Parliament Question: Job loss due to automation and AI

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3138 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19TH MARCH, 2026 JOB LOSS DUE TO AUTOMATION AND AI 3138. SHRI RAJINDER GUPTA: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has made sector-wise estimations of job losses likely to result from automation and integration of Artificial Intelligence in the economy; (b) if so, the details thereof, including the sectors identified as most vulnerable to displacement; (c) whether Government has identified strategies to mitigate job losses and rehabilitate displaced workers, including reskilling and upskilling programmes; (d) if so, the details thereof, including the number of workers targeted and agencies responsible for implementation; and (e) the measures proposed to ensure that the transition to automation does not adversely impact livelihoods, with particular attention to workers in the unorganised sector? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (e): As per the NASSCOM report “Advancing India‟s AI skills” published on August 2024, the AI talent in India is expected to grow from 6 lakh – 6.5 lakh professionals to more than 12.50 lakh professionals by the year 2027 at a 15 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Artificial Intelligence (AI) may result in job creation in various streams like data science, data curation, etc. So far, 8.65 lakh candidates have enrolled/trained in various courses including 3.20 lakh candidates in AI/Big Data Analytics technologies. Reskilling and upskilling initiatives are being undertaken through multiple national programmes that support workforce transition, redeployment, and preparedness for emerging job roles.Further, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated „FutureSkills PRIME‟ a programme for Re- skilling/Up-skilling of IT Manpower for Employability in 10 new/emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence. Under the programme, so far, more than 27.53+ lakh candidates have registered on the portal, out of which there have been 17.24+ lakh candidates enrolled/trained in various courses. In addition, under the Scheme of Centers of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence implemented by MeitY in partnership with NASSCOM, Startups are supported for developing AI based tools and applications that are of use for manufacturing companies. Several such solutions have been deployed by companies in manufacturing sector. Besides, National e-Governance Division (NeGD), MeitY in collaboration with its partners, has implemented „YUVAi: Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI‟- A National Programme for School Students with the objective of enabling school students from classes 8th to 12th with AI tech and social skills in an inclusive manner. The programme provides a platform for youth to learn and apply AI skills in 8 thematic areas- Krishi, Aarogya, Shiksha, Paryavaran, Parivahan, Grameen Vikas, Smart Cities and Vidhi aur Nyaay. Government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Short-Term Training (STT) with embedded On-the-Job Training (OJT) and up-skilling and re-skilling through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) to equip youth with industry-relevant skills and also train them in emerging and new-age job roles. Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, is running the National Career Service (NCS) Portal which is a one-stop solution for providing career related services including information on jobs from private and government sectors, online & offline job fairs, job search & matching, career counselling, vocational guidance, skill development courses, skill/training programmes etc. through a digital platform [www.ncs.gov.in]. *****