India's Job Crisis: A Threat to Its Young

The bustling streets of Mumbai are a sight to behold. People from all walks of life can be seen rushing to their destinations, their faces etched with determination. Among them is Rajesh, a young graduate who seems to have the world at his feet. Armed with a degree in computer engineering, he is confident of finding a lucrative job. However, months pass by and Rajesh is still unemployed. He begins to lose hope as he watches his savings dwindle.

Stories like Rajesh's are becoming all too common in India. Despite the country's world-beating growth, there is a lack of job opportunities for its young population.

• India's unemployment rate rose to 7.2% in February 2019, the highest in 28 months.
• According to a report by the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), nearly 5 million young people lost their jobs between 2016 and 2018.
• Only 30% of engineering graduates in India are employable, according to a study by Aspiring Minds.
• A World Bank report estimates that India needs to create 8.1 million jobs annually to maintain its current employment rate.

The Great Indian Growth Story: A Mirage for Its Young Population?

1. India's job crisis is real, and it is affecting its young population the most.
2. The government needs to both create jobs and address the skills gap in the labour force.
3. Young people need to take a proactive approach to skill-building and entrepreneurship.

and Case Studies

Take the case of Smita, a young woman from a rural area in Maharashtra. She completed her bachelor's degree in arts and was determined to find a job in the city. However, she faced several challenges, including language barriers, discrimination, and a lack of networks. Frustrated, Smita decided to start her own business selling handmade crafts. Today, she is running a small but successful enterprise and is an inspiration to many other young people like her.

Similarly, the story of Shyam, a mechanical engineer from Tamil Nadu, highlights the need for upskilling and reskilling. Despite graduating from a top university, Shyam struggled to find a job in his field. He then decided to take online courses in data analytics and machine learning, and soon landed a job at a top tech firm.

Practical Tips

• Young people should focus on building skills that are in demand, such as digital marketing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
• Entrepreneurship can be a viable option for those who are struggling to find employment.
• Networking, both online and offline, can help young people access opportunities that they may not have found otherwise.