India must innovate and design world-class products driven locally yet aimed globally to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

• This requires preparing a skilled workforce for Industry 5.0, where humans and intelligent machines collaborate for sustainable growth.

Critical Dimensions for Industry 5.0

• Shift from Industry 4.0 to 5.0: Industry 4.0 focused on automation and digitalisation, while Industry 5.0 prioritises harmonising technology with human creativity and values.
  • The focus shifts from automation and digitalisation to human–machine collaboration that values creativity, resilience, and sustainability.
  • Industry 5.0 puts people at the centre of industrial processes, ensuring technology complements rather than replaces human intelligence.
• Workforce Preparedness
  • Workers need technical proficiency in AI, robotics, data analytics, cybersecurity, and IoT.
  • Human-centric skills like creativity, critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are equally essential.
• Need for National Roadmap: A clear Industry 5.0 roadmap must identify gaps, design supportive policies, and focus on upskilling youth.
• Regional Innovation Clusters: Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities should be developed into industrial growth hubs, leveraging skilled youth and grassroots innovations.
• AICTE’s Role
  
  • All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), has  launched several initiatives to build a workforce that aligns with the goals of Industry 5.0. 
  • For integrating AI into curricula, AICTE has declared 2025 as the “Year of AI” for the purpose of preparing over 40 million students for the future of work, where human-machine collaboration, ethical AI use, and sustainability will be central.
  • Initiatives like the QIP-PG Certification and ATAL Faculty Development Programmes equip educators with skills in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and smart manufacturing.
  • Further, AICTE aggressively promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through its various other initiatives like Hackathons, Institution’s Innovation Council (IICs), KAPILA Startup Policy, Productisation Fellowship, Industrial Fellowship, etc, encouraging students to think beyond conventional employment and create tech-driven innovative solutions.

Conclusion

• Industry 5.0 is currently in the early adoption stage globally. Based on current trends,it is expected to become mainstream by 2030, though the pace will vary by country, industry, and sector. 
• If India wants to position itself at the centre-stage of the Industry 5.0 revolution, then there is a need to focus on building a workforce that is ready to handle the challenges of Industry 5.0.

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