‘Brain drain’ from India could give way to a significant ‘brain gain’: Anand Mahindra

Addressing concerns around artificial intelligence, Mahindra struck an optimistic note, arguing that AI should be seen as an accelerator rather than a threat.

As education policies in the West evolve and visa regimes tighten, the long-standing “brain drain” from India could give way to a significant “brain gain”, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra said on Tuesday, calling it a historic opportunity for the country.

In his year-end address, Mahindra said the shift in the nature of work is coinciding with a tectonic change in global talent mobility. For decades, the world’s brightest minds looked to the West for best-in-class education and career opportunities. “Today, as those doors narrow, India’s own potential is expanding,” he said. “This is not just a challenge; it is an opportunity to pivot from being the world’s ‘back office’ to becoming its premier ‘think tank’.”

Mahindra pointed to the rapid growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India as evidence of rising global confidence in Indian innovation. “The world has already signalled its trust. Now, we must provide the institutional backbone to support it,” he said.

AI, he said, will fundamentally reshape the value of “hands-on” skills. Technicians working confidently alongside AI, machinists fluent in digital tools and craftspeople whose intuition is sharpened by data will redefine shop-floor productivity. “When technology amplifies skilled hands, those hands can become as rewarding — if not more rewarding — than traditional white-collar work. AI can turn blue collar into gold,” Mahindra said.

Reflecting on the Mahindra Group’s own evolution, he said the company was once seen primarily as a homegrown brand known for rugged dependability. “Today, we are perceived as modern, confident and future-ready,” he said, adding that the group’s push into electric vehicles had not only altered its product portfolio but also transformed perceptions of its technological capabilities. “EVs changed the conversation. They signalled that Mahindra is mastering frontier technologies and shaping the future of mobility.”

To capitalise on the shifting global landscape, Mahindra said Mahindra University is scaling up its ambitions to emerge as a global centre of learning. He said he had committed significant personal time and financial resources to the effort, underscoring the need to build world-class universities within India as international borders become more restrictive.

“We are not simply educating students,” Mahindra said. “We are nurturing creators, builders and innovators who will shape the next wave of global growth. Education is not just a social good; it is the ultimate strategic investment in India’s rise as a global talent leader.”