Unlock the youth power!

Metro India News | Hyderabad

India’s large working-age population presents a major demographic opportunity, but persistent unemployment, delays in government recruitment and gaps in skill development could turn that advantage into a serious social and economic challenge, according to a policy analysis focused on youth employment in Telangana. The analysis estimates that around 58.75 crore people in India and 1.62 crore people in Telangana fall within the 21–45 age group. It argues that providing this population with quality education, employable skills, jobs and income opportunities could generate a significant demographic dividend for the country.

Concerns over government recruitment

The analysis points to Congress Party’s commitment during the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections to fill two lakh government posts within a year of assuming office. It claims that fewer than 70,000 posts have so far been filled and that the promised monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 4,000 has also not been implemented. The recruitment process itself has also become a source of frustration, the analysis says. Allegations and instances of question-paper leaks, examination irregularities and prolonged recruitment procedures have further weakened confidence in the system, it adds.

Citing the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), it states that the unemployment rate among people aged 15–29 was 9.9% nationally in 2025, compared with 18.1% in Telangana. The shortage of suitable employment opportunities in Telangana is also linked to migration to Gulf countries, according to the analysis. It estimates that about 16 lakh people from Telangana are working in Gulf countries.

Skill development needs stronger employment links

The changing nature of the job market has made a degree alone insufficient for many employment opportunities. Communication, marketing, technical and job-specific skills are increasingly important, while artificial intelligence, automation, robotics, digital technologies and data analytics are transforming employment patterns. For rural youth, electrical work, plumbing, construction technology, healthcare, logistics, food processing, agricultural technology and solar energy are identified as potential areas of employment. For urban youth,  artificial intelligence, coding, data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing, accounting and design are identified.

Special focus on BC youth

The analysis also calls for special attention to youth from Backward Classes, arguing that unemployment, poverty and social justice are interconnected issues. It further recommends that caste census-related data collection cover not only population but also education, employment, income, entrepreneurship and representation in government employment. Such data, it argues, could help governments design more evidence-based social justice policies.

Given the scale of the employment challenge, the analysis proposes the creation of a dedicated Ministry of Youth Employment or a National Youth Employment Mission at the Centre, along with a State Youth Employment Mission in Telangana. The analysis proposes that departments publicly disclose the number of sanctioned, filled and vacant posts, reservation-roster details and the status of recruitment. It also recommends that governments publish an Annual Employment Recruitment Calendar and establish a fixed six-to-12-month timeframe for completing recruitment processes, from identification of vacancies to notification, examination, results and appointments.

- T Chiranjeevulu (The author is retired IAS officer and Chairman of BC Intellectuals Forum Hyderabad)

Ten-point strategy proposed

1. Conducting human-resource assessments to identify new staffing requirements in sectors affected by changing social and economic conditions.

2. Filling government vacancies within defined timeframes.

3. Promoting labour-intensive manufacturing and strengthening MSMEs through better access to credit, technology and markets.

4. Preparing a District Employment and Skill Development Plan for every district.

5. Linking government incentives for industries to the number of local jobs created.

6. Connecting skill-development programmes directly with employment and placements.

7. Supporting young entrepreneurs and start-ups.

8. Expanding rural employment opportunities in food processing, tourism, healthcare, renewable energy and agricultural technology.

9. Introducing career guidance from the school and college levels.

10. Preparing young people for employment changes caused by artificial intelligence and automation.