NITI Aayog calls for major redesign of India’s skilling system

NITI Aayog has released a report titled ‘Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047’, calling for a fundamental redesign of India’s skilling architecture to meet the economic goals of 2047. Prepared with the Boston Consulting Group as a knowledge partner, the report argues that incremental changes are insufficient to prepare the workforce for future demands.

The analysis identifies a significant gap between educational output and economic participation. An estimated 8.7 crore youth aged 15 to 29 are classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training). The report highlights a persistent mismatch between academic curricula and market demand, noting that many graduates lack the practical, industry-aligned competencies required by employers.

Key challenges identified include the high cost of vocational training, which disadvantages low-income households, and the difficulty of combining learning with earning. The report also notes gender disparities, stating that only 3 per cent of women are in formal jobs, while 71 per cent are in informal work or the NEET segment. To address these issues, the report proposes a new architecture based on non-linear pathways, lifelong skilling, and outcomes-based success measures.