AI-native hiring platform Apna has launched India’s first AI Interview Prep Lounge at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kaushalya Vikas Kendra (ABVKVK) in Kandivali East, Mumbai, marking a new step in the use of artificial intelligence for workforce development and career preparation.
The facility was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, and is designed to help job seekers prepare for interviews, receive instant feedback, and explore employment opportunities through a single integrated platform.
The AI Interview Prep Lounge features three AI-powered interview preparation kiosks developed by Apna. According to the company, it is the first facility of its kind in India and has been integrated into the weekly walk-in hiring drives conducted at ABVKVK.
Candidates visiting the centre can take part in role-specific mock interviews, receive real-time feedback on their performance, and discover relevant job opportunities. The Apna AI Jobs Prep Interview machine supports more than 25,000 job roles across different companies and offers multilingual support. The service is available free of cost to all candidates visiting the centre.
Speaking at the inauguration, Piyush Goyal said the initiative demonstrates how artificial intelligence can play an important role in skill development and employment generation.
“The Apna AI-enabled Interview Centre represents the future of skill development and employment generation. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence to identify opportunities, bridge skill gaps and prepare candidates for the evolving job market, this initiative will empower our youth to build successful careers and contribute meaningfully to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said.
Founded by Nirmit Parikh, Apna has emerged as one of India’s largest employment platforms, connecting job seekers with employers across multiple sectors. The company says its broader mission is not only to help people find jobs but also to build the support systems needed for long-term career success.
Commenting on the launch, Nirmit Parikh, Founder and Group CEO of Apna, said, “At Apna, our ambition extends beyond connecting people with jobs. We want to build the infrastructure that helps individuals succeed throughout their careers. As technology reshapes the world of work, access to guidance, preparation, and opportunity must become universal. The AI Interview Prep Lounge reflects our belief that every job seeker should have the tools and support needed to realise their potential.”
The company noted that many first-time job seekers struggle not because of a lack of skills but due to limited access to interview coaching, mentorship, and structured preparation. The new AI Interview Prep Lounge has been created to address this challenge by offering candidates a dedicated space to practise and improve before meeting potential employers.
Kartik Narayan, CEO of Apna Jobs, said interview readiness often becomes the deciding factor between learning and employment.
“Every year, millions of Indians invest in building skills and qualifications, yet the transition from learning to employment remains challenging. Interview readiness is often the missing link. Through the AI Interview Prep Lounge, we are giving candidates a practical way to prepare, build confidence, receive feedback, and improve their chances of converting opportunities into jobs,” he said.
The Mumbai launch is the first phase of Apna’s broader plan to expand the AI Interview Prep Lounge model across skilling centres, educational institutions, and workforce development ecosystems across the country.
Founded as an AI-native early-career talent platform, Apna currently connects more than 6 crore job seekers with employers across blue-collar, grey-collar, and entry-level white-collar roles. Through its jobs marketplace, AI Job Prep suite, and enterprise solutions, the company aims to make career opportunities more accessible while helping candidates prepare for the changing demands of the modern workforce.
As AI continues to reshape recruitment and employment trends, initiatives such as the AI Interview Prep Lounge could play an important role in helping job seekers gain confidence, improve employability, and access better career opportunities.
-By Shivani Solanki
