Volume VI Special Issue IV April 2026

Name of Author : Vasavi V, Dr. K B Rangappa

Title of the paper : Educated but Unemployed: Examining the Education Employment Mismatch in India

Abstract: The rapid expansion of educational access in India has significantly increased the number of individuals completing secondary and higher education. However, employment generation has not kept pace with this educational growth, leading to a growing education employment mismatch. This study examines the extent and nature of educated unemployment in India using secondary data from the Employment Exchange Statistics 2023, covering the period 2017 to 2022. The analysis focuses on trends in educated registrations, live registers, and education level wise distribution of unemployed jobseekers. The findings reveal that educated individuals consistently constitute a dominant share of the total unemployed population, accounting for nearly 80 per cent in 2022. The live register of educated jobseekers remains persistently high, indicating structural rather than temporary unemployment. A large proportion of unemployment is concentrated among 10th and 12th pass candidates, while notable numbers of graduates and postgraduates also remain unemployed, suggesting that higher education does not guarantee employment. The study highlights key challenges including skill gaps, limited formal sector job creation, curriculum industry mismatch, and gender disparities. It concludes that aligning educational outcomes with labour market demands through skill oriented reforms, improved job creation, and modernised employment services is essential to reduce educated unemployment in India.

Keywords : Education employment mismatch, Educated Unemployment, Skill Gap, Labour Market

DOI :

Page Number : 286-291