due to global economic headwinds and evolving industry needs. Companies cite recessionary trends, AI disruptions, and a preference for experienced candidates, leading to delayed offers and increased uncertainty for students. Colleges are adapting curricula to better prepare students for specialized roles.

Indian executives are increasingly prioritizing well-being by integrating physical activity into their workday. From walking meetings to exercise snacking, leaders are finding creative ways to stay fit amidst demanding schedules. Companies are embedding wellness into their culture, promoting movement breaks and prioritizing employee health, recognizing its positive impact on decision-making and overall performance.

IT CEOs have indicated that AI-led productivity is changing the business model, with revenue growth and headcount growth being de-linked. The last couple of years, we have been challenging our teams on how you can deliver twice the revenue and half of the people, said HCLTech CEO C Vijayakumar in February.

Despite recent layoffs impacting software engineers, Microsoft's Aparna Chennapragada insists coding remains vital. She views AI as an evolution, not a replacement, suggesting engineers will transition into software operators. While AI automates tasks, particularly in idea generation, project management roles may shift towards taste-making and editing, reflecting Microsoft's investment in AI infrastructure.

Guenter Butschek, former CEO of Tata Motors, has been made a non-executive, non-independent director at the company. Bharat Puri, who recently retired as MD of Pidilite, has been retained as a non-executive, nonindependent director. Former Jaguar Land Rover CEO Thierry Yves Henri Bollore is now non-executive chairman of group company Tata AtoComp. HK Agarwal, former MD of Grasim Industries, is an advisor to the company board.

Students in government primary schools faced confusion during final exams as question papers were nearly identical to those from the previous year, despite a syllabus change. Teachers and education department officials acknowledged the issue and assured an investigation is underway.

A diplomatic firestorm erupted after a heated exchange between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office. As global leaders scrambled to make sense of the clash, an earlier remark by India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar resurfaced, striking a chord. His comment about India's need for out of syllabus foreign policy in response to Trump's unpredictable leadership gained fresh relevance.