Despite employability being a core focus under the National Education Policy 2020, only 16.67% of higher education institutions in India achieve over 75% placements within six months of graduation, according to a new report by TeamLease EdTech.
The study, which surveyed 1,071 institutions across public, private, deemed universities, autonomous, and affiliated colleges, highlights a significant gap between intent and execution. While over 90% of institutions recognize the importance of employability over traditional academic metrics, the integration of critical skills and industry-aligned practices remains fragmented.
Key findings from the report include:
- Soft skills gaps: Nearly half (49.39%) of institutions do not offer soft skills training, while only 36% embed them into curricula and just 15.75% provide continuous learning programs.
- Weak employer partnerships: Less than 10% of institutions report very strong engagement with employers, and only 25% have strong or very strong partnerships.
- Underutilized alumni networks: 43.51% of institutions report no engagement with alumni, missing critical mentorship and hiring opportunities.
- Limited applied learning: Only 25% of institutions frequently integrate live industry projects into coursework.
- Discipline-specific adoption: Management (68.42%) and Engineering & Technology (60.53%) lead in employability practices, while Commerce (54.39%), Science (53.51%), and Arts/Humanities (59.65%) lag behind.
Commenting on the findings, Shantanu Rooj, Founder & CEO, TeamLease EdTech, said:
“For decades, the system’s central promise was access to a degree. That promise still matters, but today the true test of higher education is how well it equips students to participate in the economy. This report reflects a system in transition — the pace and depth of adoption of employability practices will define the next phase.”
The report underscores that while employability has gained strategic focus, the challenge lies in moving from intent to full-scale execution. Without embedding employability in curriculum design, pedagogy, industry partnerships, and governance, India’s higher education system risks remaining a degree factory rather than evolving into an employability hub.
