HIGHER EDUCATION IN INDIA VIS-A-VIS INCREASING UNEMPLOYMENT

 

India is a country which takes pride in numerous educational institutions for higher education since ancient times. Nalanda University and Taxila university were most renowned in South- East Asia during the 5^th century. Many Universities emerged after that during the progressing years and now we can take pride of several organisations like IIT, AIIMS, IIM in the field of technology, medical science and management respectively, to mention a few. These institutions are reputed all over the world for the standard of education imparted and highly proficient individuals they deliver to the country each year.

The Universities provide regular graduation and post- graduation programs. For those students who are unable to attend regular classes, there is a provision for distance and online programs. Such provisions can help students balance their studies with other obligations. The Universities award their degrees and colleges award the degrees as per the respective Universities they are affiliated to.

Universities in India are classified into five different categories depending on their management. To begin with, there are 56 Central Universities in our country, 483 State Universities, 129 Deemed Universities and 478 State Private Universities.  

There is another category of higher education institutions, which are called Institutes of National Importance. There are 130 such Institutes like 7 AIIMS, 23 IITs, 20 IIMs, 29 NITs, 7 IISERs, 3 NIDs, 1 NIPER etc. There is no dearth of organizations of higher education in India that help students pave a way for better opportunities and economic prosperity. As the nation faces an acute phase of unemployment, it has become imperative to delve deep into the connection between education and unemployment to contemplate ways to amend the loopholes.

It seems that, despite the presence of numerous universities and institutions of higher education a huge chunk of the graduates find themselves lacking in the required skills and practical exposure. Eventually they are not able to fit into the industry requirements, leading to disillusionment among the educated youth in India. There are many other factors which are responsible for the current situation of unemployment in our country, such as:

1) Outdated Curriculum: The curriculum that many educational institutions in India adheres to, is not up to date and fails to meet the industry needs of the current times. This leaves them unequipped with the required skill set and knowledge that the employers look for in candidates.

2) Less Focus on Skill Enhancement: Our higher education pattern gives more emphasis to theoretical knowledge rather than skill enhancement and vocational trainings. Eventually after graduating, the students are not competent enough to meet with the demands of the modern workplace.

3) Lack of Proper Career Counselling: There is very less importance given to counselling, when the students opt for streams and subjects during their higher secondary school. It is always advisable to take counselling, to ensure that the subjects chosen can help to secure a safe future keeping every aspect in mind, like future prospects and job opportunities.

4) Less Efforts at Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset: The institutions of higher education generally inculcate in students, the traditional mindset which favours employment. Rarely does any organization makes endeavours to encourage the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among its student fraternity.

5) Inadequate Industry Academia Collaboration: It is vital that the academic programs and specializations that are provided in an institution of higher education should be in accordance with the evolving demands of the present and future job market.  

6) Regional Disparities: India is a country with wide regional disparities which leads to a huge difference in the educational infrastructure as well as opportunities in specific regions, giving rise to increasing rate unemployment due the rising socio-economic divide. 

It is of paramount importance for the nation to understand that education and employment should work in close coordination, in order to bring out the true potential of its educated youth, to pave a way towards inclusive growth and prosperity. Though the government, through its National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 have made efforts at updating the curriculum and including skill training so as to make the students industry ready. It is now the responsibility of the students to be proactive and imbibe knowledge and practical learning to elevate their efficiency and become assets to the nation.

Contact us for more information

Meraki School of Higher Education

+91-9910468238

Aggarwal Prestige Mall, 5th Floor-512,

Rd. Number 44, Rani Bagh,

Pitampura, Delhi-110034