Challenges and Opportunities of Labour Force in Digital India

The idea of industry has been transformed with the advent of fourth industrial revolution. The introduction of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence, 3D Printing, Internet of Things, Big Data, Block chain etc., have given a new dimension to ‘industry'. Any transformation in industry will result in the loss of conventional jobs and a creation of new ones. It leads to further transformation in requirement of new sets of skilled labourers. No doubt digitalisation will change the face value of industry and increases ease of doing business. It will result in a sustainable economy even though it creates an uncertainty and imbalance in the industry and the society temporarily. The developed countries will tackle the challenges of industry's digital incarnation by developing skills from instruction oriented to higher order thinking effectively. The developing economies like India where the future of work and the labour market in digital era needs a structural transformation of labour force to meet the challenges of digitalisation. In India, the concept of ‘labour' traditionally involves socialistic principles and has a human touch as per the Indian Constitutional values. The idea of complete automation of industry and infusing digital technologies in all small, micro and medium industries should respect the human rights, values and principles. Moreover, abundance of unskilled labour force on one side and shortage of highly skilled on the other is the situation prevails in India. The new transformation ensures innovative business possibilities around the world; India has to develop skilled labour force to exploit digital innovations to boost the economy for the transformation of industry without replacing machines for men.