As India’s households evolve — with dual-income families, urbanisation, and changing lifestyles — the expectations from domestic help are no longer just basic cleaning or cooking. Employers are increasingly demanding more skilled, educated, and reliable workers. According to a recent WorkIndia report, the demand for “educated maids” is rising sharply. The Week+2NDTV Profit+2
Here are five skills that domestic workers who want to stand out and secure better jobs should develop.
1. Basic Education & Literacy
What it means:
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Ability to read and write to some level (understanding instructions, reading labels, cleaning manuals, etc.).
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Basic numeracy (handling bills, measuring ingredients, tracking schedules).
Why it’s in demand:
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According to WorkIndia, maids with higher education levels (12th pass, graduates) are seeing a significant surge in demand. Employers now prefer workers who are educated enough to handle more responsibilities and learn quickly. The Week
2. Specialized Care Skills (Childcare, Elderly Care)
What it means:
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Experience or training in caring for children (feeding, bathing, homework help).
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Knowledge of elderly care: assisting with mobility, hygiene, medication reminders, being patient, etc.
Why it’s in demand:
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Dual-income households often still need help managing children or elderly family members. Domestic workers with skills in these areas are more trusted and more highly paid.
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Employers prefer “educated helpers” for higher trust roles like child/elder care. The Week+1
3. Ability to Use Household Appliances & Modern Tools
What it means:
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Knowing how to safely operate washing machines, microwaves, ovens, vacuum cleaners, water purifiers, etc.
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Basic troubleshooting (knowing what not to do to avoid equipment damage).
Why it’s in demand:
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Urban households often have more appliances; knowing how to use them properly reduces mistakes, accidents, or damage.
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Employers prefer helpers who can adapt to modern homes.
4. Time Management & Reliability
What it means:
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Punctuality; being able to follow a schedule (when to clean what, cook, etc.).
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Prioritizing tasks; doing things even when unsupervised.
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Consistency in work quality.
Why it’s in demand:
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With busy lives, employers need helpers who can be trusted. Domestic work is now not just chores, but dependable overall help.
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Reports show households are willing to pay more for reliable and skilled domestic help. The Week+1
5. Respect, Communication & Discretion
What it means:
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Good behavior, respecting household norms (dress, privacy, etiquette).
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Clear communication: understanding what is expected, asking questions if unclear.
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Being discreet: knowing what to share and what not to share about the household.
Why it’s in demand:
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Homes are private spaces. Employers need discretion.
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As roles become more involved (children’s schedules, elderly needs, sensitive household items), trust matters greatly.
How Domestic Workers Can Acquire These Skills
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Attend short training programs (some maid agencies offer onboarding / skill-building).
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Practice on the job: ask employers for detailed instructions, try to learn handling new appliances.
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Work on soft skills: good manners, communication, asking clarification.
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Stay safe and learn basic safety & hygiene standards.
Why This Matters
For domestic workers: these in-demand skills can lead to better wages, more respect, more job stability, and sometimes better working hours or more responsibilities.
For employers: hiring someone skilled saves time, reduces mistakes, improves household functioning, and increases trust.
At Bookmybai, we go through an extensive shortlisting process to make sure that the worker deployed at your home is a perfect choice for you. We have maids, cleaners, nanny, babysitter, cook, chef, patient caretaker, senior citizen caretaker available for you and your family whether you want a part time, full day or 24 hours live in maid. We do an elaborate background check to make sure that the person is not only reliable but also trusted.
If you have a requirement for a domestic helper for your family, you can be rest assured that we will give our 100% to make sure that your entire hiring process is hassle free.
We are not just a maid agency or a maid bureau near your house. We are your partners