Archive · 21 Aug 2026
NITI Aayog Flags India’s Graduate Skills and Jobs Crisis
India has many colleges and training institutions.
They give students degrees, diplomas and certificates.
However, what students learn often does not match what employers need.
Many courses are described as outdated.
Because of this, having a qualification does not always lead to a suitable job.
The Economic Survey 2024–25 says only 8.25% of graduates work in jobs that match their qualifications.
NITI Aayog has pointed to this gap between education and employment.
The report suggests that education needs to be better connected to changing workplace requirements.
India’s higher and technical education system is disconnected from labour-market demands.
Many institutions continue to use curricula that are outdated and misaligned with industry needs.
Degrees, diplomas and certificates do not consistently translate into employability.
The Economic Survey 2024–25 reports that only 8.25% of graduates work in roles aligned with their qualifications.
NITI Aayog highlighted the qualification-to-employment gap as a major concern.
- Who
- NITI Aayog and the Economic Survey 2024–25 are identified in the report discussing India’s graduate employment gap.
- What
- India’s higher and technical education system is facing a mismatch between educational curricula and labour-market needs.
- When
- The issue is cited in the Economic Survey 2024–25; the report does not specify when NITI Aayog issued its assessment.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Curricula in many institutions are described as outdated and misaligned with evolving industry needs, limiting the connection between qualifications and employability.
- Country
- India
- Institutions discussed
- Higher and technical education institutions
- Key problem
- Mismatch between curricula and labour-market demands
- Reported alignment rate
- 8.25% of graduates are employed in roles aligned with their qualifications
- Source cited
- Economic Survey 2024–25
- Qualifications mentioned
- Degrees, diplomas and certificates