Q. India’s education system has failed to enhance graduate employability despite policy reforms. Critically analyze the multidimensional challenges in aligning education with employment, innovation, and economic growth. Suggest comprehensive reforms for the way forward. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Core Demand of the Question

  • Highlight the initiatives taken by the government to improve employability among graduates.
  • Analyze the multidimensional challenges in aligning education with employment, innovation, and economic growth.
  • Suggest comprehensive reforms for the way forward. 

Answer

Despite reforms like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, India’s higher education system struggles to improve graduate employability, which stands at 42.6% in 2025 (India Graduate Skills Report), reflecting a persistent mismatch between education outcomes and labour market demands despite growing state interventions.

Government Initiatives to Improve Employability

  • Skill India Mission: Aims to train youth in industry-relevant skills across sectors.
    Example: According to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (2023), over 1.60 crore candidates have been trained under PMKVY since its launch.
  • National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS): Promotes work-based learning by subsidizing apprentice stipends.
    Example: As per the Apprenticeship India Portal (2024), over 9 lakh apprentices have been enrolled since the scheme’s launch.
  • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Encourages creativity and hands-on learning through tinkering labs.
    Example: NITI Aayog (2024) reports that 10,000+ Atal Tinkering Labs have been established across Indian schools.
  • SWAYAM Platform: Offers free online courses to bridge skill and knowledge gaps.
  • AICTE’s Employability Enhancement Training Programme (EETP): Partners with tech firms for practical training.

Multidimensional Challenges in Aligning Education with Employment

  • Curriculum-Industry Mismatch: Outdated course content fails to reflect industry needs.
    Example: India Skills Report (2024) shows that only 11.72% of graduates are in knowledge-intensive employment.
  • Quality Dilution under NEP: Multiple exit options have reduced academic depth and job relevance.
  • Low Research-Industry Integration: Academia lacks applied innovation impact.
    Example: Despite investments, India’s GII rank is 39 (WIPO Global Innovation Index 2024), behind Malaysia (33) and Turkey (37).
  • Outdated UGC Framework: Centralized UGC control stifles modern, contextual reforms.
  • Limited Internship Access: Few students receive real workplace exposure

Comprehensive Reforms – The Way Forward

  • Decentralise Curriculum Design: Universities should be empowered to tailor courses to local and sectoral needs.
    Example: Delhi Skill and Entrepreneurship University (2024) offers hybrid industry-academic programs in logistics and fintech.
  • Replace UGC with Outcome-Based Regulator: Create independent bodies focused on employability metrics.
    Example: The proposed National Higher Education Regulatory Council under NEP remains unimplemented.
  • Mainstream Apprenticeship within Degrees: Mandate embedded vocational learning models.
    Example: Germany’s Dual System, ensures student apprentices split time between classroom and industry.
  • Incentivise Indigenous Tech-Based Start-ups: Promote science-based entrepreneurship within academia.
  • Conduct Institutional Employability Audits: Regular public evaluations of graduate outcomes.
    Example: Tamil Nadu Government’s Ranking Framework (2024) ranks colleges based on actual placement and internship records.

India’s employability gap stems from deep-rooted structural flaws—rigid curricula, regulatory inertia, and weak practical exposure. Transforming education into a driver of innovation and employment demands urgent decentralisation, audit-based accountability, and industry-linked learning ecosystems for long-term national growth. 

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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