NITI Aayog: Degrees Like BA, B.Sc, B.Com Have 'Weak Job Linkages', Need Reforms, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• NITI Aayog has identified high unemployment among graduates and weak job linkages of generic degrees like BA, B.Sc, and B.Com.
• The report, titled 'Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat', states that over 90% of graduates are employed in roles not aligned with their qualifications.
• Graduate unemployment stands at 13% overall, and 20.4% for graduate women, significantly higher than the national average of 3.2%.
• The think tank advocates for a shift towards specialized, job-linked programs in high-growth sectors and a greater focus on apprenticeships.
• It also noted that 8.7 crore individuals aged 15-29 are categorized as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), though this is clarified not to be a measure of joblessness.

Detailed Insights:

• The report highlights a fundamental disconnect between India's higher and technical education system and the demands of the labor market, with outdated curriculums.
• Over 2 crore students are enrolled in generic undergraduate programs like BA, B.Sc, and B.Com, which often have weak job linkages.
• A significant social stigma actively discourages youth from pursuing vocational skilling, ITIs, and diploma programs, perceiving them as "second-tier" pathways.
• An information gap regarding suitable courses and training programs is a major challenge, with many citing lack of awareness as a top reason for not pursuing skilling.
• Skilling alongside a generic undergraduate degree can lead to a higher average starting salary of ₹29,000 per month, compared to ₹22,000 without skilling.
• NITI Aayog recommends transitioning from top-down, supply-driven skilling programs to demand-driven, outcome-linked, and industry-backed models.
• The report proposes integrating skilling into the school system from Grade 6 with General Employability and Entrepreneurship Skills (GEES) and structured vocational Kaushal Tracks from Grade 9.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India, established in 2015 to replace the Planning Commission, focusing on policy formulation and cooperative federalism.
• Viksit Bharat: The Government of India's ambitious vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, encompassing economic prosperity, social advancement, and good governance.
• NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training): A category referring to individuals, typically youth, who are not engaged in any form of education, employment, or training.