India is one of the youngest countries in the world, with over 80 crore population (about 65 per cent) under the age of 35. The nation is currently in its demographic dividend phase, a 50-year window (2005-2055) of economic growth potential, when the proportion of working-age individuals (15-64 years) is large enough to support children and the elderly. However, realizing this dividend requires access to quality education, skills development, and job creation to ensure youth can fully contribute. The critical questions are: Will India capitalise on this opportunity? Are we sure our youth are not riding an altogether different bus? Each year, about 22 lakh students take NEET-UG for two lakh MBBS and related seats and 14 lakh attempt JEE Main for 42,000 IIT and other spots.

Assuming 2.5 years (912.5 days) of preparation per student, NEET’s 20 lakh unsuccessful candidates spend 182 crore human-days. JEE’s 13.5 lakh add another 123 crore, bringing the total to 305 crore wasted human-days annually. This translates into Rs 2.07 lakh crore in lost output, that could fund 115-390 new medical colleges with attached hospitals (Rs 528-1,760 crore each); and in the following year, 235-470 engineering colleges (Rs 440–880 crore each). For these 33 lakh unsuccessful students, their childhood is forever lost without any equivalent gain. If they had played a sport of their choice, some could have become successful professionals or at least enjoyed a healthier life. Additionally, the NSS 80th round Comprehensive Modular Survey: Education, 2025 shows 27 per cent of students opt for private coaching at Rs 2,409 average, scaling to Rs 16,116 crore just for higher secondary levels. As per Infinium Global Research, India’s coaching business is now worth Rs 70,000 crore, projected to double by 2028.

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The problem extends beyond these two exams. Over 10 lakh aspirants appear for the Civil Services exam (CSE) annually, targeting about 1,000 positions. This is dwarfed by the millions pursuing other government jobs (detailed........

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