The landscape of Indian engineering is undergoing a profound structural shift as the integration of artificial intelligence moves from a novel experiment to a foundational requirement. According to LinkedIn’s newly released Skills on the Rise 2026 list for India, the traditional definition of technical excellence is being rewritten. While the country has long been a global hub for engineering talent, the current momentum is directed toward high-growth, function-specific skills that allow professionals to navigate an increasingly automated and interconnected work environment. As companies across India accelerate their hiring for specialized roles, a clear picture is emerging of the “skill stacker” – an engineer who successfully bridges the gap between deep technical code and broad organizational impact.
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For decades, the primary competitive advantage for an engineer in India was defined by their sheer technical depth and mastery of specific coding languages. However, as Malai Lakshmanan, Head of India Engineering at LinkedIn, points out, the advent of AI is rapidly raising the baseline for entry. The 2026 list reveals that while foundational pillars like programming and cybersecurity remain essential, they are now part of a more complex ecosystem. At the very top of the list is querying, a skill that has become indispensable as the ability to extract and manipulate data becomes the starting point for nearly all high-level engineering tasks. This shift suggests that the modern engineer is no longer just a builder of systems, but a navigator of information who must ensure that the data fueling AI models is accurate, secure, and accessible.
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The rise of Large Language Model Operations, or LLMOps, signals a transition into a new era of “AI-native” engineering. This specialization involves the operationalization and management of large-scale AI models, moving beyond simple development to ensuring these systems are scalable and reliable in a production environment. Complementing this is the rise of workflow automation, which allows engineers to offload repetitive tasks and focus on higher-order problem solving. Lakshmanan emphasizes that these specific skills are not just technical additions but are actively accelerating what engineers can build in the age of AI. By mastering automated machine learning and process optimization, professionals are able to drive efficiency at a scale that was previously impossible, effectively turning the engineer into an architect of automated systems.
Perhaps the most significant revelation from the 2026 insights is that as execution speeds up due to automation, the primary bottleneck in engineering has moved from writing code to aligning people. This has propelled collaboration into the top ten list of engineering skills on the rise. Because AI systems now operate across diverse business lines and functions, the ability to work across disciplines and challenge long-held assumptions has become a critical differentiator. Lakshmanan argues that the ultimate impact of AI is determined not just by the quality of the algorithm, but by the level of trust and alignment built between teams. Consequently, India’s most competitive engineers will be those who can translate technical complexity into enterprise-grade outcomes, combining advanced AI literacy with the soft skills necessary to lead large-scale digital transformations.
The complete list of the top 10 engineering skills on the rise in India includes:
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