Ankush graduated with a B.Com degree from a reputed Delhi college. First-class marks. Fluent in English. Polished resume.
Six months later, he was delivering groceries for a delivery app. Not because he didn’t want a better job — but because there wasn’t one.

Ankush is not alone. He’s part of a growing population of Indian youth stuck in a painful irony: educated, but unemployed.

The Crisis Behind the Classroom

India boasts one of the youngest populations in the world, with over 50% under the age of 25. Yet, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high — over 23% in urban areas as per recent surveys.

So, where’s the disconnect?

The truth is, degrees no longer guarantee jobs. And our education system hasn’t caught up with the demands of the real world.

What’s Missing?

Skill-based learning: Most curriculums still focus on theory over practical, employable skills.

Industry alignment: Students graduate without knowing what companies actually need.

Soft skills: Communication, critical thinking, digital literacy — these are rarely taught.

Career guidance: Students choose degrees without understanding job markets or growth paths.

As a result, we are producing graduates, not professionals.

Who Is Affected the Most?

• First-generation learners who lack exposure or mentorship
  
• Youth from tier-2 and tier-3 cities with limited industry connections
  
• Marginalized groups often discriminated against in hiring
  
• Women, who face social and safety barriers even when qualified
  

When Talent Meets a Wall

This mismatch creates frustration, anxiety, and in many cases, underemployment — youth working below their skill level just to survive.

It also leads to a brain drain, with talented young Indians seeking opportunities abroad due to lack of recognition at home.

The Way Forward

• Reform college curriculums to include hands-on training, internships, and entrepreneurship modules
  
• Government and private sector collaborations for skill-building programs
  
• Job-linked vocational training beyond just degrees
  
• Increased funding and mentorship for youth-led startups and creative industries
  

Career counseling in schools and colleges to guide choices early

 A New Kind of Education

Education must prepare young people not just to pass exams, but to create, innovate, and adapt.
It must blend learning with livelihood — not leave them in limbo.

Ankush didn’t stop. He enrolled in a digital marketing bootcamp, took freelancing gigs, and now runs a small creative agency from home.

Because when education meets opportunity, dreams don’t just survive — they thrive.