According to the NITI Aayog report titled 'Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047,' an estimated 8.7 crore young people in India aged 15 to 29 are not engaged in education, employment, or training. This report highlights the urgent need to implement subsidized training programs to promote self-employment and align with local demand and developing industries.
Aayog divided India's workforce and students into five segments to ensure maximum impact: school education, higher education, formal and informal employment, youth not in education, employment, or training (NEET), and women.
The report notes that the NEET category of youth faces limitations due to lack of income and prior educational expenses. Students often cannot add paid upskilling courses to their existing financial commitments.
NITI Aayog defines NEET youth as individuals aged 15 to 29 who are not involved in education, employment, or training, as well as those who are unemployed. Aayog stated that NEET youth and women require affordable or subsidized learning options, as well as targeted financial support where constraints are greatest.
Furthermore, the report indicates that there is a growing need among the workforce and NEET youth for mid-career reskilling, self-employment pathways, and training options that match local needs and new sectors.
The report also pointed out that students, especially from low-income families, are already under financial pressure due to college costs and, in many cases, private tutoring. Consequently, additional investment in paid upskilling alongside a traditional degree often proves financially unviable.
Aayog noted that many students after graduation aim to find formal employment or an income source to support their families, and often accept any stable, even if low-paying, job. Others face difficulties transitioning to work and become part of the NEET group.
Another finding of the report was that only 8.25 percent of graduates are employed in positions matching their qualifications. It is noted that limited access to practical training and industry-relevant skills continues to restrict employment opportunities even among formally educated youth.
NITI Aayog emphasized that India's ambitions to achieve 'Viksit Bharat 2047' depend on the ability of its citizens to continuously learn, earn, and develop, and that skilling is a central element of this goal. It was added that over 7.67 crore people have been trained since 2014-15.