Priyanka Gandhi Blames ‘Failed Education System’, Lack of Jobs for Youth Unrest

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday claimed that India’s unemployment rate is at its highest level in four decades, attributing growing frustration among young people to a combination of an inadequate education system and limited job creation.

Speaking to reporters at the Parliament House complex, Priyanka said the recent student protests reflected wider unrest and disappointment among the youth. Her remarks came in response to a NITI Aayog report highlighting the large number of young Indians who are neither studying, working nor undergoing vocational training.

“There is a lot of unrest, disappointment and frustration amongst the youth,” Priyanka said, adding that the situation was the result of a “failed education system” and a lack of job creation over the past 12 years.

According to the NITI Aayog report, titled Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047, an estimated 8.7 crore people aged 15 to 29 fall into the category of youth who are not in education, employment or training, commonly referred to as NEET youth.

The report, based on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021, stressed the need for subsidised skilling programmes aimed at promoting self-employment and matching workers with local employment opportunities and emerging sectors.

NITI Aayog categorised India’s workforce and learners into five broad groups: schooling, tertiary education, formal and informal employment, NEET youth and women.

The report noted that NEET youth face challenges including the absence of income and the financial burden associated with previous education. It also observed that students may find it difficult to pursue paid skill training alongside existing financial commitments.

Priyanka further alleged that government policies were hurting MSMEs and the agricultural sector, both important sources of employment. She also criticised what she described as insufficient emphasis on manufacturing and micro, small and medium enterprises.

The Congress leader said these concerns had been raised by her party repeatedly, amid continuing debate over employment generation and skill development in India.