Higher Education Growth: Expanding Access and Quality
India's higher education sector has witnessed significant growth over the past decade, with enrollment rising to 4.33 crore students in 2021-22, marking a 26.5% increase from 2014-15. The Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) for the 18-23 age group has also improved, reaching 28.4%.
Key Higher Education Expansions: Increase in Institutions
The number of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) has grown from 16 in 2014 to 23 in 2023, while the Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have expanded from 13 to 20 in the same period.
- Medical Education: The number of medical colleges has doubled from 387 in 2013-14 to 780 in 2024-25.
-
University Expansion: The number of universities has increased by 59.6%, from 723 in 2014 to 1,213 in 2024.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Transforming Learning
The NEP 2020 aims to make India a global knowledge superpower by restructuring higher education with a multi-disciplinary and holistic approach.
NEP 2020’s Key Focus Areas:
- Skill Development & Employability: Vocational training is integrated into higher education to bridge the job market gap.
- Research & Innovation: Encouraging start-ups and research initiatives within universities.
- Flexible Learning Models: Implementation of multiple entry-exit options in degree programs.
- Autonomy for Institutions: Universities get more independence to innovate and improve governance.
By 2040, all higher education institutions (HEIs) in India are expected to become multi-disciplinary.
Vocational Training and Skill Development: Strengthening Workforce Readiness
With 65% of India's population under the age of 35, skilling and re-skilling initiatives are crucial to enhancing employment opportunities.
Government Skill Development Initiatives:
- Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs): Over 1.24 crore students enrolled under the Craftsmen Training Scheme.
- Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Over 1.57 crore trained and 1.21 crore certified across Short-Term Training and Special Projects.
- Jan Sikshan Sansthan (JSS): Over 27 lakh individuals trained and 26 lakh certified.
- PM Vishwakarma Scheme: Over 11.79 lakh artisans trained.
Women’s Participation in Skill Development:
- Women make up 58% of PMKVY trainees (up from 42.7% in 2015-16).
- Under Jan Sikshan Sansthan, 82% of trainees are women.
- Women’s participation in ITIs and National Skill Training Institutes has increased from 9.8% in 2015-16 to 13.3% in 2023-24.
Employment and Job Creation: Major Government Schemes
The Union Budget 2024-25 has introduced a ₹2 lakh crore package to benefit 4.1 crore youth over five years.
Key Employment & Skilling Schemes
- First-Time Employee Support: ₹15,000 incentive for new employees registered under EPFO.
- Manufacturing Job Creation: Government to subsidize EPFO contributions for new hires.
- Employer Support: ₹3,000 monthly reimbursement for two years per new hire.
-
ITIs Upgradation: 1,000 ITIs to be modernized.Internships in Top 500 Companies: One crore youth to receive ₹5,000 monthly stipends under the Prime Minister’s Internship Scheme.
Addressing the Skill Mismatch: Aligning Education with Industry Needs
A skill mismatch persists in India’s labour market, with many graduates working in roles below their qualifications.
Key Steps to Bridge the Skill Gap
- Early vocational education: Encouraging skill-based learning from secondary school.
- Industry 4.0 Training: Courses on AI, big data, and automation.
-
University-Industry Collaboration: More internship and apprenticeship programs.
AI and Automation: The Future of Employment
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the job market, with 68% of Indian white-collar workers expecting their jobs to be impacted by AI within five years.
Key Trends in AI & Employment:
- Demand for AI Skills: AI-related jobs command a 13-17% salary premium.
- Upskilling for AI Jobs: AI and automation-focused skilling programs are being integrated into education.
-
Labour Market Adaptation: Industries like healthcare, IT, and retail are witnessing AI-driven job shifts.
Conclusion: Preparing India’s Workforce for the Future
India’s education and employment sectors are undergoing a transformative shift. The NEP 2020, skill development programs, and job creation schemes aim to create an equipped and competitive workforce.
With the right policies and strong industry-academia partnerships, India can leverage its demographic dividend to emerge as a global leader in innovation and employment generation.
