These engineers are pursuing in-demand new-age skills such as Generative AI, Machine Learning, data science, cloud computing, Fullstack, and EV design to respond to the changing job market. Edtech platform Great Learning has observed fresher enrolment from smaller towns like Madurai, Nagpur, Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Indore, Jodhpur, Mysuru, Guwahati and Bhubaneswar surge to 42-44% of the total in 2023 compared with 30-32% a couple of years ago.

Another edtech startup UpGrad has seen a more than 50% sequential jump in fresher enrolment from non-metros in the September quarter. The sharp increase in enrolment from the smaller towns and cities comes at a time when freshers with new-age skills are finding it tough to secure a job, especially as the IT cohort – the largest recruiter of white-collar talent – is skipping campus recruitments or taking sharp cuts in entry-level hiring, reversing from the pandemic-induced boom in hiring.

He said the job scenario in colleges is volatile and in-demand roles, especially in technology, are also changing rapidly. A lot of people are trying to bridge the delta by upskilling, he added. Youngsters, on their part, have been willing to pay between Rs 1 lakhs and 4 lakhs to upgrade themselves with the latest tech skills. The rising demand from smaller towns and cities also reflects increased access to new-age skills through remote learning, greater affordability as well as rising aspirations among young Indians with new-age skills.

“People sitting in tier 2/3 places now have the option to take a course in coding, Gen AI, or any other new age skill without having to move to cities, which was not the case even a few years ago,” said Shiv Agarwal, managing director, ABC Consultants. “The smaller towns also have a lot of disposable income and are willing to make that investment,” he added.

With many companies sharpening their focus on hiring from tier 2 and 3 towns, candidates too are prompted to reskill. Anandorup Ghose, partner, at Deloitte India, said: “Earlier many engineers in IT services companies would reskill themselves at their own expense as job-related growth was otherwise impossible in a rapidly changing tech ecosystem.”

Smaller companies, especially in the technology space, are unable to invest as much in upskilling their fresh intake.“Reskilling on their own is the only way to get a job because every company today prefers readily deployable talent,” he added.

The current skill gap is also underscored in the number of unemployed engineers in the country. “There is still a big gap between what is being taught in many of the engineering colleges in the country and the skills needed by industry,” said Amitabh Jhingan, partner, EY-Parthenon. Upskilling programs and providers would continue to stay relevant for both first-time job seekers and career switchers and this trend is now moving into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well and the outlook for upskilling providers remains positive, he added.

Conclusion: 

The surge in enrolment from smaller cities reflects a significant shift in India’s tech landscape, with freshers keen on acquiring new-age skills to navigate the competitive job market. With the rise of remote learning and increased affordability, aspirants from Tier 2 and 3 towns are seizing opportunities to upskill and secure promising career prospects. As the demand for talent evolves, the importance of continuous learning and reskilling becomes imperative for both individuals and the industry at large.

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Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

Also Read – NIT Rourkela develops great AI powered model