Unemployment in India: Understanding the Root Causes and Solutions
Introduction
Greetings, friends! Unemployment has become the biggest issue in our country today. According to the India Employment Report 2024, one out of every three youths in India is unemployed, with an unemployment rate of 29.1%. This is a concerning figure, especially considering that many of these individuals hold graduate degrees. The question that arises is, why is this happening in a country with a population of 1.4 billion, where there is such a huge market for basic necessities like food, clothing, and education? How is it possible that foreign companies come here and make profits worth billions while our youth struggle to find jobs paying as little as ₹1,800? In this blog, we will delve deep into the problem of unemployment and explore not only what the government can do but also what you can do to address this issue.
The Government's Perspective
Let's start by analyzing the efforts made by the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to create millions of jobs. However, some media channels claim that he never made such a promise. According to a fact-check by ABP News, PM Modi merely stated that the Congress party had failed to generate employment and did not explicitly guarantee job creation. The accusation that the Modi government failed to deliver on its promise of creating 20 million jobs annually is therefore baseless. It is important to question the motives behind such political campaigns that aim to keep the youth unemployed. It is time for a change, a change in the government and the state of affairs.
The Need for Skill Development
Along with the government's role, let us also discuss the issue of skill development. The lack of proper skills is a significant factor contributing to unemployment. The Skill India campaign, launched by PM Modi, aimed to promote skill development and enable youth to earn a livelihood in their own communities. However, news channels like Sudhir Chaudhary's Zee News seem to have forgotten this one-year-old program. They now claim that the youth are unemployed because they are lazy and lack skills. But let us understand the ground reality.
First, let's look at the number of job opportunities required in the country. The Ministry of Education's website states that there are approximately 2.85 crore enrollments in higher secondary schools annually. This means that around this many students enter higher secondary education every year. Is there a need for so many jobs? We must also consider the students who drop out before completing their education. According to a previous report by the University Grants Commission, around 12.6 million students drop out after completing Class 10, and there is a 3% dropout rate at the upper primary level and a 1.45% dropout rate at the primary level. If we include these dropouts along with the Class 12 pass and fail students, the total number of individuals seeking employment would be approximately 3.3-3.4 crore. The majority of these individuals aspire to pursue higher education in college, but are our colleges equipped to accommodate such a large number of students?
The Challenges in Medical Education
Let's take the example of medical education. As per the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are approximately 1,08,000 MBBS seats across the country. In addition, there are some BDS seats. According to a report by The Times of India, the total number of seats for MBBS and BDS combined is around 1.4 lakh. However, the number of applicants for the NEET-UG 2023 was more than 20 lakh. This means that out of every 15 aspirants, only one would be able to secure a seat. The scenario is even worse for PG seats, with only 6,78,008 seats available. The shortage of doctors in the country is evident, but the problem lies in the lack of educational infrastructure. How many families in India can afford the exorbitant fees charged by private medical colleges? According to the State of Inequality in India 2022 report, the monthly earnings of nearly 90% Indians are less than ₹2,55,000. How can these families afford college fees of more than ₹1 crore? The fees for private engineering colleges are equally high, reaching up to ₹1 lakh per year. How many families in India can afford total fees exceeding ₹1 crore? It is clear that the majority of the population cannot afford such expenses.
The Challenges in Engineering Education
Now, let's shift our focus to engineering education. In December 2022, the Minister of State for Education revealed in the Rajya Sabha that the number of engineering college seats in the country is decreasing. In 2017-18, there were 14.65 lakh seats, which decreased to 12.53 lakh in 2021-22. Furthermore, more than half of the seats remained vacant in 2017-18, with 48.6% of seats vacant in 2018-19 and approximately 33% vacant in 2021-22. This means that around 4.21 lakh seats remained empty. If we consider the demand for engineering degrees in the country, where millions aspire to become engineers, it is astonishing to see so many vacant seats. The reasons behind this are multifold.
Firstly, the high fee structure is a major deterrent. In recent years, even premier institutes like IITs have increased their fees significantly. An article from 2016 in The Hindu states that the fee for an undergraduate B.Tech degree at IITs almost doubled from ₹90,000 to ₹2 lakh, amounting to ₹8 lakh for a four-year course. Private engineering colleges charge even higher fees, reaching up to ₹10 lakh per year. Secondly, the quality of education is often compromised. Many private engineering colleges have substandard faculty who either receive low salaries or lack the necessary qualifications. According to a survey conducted by Anna University, over 50% of engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu lack adequate infrastructure. Imagine the situation in other engineering colleges across the country.
The Way Forward
So, what can be done to address the issue of unemployment? The government must focus on improving the educational infrastructure, recruiting qualified faculty, and reducing the fees charged by colleges. The skill development initiatives started by the government should be expanded and strengthened, allowing youth to acquire the necessary skills to match the demands of the job market. It is also essential to create more job opportunities by promoting entrepreneurship and providing support to startups.
As individuals, we can take proactive steps to enhance our employability. We should strive to acquire skills that are in demand and be open to exploring various career paths. Additionally, internships and practical experience are crucial for gaining industry exposure and improving our chances of securing employment. Continuous learning and upskilling are also vital in today's rapidly evolving job market.
Conclusion
In conclusion, unemployment is a pressing issue in India, affecting millions of youth across the country. The root causes are multifaceted, ranging from a lack of educational infrastructure and quality faculty to exorbitant fees and a mismatch between the skills possessed by job seekers and the demands of the job market. The government must address these challenges by investing in education, promoting skill development, and creating more job opportunities. As individuals, we can also play a role by enhancing our skills, gaining practical experience, and being open to new career opportunities. Only through collective efforts can we overcome the problem of unemployment and build a prosperous future for our nation.
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