8.7 Crore Indian Youth Aged 15-29 Not In Education, Employment Or Training: NITI Aayog

New Delhi, Aug 25 (KNN) An estimated 8.7 crore Indians aged 15-29 are not engaged in education, employment or training, highlighting the need for affordable skilling programmes linked to self-employment, local demand and emerging sectors, according to a NITI Aayog report.

The report, titled ‘Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047’, said the estimate is based on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021.

NITI Aayog has divided India's workforce and learners into five segments, school education, tertiary education, formal and informal employment, youth not in education, employment or training (NEET), and women, to identify segment-specific skilling requirements.

The report defines NEET youth as those aged 15-29 who are not engaged in education, employment or training, including unemployed individuals, reported PTI.

It said NEET youth and women require affordable or subsidised training options, along with targeted financial support where required. For workers and NEET youth, the focus should shift towards mid-career reskilling, self-employment opportunities and training aligned with local demand and emerging sectors.

8.7 Crore Youth Outside Education, Employment

The large NEET population highlights a significant gap between India's young workforce and available education, employment and training opportunities.

NITI Aayog said skilling interventions need to be more accessible and closely connected to local employment opportunities, self-employment and emerging sectors to help young people transition into productive economic activity.

Limited Industry-Aligned Training Affects Employability

The report noted that students, particularly those from low-income households, often face financial pressure from college expenses and private tuition, making additional paid skilling programmes difficult to pursue alongside formal education.

As a result, some graduates take up stable but low-paying jobs to support their families, while others struggle to transition into employment and become NEET, the report said.

Only 8.25 per cent of graduates are employed in roles aligned with their qualifications, according to the report.

“Limited exposure to practical learning and industry-aligned training continues to constrain employability, even among formally educated youth,” it said.

Skilling Key To Viksit Bharat@2047

NITI Aayog said achieving the Viksit Bharat@2047 objective would require enabling citizens to continuously learn, earn and advance, with skilling playing a central role in the process.

(KNN Bureau)