India Ranks 13th Globally in AI Readiness, Emerges as South Asia's Top Performer in QS World Future Skills Index 2027

India has secured the 13th position globally in AI economy readiness in the QS World Future Skills Index 2027, emerging as the highest-ranked lower-middle-income country and the top-performing nation in South Asia. The latest report highlights India's rapid progress in artificial intelligence (AI), supported by strong economic growth, rising investments, and increasing AI adoption across industries.

One of the key highlights of the report is India's perfect score of 100 in the Economic Capacity category, reflecting the country's strong GDP growth, expanding AI infrastructure, and growing investment ecosystem. According to the report, India had attracted nearly $90 billion in AI investments as of February 2026, making it one of the fastest-growing AI markets globally.

The report also places India fifth worldwide in the Future of Work category, recognising the increasing adoption of AI technologies by businesses and the growing demand for AI-related jobs across sectors. The ranking reflects India's accelerating transition towards an AI-driven economy and its expanding role in the global technology landscape.

However, the report also highlights areas requiring attention. India ranked 18th in Skills Alignment and 22nd in Academic Readiness, indicating that higher education institutions and training providers need to further strengthen AI-focused education and develop industry-ready talent to meet the demands of the evolving workforce.

The findings suggest that while India's economy and businesses are rapidly embracing artificial intelligence, bridging the AI skills gap will be critical for sustaining long-term growth and maintaining global competitiveness.

The QS World Future Skills Index 2027 evaluates countries on their preparedness for the future economy by assessing economic capacity, workforce readiness, skills alignment, and academic preparedness. India's performance underscores its emergence as a leading AI economy among developing nations while highlighting the importance of continued investment in future-ready education and workforce development.

With strong economic fundamentals, growing AI adoption, and significant investment inflows, India continues to strengthen its position as one of the world's fastest-growing artificial intelligence ecosystems. The report notes that enhancing academic readiness and aligning education with industry requirements will be essential for the country to fully realise its AI ambitions in the years ahead.