One in four young Indians not in education, employment, or training: NITI Aayog
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An estimated 8.7 crore Indians aged 15 to 29 were neither studying, working nor undergoing training, according to a NITI Aayog report based on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021.
The report, titled “Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047”, refers to such young people as NEET, meaning those not in education, employment or training, including unemployed people.
NITI Aayog said NEET youth and women need affordable or subsidised training and financial support, while skilling programmes should be connected to local demand, self-employment opportunities and emerging sectors.
The report also found a weak link between formal education and employment. Only 8.25% of graduates were employed in jobs aligned with their qualifications. Graduate unemployment stood at 13%, with higher unemployment among women.
It said students from low-income households often cannot afford additional skilling programmes alongside college expenses and private tuition. Some graduates subsequently take low-paying jobs for financial stability, while others struggle to enter the workforce and become NEET.
The findings drew criticism from opposition leaders.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the government over job creation and the BJP's earlier promise of creating two crore jobs annually. Other Congress leaders cited recruitment delays, vacant government posts, examination paper leaks and the shortage of secure employment.
CPI(ML) leader Dipankar Bhattacharya said the 8.7 crore NEET youth represented nearly one in four of India's estimated 37 crore Gen Z population.
NITI Aayog recommended integrating vocational education and employability skills into the school system. It proposed General Employability and Entrepreneurship Skills from Classes 6 to 12 and specialised vocational “Kaushal Tracks” from Class 9.
Fewer than one in 12 secondary schools currently offer vocational subjects, the report said.
The report also called for greater use of apprenticeships, work-integrated degrees and diplomas, flexible learning that allows students to earn while learning, and stronger links between higher education and industry.
It recommended incentives for micro, small and medium enterprises to expand apprenticeships and a unified platform for credible opportunities.
NITI Aayog said more than 7.67 crore people had been trained since 2014-15, while Rs 34,000 crore was allocated for skilling-related expenditure in the 2025-26 Union Budget. However, it said training numbers alone were insufficient without stronger links between skills and actual employment.