New Delhi, Aug. 29 -- India's executive coaching industry, to which top professionals turn for advice on navigating career challenges and the leadership path, is getting crowded. A wave of new entrants and platforms that make coaches easier to find is forcing them to compete harder for clients, and increasingly, on fees. And now, artificial intelligence (AI) has brought in a real twist-people are growing more comfortable turning to bots for advice.

"India's coaching industry is growing rapidly, bringing intense competition, particularly among new coaches entering the profession. During corporate bulk engagements, pricing often becomes a key factor," said executive coach Sanjeev Bhatia, who is also the president of the Mumbai charter chap...