India's higher education landscape has undergone remarkable transformation in recent decades, with millions more young people accessing college and university degrees. The newly released State of Working India 2026 report from Azim Premji University sheds light on this progress while highlighting persistent hurdles in translating education into meaningful employment. Titled 'Youth in the Labour Market: Pathways from Learning to Earning,' the report analyzes data spanning four decades, revealing how India's youth aged 15-29 are more educated than ever, yet face daunting job market realities.

The document draws from official sources like the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), and administrative records to paint a comprehensive picture. It notes that tertiary enrolment rates have climbed to 28 percent, on par with nations of similar per capita income. This expansion is driven largely by private institutions, which have proliferated to meet surging demand. However, as the report cautions, quantity must not eclipse quality, especially with India's demographic dividend set to peak soon and decline post-2030.

📈 Surge in College and University Enrolment

Higher education Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER), defined as the percentage of the 18-23 age group enrolled in colleges and universities, stands at approximately 28-29 percent as per recent All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) provisional data and the SWI 2026 findings. This marks a significant leap from earlier decades. For context, total student enrolment in higher education has risen from around 3.67 crore in 2014-15 to over 4.46 crore by 2025-26, according to the Economic Survey 2025-26.

Colleges per lakh youth have increased from 29 in 2010 to 45 in 2021, with private providers leading the charge. Vocational training has also boomed: Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) numbers have nearly tripled since the 2010s. Accessibility has improved for marginalized groups; students from the poorest households now comprise 15 percent of tertiary enrolment, up from 8 percent in 2007. Women have seen the sharpest gains, closing gender gaps in enrolment.

Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, initiatives like multidisciplinary education and flexible curricula aim to sustain this momentum toward a 50 percent GER by 2035. Yet, regional disparities persist—southern and western states boast higher ratios, while eastern and northern regions lag.

🏫 Infrastructure Growth Amid Quality Challenges

The proliferation of higher education institutions (HEIs)—from 51,534 in 2014-15 to 70,018 by mid-2025—reflects ambitious expansion. Universities and colleges, both public and private, have multiplied, with new campuses in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Foreign universities establishing off-shore campuses, as permitted under NEP, add global flavors.

However, the SWI 2026 report flags critical quality issues. Teacher-student ratios are alarmingly high: 28:1 in private colleges and 47:1 in public ones, far exceeding All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) norms of 15-20:1. Faculty shortages stem from slower hiring relative to student influx. Many institutions struggle with outdated curricula disconnected from industry needs.

Private ITIs, despite numerical growth, show declining quality metrics. Financial barriers remain for professional courses like engineering and medicine, which cost exceed annual per capita income for low-income families, pushing richer students toward them disproportionately.

💼 The Graduate Unemployment Paradox

Despite these advances, graduate unemployment among 15-29-year-olds hovers at nearly 40 percent for the 15-25 group and 20 percent for 25-29-year-olds. Shockingly, a graduate is more likely unemployed than non-graduates. Only a fraction secure stable salaried jobs within a year of completing college.

This paradox underscores a skills mismatch. While graduates enjoy a wage premium—earning roughly twice non-graduates at entry, with the gap widening over careers—entry-level salaries for young male graduates have stagnated since 2011. The report estimates 263 million young Indians face employment constraints, amplifying social tensions.

🔍 Roots of the Education-to-Employment Gap

The transition from campus to cubicle falters due to several factors. First, curricula in many Indian universities emphasize theory over practical skills like problem-solving, digital literacy, and communication—soft skills employers prize. The India Skills Report 2026 notes only 56 percent employability, with systemic issues in HEIs.

Second, job creation lags education output. Youth exit agriculture faster than older cohorts, flocking to manufacturing and services, but formal sector absorption is limited. Young women enter IT, automobiles, and business services more, yet gender biases linger.

Third, migration patterns reveal imbalances: poorer states supply youth labor to richer ones, but without adequate skilling, they take low-end roles. Read the full State of Working India 2026 report for deeper data analysis.

🎓 Case Studies: Universities Tackling the Challenge

Leading institutions are innovating. IIT Madras's B.Tech in Data Science and Applications integrates industry projects, boasting high placement rates. Azim Premji University itself emphasizes employable skills through field immersions.

Private players like OP Jindal Global University partner with corporates for apprenticeships. Under NEP, multidisciplinary colleges like those in IITs offer vocational-elective blends. Gujarat Technological University (GTU) mandates project-based learning (PBL) for engineers.

Public universities like Delhi University experiment with skill hubs, while state initiatives in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu link colleges to local industries. These models show pathways forward, with placements exceeding 80 percent in top performers.

📊 Demographic Dividend Under Threat

India's youth bulge—largest globally—offers a window till 2030. Post that, working-age share declines, per SWI 2026. Without productive absorption, this dividend turns liability. Youth LFPR (Labour Force Participation Rate) rises, but unemployment erodes gains.

• Young workers shift to non-farm sectors rapidly.
• Caste/gender occupational segregation decreases in younger cohorts.
• Migration mitigates regional youth surpluses.

🛠️ Recommendations for Colleges and Policymakers

The report urges coordinated action: enhance faculty training, align curricula via NEP's credit banks, expand apprenticeships under National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS). Universities should forge industry ties for internships.

Government must boost R&D funding—Union Budget 2026-27 allocates Rs 78,496 crore to higher ed, up from prior years. Five university townships near industrial corridors promise integrated learning-jobs ecosystems. Check the press release for lead author Rosa Abraham's insights.

Stakeholders advocate AICTE/UGC mandates for skill modules, equity scholarships, and quality audits. For the AISHE portal, track enrolment trends.

🔮 Future Outlook for Indian Higher Education

By 2035, India needs 86 million more seats for 50 percent GER. Skill universities and online platforms like SWAYAM will bridge gaps. Emerging sectors—AI, renewables, EVs—demand university-trained talent.

Optimism prevails if reforms accelerate. Youth aspirations are high; equipping them right ensures Viksit Bharat. Colleges must evolve from degree mills to skill forges.

💡 Actionable Insights for Students and Faculty

Prospective students: Prioritize programs with internships, certifications (e.g., Coursera via universities). Build portfolios via projects.

Faculty: Integrate case studies, guest lectures. Job seekers: Leverage platforms for upskilling. Institutions: Benchmark against global peers like NUS or NTU.

This report signals urgency—higher education's promise hinges on employability.