NITI Aayog Report Reveals: Only 8.25% of Graduates Secure Jobs Relevant to Their Education

According to the NITI Aayog report, the curricula taught in many institutions do not align with current industry requirements. Consequently, despite obtaining degrees, securing employment remains challenging for young people.

Every year in India, a large number of youths complete their graduation and enter the job market, yet a significant disconnect between their degrees and available jobs has emerged. The NITI Aayog report, titled Reimagining Skilling For Viksit Bharat@2047, reveals that only 8.25 percent of graduates are employed in roles commensurate with their qualifications. The report indicates that the issue extends beyond mere unemployment; a lack of alignment between education, skills, and employment has also surfaced as a major problem.

Significant Gap Between Education and Employment

NITI Aayog has highlighted a fundamental disconnect between the country’s higher and technical education systems and the job market. According to the report, the curricula in many institutions are not updated to meet the evolving needs of the industry. As a result, obtaining degrees, diplomas, or certificates does not guarantee easy access to employment. A vast number of students in the country enroll in general graduation courses; approximately 34 million (3.4 crore) students are currently in undergraduate programs, with about 13 million (1.3 crore) pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. The combined number of students pursuing BA, BSc, and BCom degrees exceeds 20 million (2 crore). The report notes that these general degree courses have a weak link to employment, and many students pursue them primarily to meet the educational eligibility criteria for government jobs.

80% of Students Lack Practical Experience

The report also highlights shortcomings identified by the students themselves. Approximately 80 percent of learners cited a lack of practical experience and industry exposure as major issues in their education. Meanwhile, 34 percent identified a lack of skills, and 18 percent pointed to inadequate interview preparation as key challenges. The report also draws attention to the deficiency in digital and communication skills. In other words, while many students do obtain degrees, they often lack the practical capabilities and office-related skills necessary for employment.

Lack of clear career paths after BA, BCom, and BSc

According to NITI Aayog, general degrees like BA, BCom, and BSc are not inherently useless; however, they often fail to clearly indicate the specific practical skills a student possesses for the job market. The report notes that securing direct employment with these degrees can be challenging, as even entry-level roles may require additional workplace skills—such as proficiency in Tally or office software applications. Consequently, many young people find it necessary to acquire further training, develop new skills, or gain practical experience after completing their degrees.

Growing inclination of youth towards government jobs

The report also highlights the intensifying competition among young people for government jobs. Between November 2024 and July 2025, approximately 1.86 crore applications were received for around 55,000 vacancies. This figure illustrates the vast disparity between the demand for government jobs and the number of available positions. According to the report, the solution lies not merely in increasing the number of government jobs, but in transforming the education system to prepare youth for diverse career paths—including employment, entrepreneurship, self-employment, and family businesses.