The Indian job market is facing a serious crisis in 2024-2025, with a new wave of layoffs hitting multiple industries. From tech to finance, companies are downsizing, automation is replacing jobs, and fresh graduates are struggling to find work. While India was once seen as a country with a strong “demographic dividend” (meaning a young and skilled workforce), experts are now warning that it might turn into a “demographic disaster”.
Srinath Mallikarjunan, CEO and Chief Scientist of Unmanned Dynamics, recently took to LinkedIn to express his deep concerns about India’s worsening employment and employability crisis. He shared how his company’s Indian office had two internship openings but received 1,200 applications. Shockingly, only 20 candidates were shortlisted for further evaluation.
Mallikarjunan pointed out some hard-hitting realities:
- Many IIT students stop studying after cracking the JEE, making them unfit for real-world jobs.
- Private colleges and universities fail to provide valuable knowledge to students.
- Many students are first-generation graduates who earn degrees but lack actual skills.
- The education system is broken – outdated syllabus, meaningless exams, and unqualified teachers.
- As a result, millions of graduates are only fit for call centre or clerical jobs, which AI can soon replace.
His solution to these problems?
Learn from reputed international books.
Take advantage of NPTEL courses to build real knowledge.
Practice small projects independently and learn to use lab equipment effectively.
Have a look at his full post here:
Several professionals were in agreement with what he had to say. In fact, they highlighted how universities are more focused on marketing themselves instead of giving students the exposure and resources they need to build a solid base for themselves. Some even pointed out how with the stagnation in salaries and layoffs, candidates just want a job – any job – to be able to look after their families.
Have a look at some of the responses here:
With mass layoffs already happening and job opportunities shrinking, it’s time for India to rethink its education and employment strategy. Don’t you think?
