The Crossbill News Desk
India faces a major challenge in bringing millions of young people into education and the workforce, with a new NITI Aayog report estimating that around 8.9 crore people between the ages of 15 and 29 are neither studying, working nor receiving any form of training.
The findings, reported by The Economic Times, are part of NITI Aayog’s report, Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047, which draws on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021.
The report categorises young people in the 15-29 age group into five segments — those in schooling, tertiary education, formal and informal work, those classified as not in education, employment and training (NEET), and women.
Highlighting the need for different approaches to skilling and employment, the report states: “For the workforce and NEET youth, the need shifts towards mid-career re-skilling, self-employment pathways, and learning options aligned with local demand and emerging sectors.”
The estimate of 8.9 crore NEET youth adds to growing concerns over unemployment and the shrinking availability of stable jobs for young Indians.
Earlier this year, the State of Working India 2026 report released by Azim Premji University had concluded that nearly 40% of youngsters between the ages of 15 and 25 were unemployed. It had also found that only around 7% of graduates were able to secure permanent salaried employment within a year.
The findings come against the backdrop of a period of heightened youth mobilisation over unemployment, examinations and alleged institutional failures. Most recently, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a major agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged paper leaks in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), a movement that eventually led to the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The NITI Aayog report now places another set of figures at the centre of the debate over India’s demographic future.
With nearly 8.9 crore young people estimated to be outside education, employment and training, the challenge extends beyond simply expanding skill-development programmes to creating meaningful and stable opportunities for a generation increasingly confronting unemployment and economic uncertainty.
The findings, reported by The Economic Times, are part of NITI Aayog’s report, Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047, which draws on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021.
The report categorises young people in the 15-29 age group into five segments — those in schooling, tertiary education, formal and informal work, those classified as not in education, employment and training (NEET), and women.
Highlighting the need for different approaches to skilling and employment, the report states: “For the workforce and NEET youth, the need shifts towards mid-career re-skilling, self-employment pathways, and learning options aligned with local demand and emerging sectors.”
The estimate of 8.9 crore NEET youth adds to growing concerns over unemployment and the shrinking availability of stable jobs for young Indians.
Earlier this year, the State of Working India 2026 report released by Azim Premji University had concluded that nearly 40% of youngsters between the ages of 15 and 25 were unemployed. It had also found that only around 7% of graduates were able to secure permanent salaried employment within a year.
The findings come against the backdrop of a period of heightened youth mobilisation over unemployment, examinations and alleged institutional failures. Most recently, the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) led a major agitation at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged paper leaks in the NEET (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test), a movement that eventually led to the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
The NITI Aayog report now places another set of figures at the centre of the debate over India’s demographic future.
With nearly 8.9 crore young people estimated to be outside education, employment and training, the challenge extends beyond simply expanding skill-development programmes to creating meaningful and stable opportunities for a generation increasingly confronting unemployment and economic uncertainty.
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