Nearly 9 crore Indian youth aged 15-29 suffering due to NEET — Not in education, employment or training, highlights Niti Report

An estimated 8.7 crore Indians aged 15 to 29 were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in 2021, according to a Niti Aayog report. The report, Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047, said high training costs and the difficulty of moving from education to employment are among the challenges facing young people, a TOI report stated. It recommended subsidised skilling programmes, self-employment opportunities and training linked to local demand and emerging sectors.

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The estimate comes from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021. Niti Aayog said young people outside education, employment and training face a particular financial challenge because they have no income while also having already spent money on their education. "NEET youth are constrained by the absence of income and the sunk cost of prior education. Students often cannot layer paid skilling onto existing financial commitments," it said.

Cost remains a barrier

The report said students from low-income families may find it difficult to pay for additional skill training while also meeting the costs of college and, in some cases, private tuition.

As a result, many young people have limited scope to add paid training to their formal education. The report said the financial burden can also affect their ability to build skills that could improve their employment prospects.

Some graduates choose formal jobs after completing their education to earn an income and support their families. However, the available work may not match their qualifications or may offer low pay. Others struggle to make the move from education to employment and eventually become part of the NEET group.

"As a result, many students choose to get themselves a formal job/income source after graduation to support their families and often end up taking whatever brings in some stable income even if that is low-paying; others, however, struggle to transition into work and become NEET," the Aayog said.

Gap between education and jobs

The report also highlighted a mismatch between educational qualifications and employment. Only 8.25 per cent of graduates are employed in roles that match their qualifications, it said. According to the Aayog, limited exposure to practical learning and industry-linked training continues to affect the employability of formally educated young people.

The report called for affordable or subsidised training for NEET youth and women. It also suggested dedicated financial support in cases where cost remains a major barrier. Niti Aayog said training programmes should also give people opportunities to learn while earning.

"For the workforce and NEET youth, the need shifts towards mid-career reskilling, self-employment pathways, and learning options aligned to local demand and emerging sectors," the Aayog said in the report.

Skilling focus for Viksit Bharat

The report linked skilling with India's goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047. It said people need opportunities to continue learning, earning and progressing throughout their working lives. Niti Aayog also noted the scale of existing skilling efforts. Since 2014-15, more than 7.67 crore people have been trained, according to the report.