A Naukri report finds 77% of Indian professionals use AI at work, AI skill demand in tech jobs has grown 17 times since 2020, and AI-skilled workers earn notably higher salaries.
Artificial intelligence has moved from a niche capability to a core workplace skill in India. According to Naukri’s World AI Day Report 2026, 77 per cent of Indian professionals now use AI at work, and those with AI skills are earning significantly higher salaries than peers without them. The findings paint a picture of a job market being rapidly reshaped by AI adoption across both tech and non-tech roles.
AI Demand in Job Descriptions Has Exploded
The report found that demand for AI expertise in technology jobs has risen nearly 17 times since 2020. AI-related skills now appear in 15.4 per cent of tech job descriptions, a sharp jump from just 0.9 per cent in 2020.
The shift is not limited to technology roles. Mentions of AI skills in non-tech job descriptions have grown about six-fold, from 0.26 per cent to 1.59 per cent over the same period, showing that AI adoption is spreading well beyond traditional tech functions.
The findings are based on a survey of nearly 27,000 professionals across more than 80 industries and 15 Indian cities, combined with an analysis of over three lakh job descriptions and hiring data from the online recruitment platform.
Adoption Is High, but Training Lags Behind
Despite AI becoming a mainstay in workplaces, the report highlights a clear gap between adoption and organisational readiness:
- Only 35 per cent of professionals said they received formal AI training from their employers.
- Another 23 per cent rely on self-learning to build AI capabilities.
- About 21 per cent are still waiting for their organisations to provide training.
This means a majority of India’s AI-using workforce is learning the technology without structured employer support, even as companies increasingly expect AI proficiency.
Specialised AI Skills Are Driving Hiring
Hiring demand is tilting toward specialised AI expertise rather than basic familiarity. Recruiter searches for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) skills grew 4.8 times year-on-year, the fastest among AI skills tracked. Other high-growth areas include Azure AI at 2.9 times, Large Language Models at 2.4 times, AI Solutions at 2.1 times, and Prompt Engineering at 1.6 times.
The report also notes an uptick in hiring for specialised roles such as AI product managers, AI solution architects, AI platform engineers, and AI trainers.
The AI Salary Advantage in Numbers
Professionals with AI skills earn higher median salaries across both IT and non-IT roles, and AI-enabled roles have recorded stronger salary growth over the past four years.
| Professional Segment | With AI Skills (Median Salary) | Without AI Skills (Median Salary) |
|---|---|---|
| IT professionals | Rs 13.7 lakh | Rs 11.9 lakh |
| Non-IT professionals | Rs 11.3 lakh | Rs 7.5 lakh |
The gap is especially striking in non-IT roles, where AI-skilled professionals earn nearly Rs 3.8 lakh more than peers without such skills.
Senior Professionals Are in Highest Demand
AI hiring is becoming increasingly senior-focused. Demand grew fastest among professionals with 13 to 16 years of experience, where AI hiring rose 39 per cent year-on-year, followed by those with over 16 years of experience at 35 per cent.
Recruiter demand also climbed sharply for high-paying roles in the Rs 40-49 lakh and Rs 50 lakh-plus salary brackets. This suggests organisations are prioritising experienced professionals who can lead AI transformation efforts rather than only hiring entry-level AI talent.
Professionals Are Taking Charge of Upskilling
Workers are not waiting for employers to catch up. Nearly 79 per cent of respondents said they are already learning AI or plan to start soon. Notably, more than half, at 52 per cent, of professionals with over 15 years of experience are actively upskilling in AI, showing that even the most senior workers see AI capability as essential to staying relevant.
The overall message from the report is clear: AI proficiency is fast becoming a baseline expectation in the Indian job market, and it carries a measurable salary premium. For professionals at every career stage, investing in AI skills now appears to be one of the most direct paths to better pay and stronger career prospects.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Naukri's World AI Day Report 2026, 77 per cent of Indian professionals now use AI at work, based on a survey of nearly 27,000 professionals across more than 80 industries and 15 cities.
Yes. The report shows IT professionals with AI skills earn a median salary of Rs 13.7 lakh compared to Rs 11.9 lakh without, while non-IT professionals with AI skills earn Rs 11.3 lakh versus Rs 7.5 lakh for those without.
Recruiter searches for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) skills grew 4.8 times year-on-year, followed by Azure AI at 2.9x, Large Language Models at 2.4x, AI Solutions at 2.1x, and Prompt Engineering at 1.6x.