An estimated 8.7 crore Indians aged 15 to 29 are not studying, working or undergoing training, according to a NITI Aayog report that called for greater access to affordable skilling and stronger links between education and employment.
The report, Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047, is based on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021. It categorises Indiaโs young population into groups including those in school, tertiary education, formal and informal employment, women and those not in education, employment or training (NEET).
NITI Aayog said young people in the NEET category face particular difficulties because they lack income while also having already incurred costs associated with education.
โNEET youth are constrained by the absence of income and the sunk cost of prior education,โ the report said, adding that students often cannot take up paid skilling programmes alongside existing financial commitments.
The report said NEET youth and women should be provided affordable or subsidised training as well as financial support. It also called for skilling programmes to be aligned with demand in emerging sectors and opportunities for self-employment.
โAcross segments, the ability to combine learning with earning remains a central requirement,โ it said.
Education not translating into suitable jobs
The report also highlighted a mismatch between formal education and employment.
Only 8.25% of people who have graduated from college are employed in roles aligned with their qualifications, according to the report.
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