Building for Bharat has become a subject of frequent discussion in recent times, with the country's manufacturing sector poised for a huge leap. It is not just a strategy anymore, but it has become a necessity. It means creating solutions that solve real problems, even when the process is difficult. India has long been labelled a challenging market for technology adoption, but in the last 15 years, we have proven otherwise. From tier 2 and tier 3 towns to rural villages, users have shown an incredible ability to adapt to technology—provided it meets their needs and is designed with them in mind. This is a testament to one undeniable truth: if you build for the user, they will adopt it.

However, scaling these innovations remains a challenge in India, particularly for B2B products. Even when the need is clear and the solution is recognised as transformative, decision-makers often prioritise short-term savings over long-term value. And in our country, predominantly training—a cornerstone for an efficient workforce, is frequently considered as a non-essential expense. This systemic mindset has far-reaching implications, especially in manufacturing and automotive sectors, where emerging technologies such as machine learning, automation, and smart manufacturing demand a skilled workforce to remain globally competitive.

India’s youth population is one of its greatest strengths. Yet, a gap in skill levels, access to training, and awareness of opportunities has kept this demographic from fulfilling its potential. Ironically, while demand for skilled labour surges, industries have often outsourced workers from countries like Peru and China to meet critical needs in infrastructure projects. This mismatch underscores a need to prepare India’s youth for the evolving demands of modern industry.

The challenges extend beyond just technical skills. Conventional training methods often fail to keep pace with the needs of modern technology-driven workplaces. The amount of hands-on training given is also constrained by costs and availability of resources. There is a pressing need for innovative, scalable, and practical approaches to skill development that cater to industry requirements and are accessible to India’s diverse population.

Technology offers a transformative solution to India’s skilling challenges. Extended Reality (XR) and Virtual Reality (VR), commonly associated with entertainment, are now revolutionising technical and vocational education and training (TVET). By creating immersive and interactive simulations, XR facilitates experiential learning, making training more effective, engaging, and cost-efficient.

Setting up skill development centres in tier 2 and tier 3 cities come with challenges like connectivity, power issues, and high costs of equipment. Multi-skill XR labs with portable and offline-capable XR devices have emerged as game-changers in addressing these issues. Multi-skill XR labs, shared by multiple users, provide scalable and cost-effective training platforms. With latest VR devices becoming available for almost the cost of mobile phones, and recent technical advancements in immersive software, XR training has become accessible even in resource-constrained settings.

These labs enable industries to train workers across multiple or diverse skill sets without extensive infrastructure investment for each different skill module. By creating centralised hubs equipped with XR systems, industries and institutions can share resources, making training both economically viable and operationally efficient. These customisable XR labs ensure that training remains relevant to industry-specific needs, maximising impact and scalability.

A leading paint company in India successfully trained thousands of painters across Tamil Nadu and Karnataka using VR-based multi-skill simulation platforms. Compact VR headsets were transported directly to tier 2, tier 3, and rural locations, popularising mechanised painting and proving that technology can drive quick user adoption. This program, running successfully for over three years, demonstrates XR’s potential to revolutionise skill development.

Similarly, XR has proven instrumental in industries where precision and safety are the most important. For instance, the automotive sector has adopted VR training to simulate assembly line tasks, enabling workers to practice complex operations without disrupting production. This approach not only enhances skills but also boosts productivity and reduces downtime.

While XR is still an emerging technology, its adoption for training and development is growing rapidly. From cost-effective simulations to enhanced safety and personalised learning opportunities, XR is poised to transform workforce development in India. However, to truly succeed, companies must go beyond rebranding imported products. India has the talent to create original solutions tailored to its unique market needs.

The journey of building for Bharat is not without its hurdles. This can be achieved when companies prioritise high-quality standards and robust products to succeed globally. 

Solutions for Bharat can come only when founders set out to build with a true understanding of challenges and problems that are unique to the Indian scenario. Entrepreneurs will see their solutions adopted faster if it delivers meaningful value to the end user. Building products based merely on current trends or hypes will not be sustainable in the long run. 

A solution built and tested against the demands of a diverse Indian market will no doubt be ready to be scaled globally, but it should also be ensured that they comply with rigorous international standards. Solutions based on technology like XR must be interoperable, user-friendly, and adaptable to diverse cultural contexts. By embedding these principles into product development, Indian companies can position themselves as leaders in the global skill development ecosystem.

The potential of XR extends beyond current applications. Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), when used in conjunction with XR, can create more intelligent and responsive training systems. AI-powered analytics can provide deeper insights into trainee performance, while IoT-enabled devices can simulate real-world scenarios with unparalleled accuracy.

Additionally, integrating XR into formal education systems can further expand its impact. Introducing XR-based learning modules in schools and colleges can nurture a generation of tech-savvy professionals ready to meet modern industry demands. This aligns with the government’s vision of ‘Digital India’ and ‘Skill India,’ creating a cohesive strategy for national development.

India has the potential to become a global leader in skill development by harnessing technologies like XR to bridge skill gaps, modernise training, and empower its youth. By focusing on creating solutions tailored to local needs while maintaining global quality standards, India can transform its workforce and strengthen its position on the world stage.

As we continue to innovate, the developers should build for Bharat with the intent to scale for the world, keeping in mind the diverse and dynamic needs of our market. With XR and other emerging technologies at the forefront, India has the potential to lead the way in redefining skill development for a sustainable and inclusive future.

Sabarinath is a technology marketing specialist and a Virtual Reality enthusiast. After his education he moved to product management at Vortex, the world's pioneer in energy efficient Automated Teller Machines. Together with Kannan Lakshminarayan (Founder of Vortex and serial inventor in the mechatronics space), he founded Skillveri to solve problems related to skilling, lack of a trustable score for hands-on skills, and scalable methods to train, and to use Metaverse XR and analytics to provide error-free dexterity to manufacturing industry. After starting up at IIT Madras, Skillveri has become the world's leading player in the Metaverse XR multi-skill simulation space and has won many awards including the National Innovations for Skills Challenge of NSDC, Ministry of Skill Development, Govt of India. Sabari is on the Prime Minister's Champions of Change panel on edtech & skills. He was also one of the panelists at the Manila Skill Experts Meetings hosted by International Training Center of ILO (United Nations).