India’s education leaders believe the country’s next big challenge is no longer expanding access but improving employability, strengthening industry alignment and preparing students for an AI-driven future, according to an exclusive ETEducation White Paper 2026 survey.
The survey found that 69.1% education leaders identified curriculum not aligned with industry needs as the biggest barrier to employability, while 71.5% respondents said AI in learning will be the most significant trend shaping education in the coming years.
The survey was conducted as part of ETEducation’s report “India’s Education: 25 Years On, The Road to 2035” and captures the views of 300+ senior education practitioners from across 15+ cities. The respondents included Deans, Directors, Principals, Professors, education industry leaders and government representatives, bringing together perspectives from school education, higher education, policy and the wider education ecosystem.
The findings reflect the sector’s view that while India has made significant progress in expanding educational opportunities, the next phase of growth will depend on improving learning outcomes, workforce readiness and future skills.
Education leaders give India’s education journey a mixed report card
More than half of the respondents (52.8%) described India’s education journey as “significant progress with persistent challenges”, indicating that the sector recognises major expansion but continues to face concerns around quality and effectiveness.
Around 17% respondents considered India’s education transformation significant and transformational, while others pointed towards the need for deeper reforms.
Curriculum-industry mismatch emerges as biggest employability challenge
The strongest message from the survey was around the gap between classroom learning and workplace requirements.
69.1% respondents identified curriculum not aligned with industry needs as the biggest barrier to employability, making it the most prominent concern among education leaders.
The survey also highlights concerns around higher education’s ability to prepare students for careers. Only 8.9% respondents said higher education institutions prepare students “very effectively” for workforce needs, while the majority believe significant improvement is required.
The findings underline the growing demand for curriculum redesign, practical exposure, internships and stronger collaboration between institutions and employers.
AI emerges as the biggest future trend in education
Artificial intelligence is expected to become one of the biggest drivers of education transformation.
71.5% education leaders identified AI in learning as the most important future trend, followed by adaptive learning platforms and hybrid learning models.
The finding indicates that education leaders expect AI to influence personalised learning, assessment, content delivery and student support systems as institutions prepare for the future.
Stronger education-industry integration tops reform priorities
When asked about the reforms required for India’s education sector over the next decade, 59.1% respondents selected stronger education-industry integration as the top priority.
The response highlights the sector’s focus on creating stronger connections between academic learning and workplace requirements.
Digital learning emerges as biggest education achievement
Despite ongoing challenges, respondents recognised technology-led transformation as one of India’s biggest achievements.
Digital learning and EdTech emerged as the top achievement area, with 76.2% respondents selecting it, followed by higher education expansion (66.7%) and NEP 2020 reforms (57.1%).
The exclusive ETEducation survey conducted in March and April this year indicates that India’s education debate is shifting from access to outcomes. As the country moves towards 2035, education leaders believe employability, AI readiness and stronger industry partnerships will define the next phase of transformation.
Read the full ETEducation White Paper 2026: “India’s Education: 25 Years On, The Road to 2035” here. [Download Report]
