How Indian professionals are funding their own AI upskilling
Bengaluru-based Simplilearn has 6-7 million learners in India, of whom 89 per cent pay for their courses rather than wait for employer-sponsored training
At Bengaluru-based Simplilearn, enrolments in AI courses have been growing by more than 40 per cent year on year, with some programmes, such as Agentic AI, recording over 100 per cent growth. Among its most popular offerings are courses on Generative AI, Agentic AI and multi-agent systems, as well as AI courses for product managers, business analysts and digital marketers.
According to Simplilearn's Professional Sentiment Survey 2026, while 85 per cent of professionals regularly use AI at work, only 26 per cent feel adequately prepared for AI-driven careers.
Simplilearn currently has over 15 million learners across 50 countries, including 6-7 million from India, says Krishna Kumar, founder and CEO of Simplilearn. “Today, 65 per cent of our revenue comes from AI-related courses,” he says.
Of the 6-7 million learners in India, 89 per cent pay for the courses themselves, indicating that professionals are taking responsibility for their own upskilling rather than waiting for employer-sponsored training, says Kumar. He adds that, unlike in the US, where employers often reimburse employees for professional learning, Indian professionals largely finance their own upskilling.
AI is currently augmenting existing jobs while gradually creating new specialist roles. As a result, professionals are enrolling in these courses to advance in their current careers or prepare for new AI-focused roles. Around 50 per cent of Simplilearn's learners are upskilling for their existing jobs while 30-35 per cent are preparing for new AI-driven opportunities.
Professionals with more than eight years of experience account for 45 per cent of Simplilearn's active learner base. Mid-career professionals are showing the highest levels of engagement, reflecting the growing need to remain relevant in an AI-driven workplace.
While around 50 per cent of Simplilearn's learners come from the technology sector, the other half now come from non-technology industries such as BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), manufacturing, retail, healthcare and consulting, all of which are increasingly investing in AI skills. The platform's paid courses cost an average of Rs 50,000 and typically run for 4 to 10 months.
Simplilearn also offers a free learning platform, SkillUp, with more than 1,000 courses. The key difference between the free and paid offerings is that paid programmes include live instructor-led classes, project evaluations, one-on-one feedback and certifications. Around 70,000 to 80,000 learners complete courses on the platform every month.
The company is also partnering with the government of India's Mission Karmayogi initiative, which aims to provide continuous capacity-building and digital learning for government employees. “The government wants to create a common platform for upskilling its employees, and we are participating in that initiative,” says Kumar.
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At Bengaluru-based Simplilearn, enrolments in AI courses have been growing by more than 40 per cent year on year, with some programmes, such as Agentic AI, recording over 100 per cent growth. Among its most popular offerings are courses on Generative AI, Agentic AI and multi-agent systems, as well as AI courses for product managers, business analysts and digital marketers.
According to Simplilearn's Professional Sentiment Survey 2026, while 85 per cent of professionals regularly use AI at work, only 26 per cent feel adequately prepared for AI-driven careers.
Simplilearn currently has over 15 million learners across 50 countries, including 6-7 million from India, says Krishna Kumar, founder and CEO of Simplilearn. “Today, 65 per cent of our revenue comes from AI-related courses,” he says.
Of the 6-7 million learners in India, 89 per cent pay for the courses themselves, indicating that professionals are taking responsibility for their own upskilling rather than waiting for employer-sponsored training, says Kumar. He adds that, unlike in the US, where employers often reimburse employees for professional learning, Indian professionals largely finance their own upskilling.
AI is currently augmenting existing jobs while gradually creating new specialist roles. As a result, professionals are enrolling in these courses to advance in their current careers or prepare for new AI-focused roles. Around 50 per cent of Simplilearn's learners are upskilling for their existing jobs while 30-35 per cent are preparing for new AI-driven opportunities.
Professionals with more than eight years of experience account for 45 per cent of Simplilearn's active learner base. Mid-career professionals are showing the highest levels of engagement, reflecting the growing need to remain relevant in an AI-driven workplace.
While around 50 per cent of Simplilearn's learners come from the technology sector, the other half now come from non-technology industries such as BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), manufacturing, retail, healthcare and consulting, all of which are increasingly investing in AI skills. The platform's paid courses cost an average of Rs 50,000 and typically run for 4 to 10 months.
Simplilearn also offers a free learning platform, SkillUp, with more than 1,000 courses. The key difference between the free and paid offerings is that paid programmes include live instructor-led classes, project evaluations, one-on-one feedback and certifications. Around 70,000 to 80,000 learners complete courses on the platform every month.
The company is also partnering with the government of India's Mission Karmayogi initiative, which aims to provide continuous capacity-building and digital learning for government employees. “The government wants to create a common platform for upskilling its employees, and we are participating in that initiative,” says Kumar.
Subscribe to India Today Magazine
At Bengaluru-based Simplilearn, enrolments in AI courses have been growing by more than 40 per cent year on year, with some programmes, such as Agentic AI, recording over 100 per cent growth. Among its most popular offerings are courses on Generative AI, Agentic AI and multi-agent systems, as well as AI courses for product managers, business analysts and digital marketers.
According to Simplilearn's Professional Sentiment Survey 2026, while 85 per cent of professionals regularly use AI at work, only 26 per cent feel adequately prepared for AI-driven careers.
Simplilearn currently has over 15 million learners across 50 countries, including 6-7 million from India, says Krishna Kumar, founder and CEO of Simplilearn. “Today, 65 per cent of our revenue comes from AI-related courses,” he says.
Of the 6-7 million learners in India, 89 per cent pay for the courses themselves, indicating that professionals are taking responsibility for their own upskilling rather than waiting for employer-sponsored training, says Kumar. He adds that, unlike in the US, where employers often reimburse employees for professional learning, Indian professionals largely finance their own upskilling.
AI is currently augmenting existing jobs while gradually creating new specialist roles. As a result, professionals are enrolling in these courses to advance in their current careers or prepare for new AI-focused roles. Around 50 per cent of Simplilearn's learners are upskilling for their existing jobs while 30-35 per cent are preparing for new AI-driven opportunities.
Professionals with more than eight years of experience account for 45 per cent of Simplilearn's active learner base. Mid-career professionals are showing the highest levels of engagement, reflecting the growing need to remain relevant in an AI-driven workplace.
While around 50 per cent of Simplilearn's learners come from the technology sector, the other half now come from non-technology industries such as BFSI (banking, financial services and insurance), manufacturing, retail, healthcare and consulting, all of which are increasingly investing in AI skills. The platform's paid courses cost an average of Rs 50,000 and typically run for 4 to 10 months.
Simplilearn also offers a free learning platform, SkillUp, with more than 1,000 courses. The key difference between the free and paid offerings is that paid programmes include live instructor-led classes, project evaluations, one-on-one feedback and certifications. Around 70,000 to 80,000 learners complete courses on the platform every month.
The company is also partnering with the government of India's Mission Karmayogi initiative, which aims to provide continuous capacity-building and digital learning for government employees. “The government wants to create a common platform for upskilling its employees, and we are participating in that initiative,” says Kumar.
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