2 weeks ago
UP tops India's most employable states 2026 with 78.6%
A big report called the India Skills Report 2026 checks how ready young people in India are for jobs.
It found that about 56 out of every 100 graduates are now ready to work.
That is a little better than last year.
The report says Uttar Pradesh is the best state for job-ready young people.
Maharashtra and Karnataka are also very good, thanks to big cities like Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru.
Kerala has a very high score too, above 70 out of 100.
Companies now want people with computer and AI skills.
They also care more about practical skills than just school marks.
Many people are expected to work in the gig economy, which means flexible, short-term jobs.
The report shows that learning new skills is very important for getting a job.
India's overall employability rose to about 56% in 2026, up from just over 54% the previous year.
Uttar Pradesh tops the list with a 78.6% employability rate, according to the India Skills Report 2026.
Maharashtra and Karnataka rank among the top states, supported by hubs like Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru.
Kerala has one of the highest employability rates in the country, reported above 70%.
Key trends include rising demand for digital and AI skills, skills-based hiring, gig economy growth and industry-aligned training.
- Who
- Indian graduates and job seekers assessed by the India Skills Report 2026
- What
- A report ranking Indian states by graduate employability and highlighting workforce trends
- Where
- India
- When
- 2026 (report released recently)
- Why
- To measure job readiness and guide skill development and hiring practices
Key facts
- Report
- India Skills Report 2026
- Overall employability
- About 56% (up from just over 54%)
- Top state
- Uttar Pradesh (78.6% employability)
- Other top states
- Maharashtra, Karnataka
- Kerala employability
- Above 70%
- Gig workforce estimate
- Over 20 million workers by end of decade
- Key trends
- Digital/AI skills, skills-based hiring, gig economy, industry-aligned training









