Advanced manufacturing jobs crucial for India: Chandrasekaran

New Delhi: India's economy is robust despite an uncertain global environment, but energy security, advanced manufacturing jobs and investment in human capital will be critical to sustaining long-term growth, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said on Monday.

Speaking at the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) Symposium 2026, Chandrasekaran said the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision would require inclusive and sustainable development supported by world-class infrastructure, institutions and intellectual property.

“The Indian economy is doing very well and, over the last several years, has consistently exceeded expectations by posting the highest growth in a world that is uncertain and difficult,” he said.

He cited strong domestic demand, services exports and an enabling policy environment, besides double-digit growth in indicators such as auto sales, credit, power and cement. A current account deficit consistently below 1% of GDP, strong services exports, forex reserves and low bank NPAs showed that India was in a “stable and strong place”, he said.

However, sustaining growth would require greater focus on energy security, advanced and precision manufacturing jobs, and human capital.

“Energy security must be ensured because that is going to be fundamental for growth. Second, manufacturing jobs... advanced manufacturing jobs, precision manufacturing jobs...because we need to shift from a low-productivity agricultural workforce to highly-productive manufacturing and modern services,” he said.

Chandrasekaran also stressed education and skill development and said India needed to move beyond assembly-led growth towards end-to-end domestic capabilities. “It is very important to build the assembly-led growth, and that is going to lead to creating a strong SME segment,” he said, adding that the next step should be building full-product capabilities through investment in R&D, intellectual property, equipment and skills.

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