Coaching in India is going through a big shift. Experts believe that what used to be a luxury service for top business leaders is now becoming a popular career choice for solo entrepreneurs, content creators, teachers and professionals. The India Coaching Federation says the industry could grow to $7 billion by 2030. This growth is powered by more people using digital tools, wanting career freedom, and a new way of thinking about work and learning.
But it’s not just about more people wanting coaching — it’s also about how coaching itself is changing. This new wave blends technology, systems thinking, and personal growth.
Coaching 2.0: Systems, not just inspiration
Old-school coaching often relied on a coach’s personality or one-on-one guidance. Now, digital coaches are using step-by-step systems that others can follow and repeat. One example is Siddharth Rajsekar, who started the Internet Lifestyle Hub (ILH) in 2018. He claims to help over 800,000 learners, not just with his knowledge, but with a clear structure. His system includes picking a specific niche, building digital tools, setting up systems, creating online funnels, and using a community for support and accountability. This marks a shift from being inspired by a “guru” to learning through well-organised systems.
Blending AI with personal growth
AI is now playing a helpful role in coaching. It’s not replacing human connection but enhancing it. In ILH, for example, AI is used to:
Ask reflection questions that help learners think deeply
Provide prompt cards to explore ideas in a fun, gamified way
Edit videos to tell better stories and connect emotionally
These tools make coaching more scalable and personalised, combining smart tech with human support.
Communities are the new classrooms
As traditional career paths fade, solo workers often feel unsupported. Coaching communities now act like professional ecosystems — offering structure, identity, and continuous feedback.
“ILH does this well with group challenges like the Hackathon, which motivates members to complete their work in a set time. Members get rewarded for showing up and completing tasks, and big achievements are celebrated at retreats,” Rajsekar said.
A new kind of success in India
According to the experts, India’s young workforce is choosing flexible, meaningful work. Coaching is becoming a real career path. With AI taking care of routine tasks, the focus is now on skills like purpose, emotional intelligence, niche expertise, storytelling, and community-building.
This is creating a new kind of entrepreneur — one who builds small, smart businesses with strong values and simple systems, instead of big teams or lots of money.
“At our recent retreat in Chennai, over 900 knowledge creators came together to explore how AI, publishing, and storytelling can help grow purpose-driven businesses,” he said.
What’s next?
India’s coaching industry isn’t just about money — it’s about meaning. More people want work that matches their values and lifestyle. Coaching is helping them bridge that gap, both professionally and personally.
“If India becomes a global leader in digital coaching, it will be thanks to models that mix tech with transformation, and coaches who work quietly — but make a big impact,” he added.