India faces a big challenge of job creation: 80 lakh to 1 crore jobs are needed every year, emphasis on skill and technology

New Delhi, 20 April 2025: Job creation is the biggest challenge facing India's rapidly growing economy. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Indian experts, India will have to create 80 lakh to 1 crore new jobs every year to meet the needs of the youth population. For this, not only skill development will have to be focused on, but technical knowledge and digital proficiency will also have to be increased. Let us understand the facts, reasons, and solutions to this challenge.

Need for job creation: figures and facts

India's population crossed 1.4 billion in 2022, and is expected to reach 1.5 billion by 2030. According to the ILO report for 2024, 12-15 million youth are joining the workforce in India every year. However, currently only 50-60 lakh jobs are being created annually, leaving a shortage of 60-70% new jobs. According to data from the Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), the unemployment rate was 7.6% in March 2025, with 8.2% in rural areas and 6.9% in urban areas.

The Economic Survey 2024-25 estimated that India will have to create 78.5 lakh non-farm jobs by 2030 and 64.3 lakh jobs by 2028. Experts say that if India has to become a developed economy by 2047, it will have to create 80 lakh to 1 crore jobs every year.

Need for skill and technical knowledge

One of the major reasons for unemployment in India is skill mismatch. According to a report by the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), only 47% of graduates and 52% of technical degree holders are employable. There is a lack of expertise in emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Analytics, and Cybersecurity. The World Economic Forum's 2024 report said that 65% of Indian youth need digital and technical skills.

Cognizant India CEO Rajesh Nambiar recently said, "There is no shortage of talent in India, but there is a lack of technical training and industry-ready skills." The government has set a target of training 4 crore people by 2025 under the Skill India Mission, but progress has been slow.

Challenges and Solutions

India faces many challenges, such as lack of education system reforms, lack of skill centres in rural areas, and gender disparity. Only 29% of women are in the workforce, which is a huge opportunity for job creation.

Expert Suggestions:

1. Skill Universities: Specialised universities for technical and digital skills.
2. Industry-academia partnership: Better synergy between colleges and industries.
3. Rural Skill Centres: Training centres for rural youth.
4. Women Empowerment: Increasing women's participation in gig and remote work.

Social and Global Context

#IndiaJobs and #SkillIndia are trending on social media. "India needs jobs, but needs to teach data science and coding in schools," wrote a user on X. Globally, India's youth workforce is considered its advantage. The World Bank said in 2024 that India's workforce growth will be 7% by 2030, making it a leader in the global economy.

Conclusion

India needs to create 80 lakh to 1 crore jobs every year to take advantage of its young population. Skill development and technical knowledge are the keys to this goal. Government schemes and private sector participation can make this possible, but improvements in the education and training system are essential. Will India be able to turn this challenge into an opportunity? It depends on the cooperation of the government, industries, and youth. If this target is achieved, India will not only become an economic superpower by 2047, but will also fulfill the dreams of its youth.