Politics

The graduate trap: why more degrees mean fewer jobs in India

India is producing more graduates than ever before, yet secure and meaningful employment remains elusive for millions. As unemployment rises with educational attainment, the country's celebrated demographic dividend faces a critical test. Unless education, skills and job creation are better aligned, India's greatest economic advantage could become one of its most serious long-term challenges.

Suman Kalyan Moulick
15 min read
The graduate trap: why more degrees mean fewer jobs in India

A degree no longer guarantees a job

For generations, Indians have grown up with the belief that education is the surest route to a better life. The famous Bengali rhyme by Pandit Madanmohan Tarkalankar— "Study hard and you will ride in carriages"—captured that aspiration perfectly. In today's India, however, that promise is under unprecedented strain.

According to the latest State of Working India report by Azim Premji University, the unemployment rate among graduates aged 20–25 stands at around...

Join the Inscript family today to read the full article

All of Inscript's work, open to subscribers

Investigation, opinion, analysis
at just ₹149 - all of it within your reach

SubscribeAlready a Subscriber? Sign in
Written by
Suman Kalyan Moulick
Suman Kalyan Moulick
1 Followers

Read more

IIT Bombay's fan question: is changing the campus enough?

Sahil Wakode case: IIT Bombay's decision to install safety fans sparks debate on whether physical measures substitute for mental health support.

inscriptinscript
Four-day deadline: pay the dues or face a bigger movement

Workers of Hantapara, Dhumchipara and Garganda tea gardens, along with land-affected residents of Torsa Tea Garden, took out peaceful padayatras on September 22, seeking to place their long-pending demands before Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari. While tea workers demanded unpaid wages and other dues, Torsa protesters sought protection of land, homes and livelihood rights amid the proposed land-port project.

inscriptinscript
933 Schools Closed in Bengal But Where Did the Students Go?

West Bengal has shut 933 schools after years of zero enrolment, raising questions about shrinking student populations, teacher deployment and the future of unused school infrastructure.

inscriptinscript
India's Gender Gap: Laws change, minds don't

India has changed laws, expanded women’s political representation and improved access to education, yet its gender gap remains deeply rooted in social attitudes. From son preference and unequal property rights to unpaid care work, safety concerns and workplace discrimination, the challenge extends beyond policy. True gender equality requires not only legal reform, but a fundamental transformation in how society understands women’s rights, roles and freedom.

Suman SadhuSuman Sadhu
105 CCTV instances and a September 25 deadline, inside the Ram Temple donation case

The Ayodhya Ram Temple donation case raises wider questions over financial accountability, temple donation management, investigative transparency and Supreme Court-monitored oversight as the SIT probe moves toward its chargesheet.

inscriptinscript
Christian family in Howrah’s Bhatora alleges attacks and threats over religious faith

A Christian family in Howrah’s Bhatora has alleged attacks, threats and intimidation by neighbours over their religious faith. The family claims they were assaulted, locked inside their home and threatened with expulsion from the village and India. Police have deployed civic personnel outside their house. The allegations have renewed questions over religious freedom and the safety of Christians in West Bengal.

Sangita GhoraiSangita Ghorai
India-New Zealand FTA: What the new deal actually changes

Ind-New Zealand FTA- India and New Zealand will launch a milestone FTA on October 20, 2026, dropping tariffs to boost bilateral trade.

inscriptinscript
India’s Politics of Splits: From Congress to Trinamool

India’s political history has repeatedly been shaped by party splits, leadership struggles, ideological differences and electoral calculations. From the Congress split of 1969 and the Janata Party’s collapse to the divisions within Shiv Sena, NCP and the Trinamool Congress in 2026, these ruptures have reshaped political alliances, party identities and election symbols, while raising continuing questions about majority, legitimacy and the anti-defection law.

Atri BhattacharyaAtri Bhattacharya