Jun 25, 2025

Mumbai, 25 June 2025: As India’s skilling landscape shifts from credentials to careers, upGrad – one of Asia’s largest integrated learning and skilling majors has recorded 1.6 lakh sign-ups for its short-format Bootcamps and Certifications, under its Consumer (B2C) portfolio in FY25. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 63% of employers identify skill gaps as the top barrier to business transformation, 85% prioritising workforce upskilling and 70% planning to hire talent with newer skill sets by 2030. upGrad’s FY25 learner data reflects this urgency, with rising global adoption of shorter, job-aligned programs that deliver immediate ROI for both professionals and employers. The sharp demands come from diverse international markets, with India leading in learner volume. Other high-enrolment regions included the US, Vietnam, UAE, Canada, UK, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Malaysia, Ireland, the Philippines, Switzerland, and France, amongst others. Within India, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, and Patna emerged as strong learning hubs. Interestingly, Q1 (April-June) emerged as the highest-enrolling quarter, while Q4 (January-March) recorded a surge in women learners, highlighting growing demand for outcome-driven, industry-aligned programs, signaling deeper demographic penetration. Bootcamps in Data Science with AI, Business Analytics & Consulting, Financial Modelling & Analysis, and UI/UX Design witnessed strong intent. On the Certifications front Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO), Project Management Professional (PMP), Leading SAFe (LS), along with free Certs like Introduction to Data Analysis using Excel, Programming with Python, Artificial Intelligence in the Real World, Fundamentals of Deep Learning for Neural Networks, and Introduction to Modern Public Relations appealed to learners globally. Commenting on the growth, Anuj Vishwakarma, COO, upGrad said, “We’re seeing a definitive shift in how learners across India and global markets are approaching career growth – shorter, job-aligned programs are no longer optional; they’re essential. Micro-creds & short formats are now a preferred choice for those looking to improve speed, relevance, and ROI. As demand deepens across Bharat and international hubs, we’re strategically expanding our portfolio to build a globally fluent, industry-ready talent pipeline that can thrive in a borderless workforce. We partner with sector leaders to ensure our course remains relevant and drive maximum learning impact.” All courses are delivered in an online-first, cohort-based format, equipping learners with in-demand technical and soft skills, alongside industry-recognized credentials, interview preparation, and career support. As the global workforce undergoes rapid digital transformation, upGrad is doubling down on its skilling footprint with plans to launch 20+ high-demand partner-led certifications and expand deeper into global regions in FY26. This strategic push will strengthen upGrad’s brand as a leading skilling force, owning the entire learning journey and enabling smarter career acceleration through outcome-driven education at scale. A testament to this is an upGrad learner Chinmay Nemade – who completed upGrad-enabled Professional Certificate in Business Analytics & Consulting with PwC and transitioned into a consulting role at a top digital marketing and analytics firm – achieving a 100% CTC hike in the process. “Coming from a civil engineering background, I wanted more than just tool knowledge – I wanted real-world business insights and this program delivered exactly that. The PwC mentors, hands-on learning, and career development helped me confidently transition into a consulting role”, he added.