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8.7 Crore Indians Neither Studying Nor Working; 88% Tied To Domestic Duties: NITI Aayog
An estimated 8.7 crore Indians are not studying, working or undergoing training, highlighting a major challenge for the country’s workforce as India targets Viksit Bharat by 2047.
The finding comes from NITI Aayog’s report, ‘Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047’. The estimate is based on data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey conducted in 2021.
The report says nearly 88% of this group is engaged in domestic duties. The finding points to a wider challenge than unemployment alone. It also raises questions about access to education, training and opportunities to enter or return to the workforce.
NITI Aayog has proposed a new skilling framework that recognises different stages of people’s education and working lives. It identifies five broad learner groups. These include school students, people in tertiary education, formal and informal workers, people outside education, employment and training, and women.
Together, these groups cover around 60 crore citizens, according to the report.
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NITI Aayog pushes lifelong skilling model
The policy think tank argues that India’s skilling system should move away from a simple school-to-job model. Instead, people should be able to move between education, training and employment throughout their lives.
The proposed architecture rests on three principles: non-linear learning pathways, lifelong skilling and outcome-based measurement. Success would be assessed through employability, career progression and livelihoods rather than training numbers alone.
States are expected to play a central role in implementing this approach. NITI Aayog has proposed aligning education, skilling and employment systems with local labour markets and district-level needs.
The government has also allocated Rs 600 crore to the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship for FY27 under the Integrated Scheme in Skilling Architecture. State Skills Transformation Pilots have been proposed in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam.
The proposed reforms aim to make India’s skilling system more flexible and closely linked to actual employment opportunities.
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