Ravi, a 22-year-old from Bihar, is the first in his family to graduate from college. He studied hard, passed his exams, and earned a degree in commerce. However, after two years of job hunting in Delhi, he still works as a delivery rider. His issue isn’t a lack of effort; it’s a lack of skills. Employers expect him to be proficient in Excel analytics, problem-solving, and communication in English, none of which were included in his curriculum.

Ravi’s story isn’t unique—it serves as a warning. India boasts the world’s largest pool of young people, but without the right skills, this demographic advantage could turn into a demographic disaster.

Failure to act is not an option. The consequences of inaction will be dire: millions of educated but under-skilled youth will be trapped in low-paying jobs, igniting frustration and deepening inequality. Recently, we have seen unrest in Nepal, as well as earlier in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where jobless youth turn their anger against political elites. India must heed these warning signs.

The Employability Dilemma

According to the latest Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data released on September 15 by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), unemployment among young women has increased significantly. The unemployment rate for urban females aged 15-29 has risen to 25.7 per cent, over 10 percentage points higher than the rate for young urban males, which stands at 15.6 per cent.

The India Skills Report 2025 presents a stark reality: only 55 per cent of India’s youth are employable this year. Nearly one in two young Indians entering the job market is unprepared for roles requiring adaptability, digital fluency, and resilience.

The National Skill Development Corporation warns of a projected shortfall of 29 million workers in high-demand sectors like artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, healthcare and wellness, and green technology.

This mismatch goes........

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