EV Transition Will Require a New Generation of Specialised Technicians: H D Kumaraswamy

India’s transition towards electric mobility will require a new generation of technicians, engineers and professionals equipped with specialised skills in high-voltage systems, battery technology, power electronics and advanced diagnostics, Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy said at the ASDC Annual Conclave 2026.

Speaking at the conclave, Kumaraswamy said the success of India’s transition to electric mobility will depend not just on manufacturing capacity and infrastructure, but also on developing a workforce capable of working with increasingly sophisticated vehicle technologies.

“We need people who can operate new technologies, maintain increasingly sophisticated systems, adapt to rapid technological change and contribute to innovation and productivity,” Kumaraswamy said.

He said electric mobility is creating opportunities across vehicle manufacturing, battery production, charging infrastructure, servicing and after-sales support. Building a strong and future-ready talent pipeline will therefore be central to the next phase of India’s automotive industry’s growth.

Kumaraswamy called for a stronger link between education, skilling and employment, and said institutions such as the Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) have an important role in ensuring that India’s talent pipeline evolves alongside the automotive industry.

Skilling institutions, he said, will need to anticipate changing industry requirements and continuously update curricula, training methods and assessment systems in consultation with companies.

“Skilling cannot stay in isolation from the workplace,” Kumaraswamy said, adding that industry participation is essential to ensure training reflects real-world requirements and keeps pace with emerging technologies.

The minister also said India’s skilling ambitions should extend beyond meeting the automotive industry’s domestic workforce requirements. India should aspire to emerge as a global source of skilled automotive talent as its manufacturing capabilities expand and the country strengthens its position in global value chains.

According to Kumaraswamy, India’s automotive workforce will increasingly need to meet international standards of quality, productivity, safety and innovation.

He said the government would continue supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening manufacturing capabilities, accelerating technology adoption and developing skills required for future industries. The broader objective, he added, is to create an automotive workforce prepared for the next generation of mobility while contributing to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

(With inputs by Anurag Chaturvedi and Darshan Nakhwa)