India

Degree No Longer Enough? NITI Aayog Calls for Skills-Based Recruitment

Published: 27 August 2026 · 1 min read

What Happened

NITI Aayog, in its report “Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat,” highlighted a major mismatch between education and industry needs, noting that only 8.25% of graduates work in jobs aligned with their qualifications. The think tank called for reducing reliance on generic degree requirements, redesigning courses around industry needs, and expanding apprenticeships and work-integrated learning programs.

Key Takeaways

NITI Aayog argues that future hiring should focus more on skills and employability than degrees, especially as technology and AI reshape the labour market. Strengthening practical, industry-linked training could help workers adapt to changing job requirements and improve employment outcomes.

Sources

Mint, Indian Express