Archive · 5 Oct 2026
India’s Universities Face Pressure to Rethink Degrees in AI Economy
For a long time, many people believed that getting more degrees would always lead to better jobs.
But some graduates now choose to work instead of immediately studying for another degree.
The article says that having a degree does not always mean someone gets a job that uses their skills.
AI can already do some routine office tasks, so people will need to think carefully, solve problems and communicate well.
Universities can teach these abilities while still offering deep knowledge in subjects like economics, journalism and literature.
Students could also take useful courses from other subjects and learn through work.
That does not mean universities or degrees are no longer important.
It means education may happen in stages, with people studying, working and returning to learn more when they need to.
A dean’s daughter chose to join an AI startup after her undergraduate degree rather than pursue a Master’s.
India’s higher-education enrolment ratio for ages 18 to 23 rose from 23.7 in 2014-15 to 29.5 in 2022-23.
The Economic Survey 2024-25 found 50.3 per cent of graduate workers were in semi-skilled occupations.
The article argues that generative AI makes reasoning, problem solving, communication and adaptability increasingly important.
It urges universities to connect disciplinary study with flexible, assessed learning while preserving academic depth.
- Who
- Indian universities, students and graduates, including a dean’s daughter who chose to join an AI startup.
- What
- The article argues that universities should update degree programmes and provide more flexible ways to combine academic study with relevant skills.
- When
- In the context of changes discussed in the Economic Surveys 2024-25 and 2025-26.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Generative AI is changing workplace tasks, while degrees do not always correspond to work requiring specialised skills.
Further Study and Academic Continuity
Flexible Education and Work
Whether graduates should pursue another degree
Further Study and Academic Continuity
The traditional view treats a Master’s or further study as a valuable step toward greater skills and professional security.
Flexible Education and Work
The article argues that another degree should not be the automatic next step; some graduates may benefit more from entering work or gaining targeted skills.
How universities should respond to AI
Further Study and Academic Continuity
Academic safeguards and disciplinary foundations matter, and curricula should not be rewritten whenever a new technology becomes fashionable.
Flexible Education and Work
Universities should make room for assessed, flexible modules and practitioner collaboration so students can apply their disciplines to changing technologies and work.
- Higher-education enrolment ratio
- For ages 18 to 23, it reached 29.5 in 2022-23, up from 23.7 in 2014-15.
- Graduate workers in semi-skilled occupations
- 50.3 per cent, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
- Graduate workers in specialised-skill occupations
- 38.23 per cent, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
- AI-related education priorities
- The Economic Survey 2025-26 emphasizes reasoning, problem solving, communication and adaptability.
- Existing flexibility mechanisms
- The Academic Bank of Credits and UGC provisions support credit accumulation and transfer, including credits from SWAYAM and NPTEL.
- Proposed approach
- Combine core disciplines with rigorously assessed modules and allow movement between education and work.