New Delhi: India’s education system needs to move beyond conventional degree pathways and prepare students more directly for the changing demands of the labour market, according to NITI Aayog’s recently released report, Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat 2047.
The report lays out a roadmap for making education more flexible, specialised and closely linked to employment opportunities. Its recommendations include job-linked degree programmes, apprenticeships, flexible learning models and a system to recognise skills acquired across different learning pathways.
The report, released on August 18, comes amid concerns over the gap between educational qualifications and employment outcomes in India.
Citing the Economic Survey 2024-25, it states that only 8.25% of graduates are employed in roles aligned with their qualifications. The unemployment rate among graduates stands at 13%, while 20.4% of graduate women are unemployed, compared with the national unemployment rate of 3.2%.
Moving beyond generic degrees
One of NITI Aayog’s key recommendations is to move beyond generic degree pathways towards specialised programmes that are directly linked to employment opportunities.
High-enrolment degrees such as B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. could include applied specialisations aligned with industry demand. The report suggests models such as B.A. Hospitality, B.Com. Analytics and B.Sc. Applied Technology.
The objective is to ensure that academic qualifications are accompanied by skills that are relevant to specific industries and occupations.
Currently, the report notes, many curricula have not kept pace with changing industry requirements. Generic degrees often do not translate directly into employment, while even entry-level roles may require additional workplace-readiness certifications, including skills in Tally and Office applications.
Bringing work experience into higher education
NITI Aayog has also proposed scaling up work-integrated and apprenticeship-embedded degree programmes.
The recommendation addresses the limited availability of practical training, hands-on projects and industry exposure across schools and higher education institutions.
Integrating work experience with formal education could help students gain practical skills while completing their degrees and improve their understanding of workplace requirements.
Making learning more flexible
The report also calls for greater flexibility in the way education and training are delivered.
It recommends modular, part-time, hybrid and earn-while-you-learn models, allowing students to combine education with employment and skill development.
Such models could be particularly important for students who need to enter the workforce while continuing their education.
Tracking skills beyond traditional qualifications
NITI Aayog has also proposed reforms to make learning more flexible and portable.
These include the implementation of the National Credit Framework and a Digital Skills Passport, which could help track and recognise skills acquired through different education, training and work pathways.
The proposed system would allow learners to build and document their skills beyond a single degree or institution.
A shift in how students prepare for work
The need for reform is particularly significant given the scale of enrolment in general undergraduate programmes.
Of the 3.4 crore students enrolled in undergraduate programmes, 1.13 crore are pursuing B.A. degrees alone. Combined enrolment in B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. programmes exceeds 2 crore.
According to the report, many students pursue these degrees primarily to remain eligible for government jobs. Between November 2024 and July 2025, around 1.86 crore applications were received for just 55,000 posts.
The report argues for stronger links between education, skills and employment, while also expanding access to programmes that can lead to better job opportunities.
It has proposed that the reforms be undertaken through different forms of Public-Private Partnerships and greater private-sector engagement.
The broader aim is to build an education and skilling system where qualifications are not just a measure of years spent studying, but are more closely connected to the skills and opportunities needed in India’s changing economy.
BI Bureau
