India’s demographic transition will see it emerge as the most populous nation in the working age group by 2030. However, while the overall unemployment rate is only 4.1 percent, youth unemployment remains a serious issue at above 12 percent. The situation is further enervated by the low share of 4.7 percent of the total workforce having been trained. A National Skill Census might help fill this gap.
While caste-based census issues have taken most of the political discourse, Karnataka 2023, along with Haryana and Maharashtra 2024, have found their voters focusing more on jobs, development and safety. The MSME is rising to challenges with schemes like ‘Approaches for MSME Development 2024’ and a new executive development programme aimed at reducing the skill gap. The India Skills Report 2024 emphasises how skill will determine global competitiveness and inclusive growth, especially with AI steering the future of work in the MSME sector.
As of 2020, the Uttar Pradesh government mapped skills within the migrant worker population of about 2.35 million, identifying a skills matrix to facilitate fit job placements for those returning home. The survey incorporated the mapping of 94 categories of labourers to match workers with MSME organisations. In such amicable terms with major industry bodies like the Indian Industry Association and the Confederation of Indian Industry, jobs were promised for about 11.5 lakh workers, with 2.5 lakh by the real estate sector and 7 lakh provided by other sectors.
In May 2021, the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement was signed by India and the UK to facilitate legal movement of students and professionals. By 2024, cooperation was focused on scaffolding skills. An important initiative was connecting India’s National Career Service portal with the UK job platform.
India and the UAE launched a pilot project to align India’s skill development programmes with UAE’s job requirements. The NSDC partnered with the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to standardise qualifications.
In October 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government initiated India’s first-ever skill census, which began in the Mangalagiri constituency and Thullur mandal. The initiative was aimed at analysing skill sets across 1,63,421 families to promote employment opportunities and bridge gaps between industry and workforce skills. The data gathering efforts were led by some 675 enumerators with an app called Naipunyam, targeting individuals aged 18-40.
What hampered the pilot run of the app was data collection. To gather the information, the enumerators were supposed to make candidates login with authentication through OTP, but many candidates refused to cooperate and provide their OTPs to the enumerators, thereby slowing down the process. Ritwik Mehta
Looking at these cases, we have been able to identify some main issues we face:
1. Existing skill mapping systems often rely on outdated or static data, limiting their ability to adapt to rapidly changing market demands.
2. Limited involvement of industries in designing skill training programmes results in a mismatch between training outcomes and market requirements.
3. States like Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have made progress, but many regions lack adequate infrastructure for skilling programmes.
4. Most initiatives fail to monitor the long-term impact of skilling efforts on employability and career progression.
5. Women, people with disabilities and other disadvantaged groups face barriers to accessing skill development programmes.
The scale and complexity of a national skill census demand a concerted effort involving key stakeholders. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), NITI Aayog and state skill development missions must spearhead this initiative, supported by industry associations. Educational institutions, vocational training centers, and international organisations like UNESCO and the World Bank can provide technical expertise and funding.
To ensure its success, the census must be executed over three years at an estimated cost of `3,000-5,000 crore.
A Skill India Commission must be established under the MSDE to oversee the census, which should be conducted biennially. A robust survey structure incorporating demographic data, skill categories, and employment trends is crucial.
Develop a digital platform akin to Singapore’s SkillsFuture portal, incorporating AI for real-time analytics, multilingual support, and offline accessibility to cater to rural populations. A phased rollout across states and Union Territories will ensure manageability and adaptability.
Collaborate with industries to design skilling programmes that address market demands, taking cues from Australia’s Job Outlook tool to match skills with labour market trends. Establish an independent monitoring body for real-time progress tracking and impact assessments.
India’s demographic dividend is not a perpetual boon—it is a fleeting opportunity. Without urgent and decisive action, the country risks squandering its potential, perpetuating cycles of unemployment and underemployment. A national skill census is not just a policy option, it is an economic and moral imperative.
The time to act is now. Policymakers, industries, and civil society must rally together to ensure India’s youth are not merely participants in the workforce but architects of a prosperous future.
(Views are personal)
Ritwik Mehta | Political strategist and founder of Niti Tantra, a youth-led policy think tank