India's higher education system has seen numerous initiatives in the past decade aimed at improving quality, accreditation, and employability outcomes. However, despite these efforts, a glaring issue persists: the employability of graduates. This article delves into the challenges faced by the Indian higher education system, the government's efforts to address these issues, and the reforms needed to ensure that graduates are industry-ready from day one.
Contents of this Article
The State of Employability
Despite significant investments and reforms, the employability of graduates remains a critical challenge. A recent report by TeamLease Digital highlights that only 5.5% of Indian engineers possess basic programming skills. Even in fields like AI and ML, only 2.5% of engineers have the necessary expertise. This gap between education and industry requirements is alarming, especially as the Indian tech industry is poised for significant growth, with a resurgence in hiring expected in 2024.
Many institutions struggle with outdated curricula that do not keep pace with the rapidly evolving demands of the tech industry.
At the ground level, the situation in universities and colleges further exacerbates the employability issue. Many institutions struggle with outdated curricula that do not keep pace with the rapidly evolving demands of the tech industry. Faculty members, often burdened with administrative tasks and large class sizes, find it challenging to engage in continuous professional development or bring industry-relevant knowledge into the classroom.
Moreover, the focus on rote learning and theoretical knowledge in many colleges leaves students ill-prepared for real-world problem-solving and critical thinking, which are essential skills in today’s job market. Practical training, internships, and industry exposure are often limited or poorly integrated into the academic programs. This disconnect between academia and industry is a major factor contributing to the low employability rates among graduates.
Additionally, there is a lack of robust career services in many institutions. Career guidance, job placement support, and industry networking opportunities are often insufficient, leaving students to navigate the job market with little direction or support. The emphasis on academic achievement and grades, rather than skills development and career preparedness, further diminishes the employability of graduates.
These ground-level experiences highlight the urgent need for a holistic approach to education that prioritizes employability. Without addressing these fundamental issues, the gap between education and employment will continue to widen, leaving many graduates underprepared for the demands of the modern workforce.
Government Initiatives: Progress and Pitfalls
Since 2014, the Indian government has launched several initiatives to promote accreditation, ranking, and the implementation of Outcome-Based Education (OBE). Key initiatives include:
National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF): Launched in 2015, NIRF ranks institutions based on parameters such as teaching, learning, research, and inclusivity. Participation has increased from 2,426 institutions in 2016 to 6,517 in 2024, indicating growing recognition of its importance.
Outcome-Based Education (OBE): India's adoption of OBE, particularly after becoming a signatory to the Washington Accord in 2014, aims to align technical education with global standards. However, the implementation has been inconsistent across institutions.
Accreditation Reforms: The National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and the National Board of Accreditation (NBA) have undergone reforms to streamline processes and increase accessibility. As of 2023-24, NAAC has accredited 820 universities and 15,501 colleges, while NBA has accredited 1,213 institutions.
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: NEP emphasizes quality improvement and mandatory accreditation for all higher education institutions.
PARAMARSH Scheme: Launched in 2019, this scheme aims to mentor institutions aspiring to achieve high accreditation standards. Under this initiative, institutions with good accreditation status act as mentors to others, helping them improve their quality and eventually attain accreditation.
Migration of a significant portion of the student population to foreign universities is driven by the perception that Indian institutions are not adequately preparing students for employment, prompting many to seek better opportunities abroad.
Despite these initiatives, one of the most pressing concerns today is the migration of a significant portion of the student population to foreign universities. This trend is driven by the perception that Indian institutions are not adequately preparing students for employment, prompting many to seek better opportunities abroad. This brain drain not only impacts the quality of the workforce within the country but also signifies a loss of talent that could otherwise contribute to India's growth.
The Reality Behind Accreditation and Ranking
Despite the government's strong push for accreditation and ranking over the last decade, the question remains: Are these efforts translating into tangible results for students? The primary expectation of students pursuing higher education is to secure a pathway to either further education, employment, or entrepreneurship. For the vast majority, the goal is employment.
Is this due to a downturn in industry performance, or are there deeper, more systemic issues at play?
However, reports over the past year indicate that placement rates are declining. This raises a crucial question: Is this due to a downturn in industry performance, or are there deeper, more systemic issues at play? The tech industry, one of the largest employers of engineers, provides a revealing example.
Challenges in Curriculum and Accreditation
The current curriculum in many universities is outdated and misaligned with industry needs. AICTE's scrutiny of syllabi is minimal, focusing more on infrastructure and faculty than on the relevance of the curriculum. Annual audits by universities often overlook employability metrics, further widening the gap between education and industry expectations.
Accreditation and ranking metrics predominantly emphasize research output, often measured by the quantity of publications rather than their quality. Moreover, there is little focus on the impact of education on students' careers, particularly in terms of employability.
Accreditation and ranking systems in India, such as those implemented by NAAC, NBA, and NIRF, are designed to ensure quality in higher education.
However, these systems have several metrics that may not adequately address the core issues of curriculum relevance and employability.
Accreditation and ranking systems in India, such as those implemented by NAAC, NBA, and NIRF, have several metrics that may not adequately address the core issues of curriculum relevance and employability.
NAAC Accreditation Metrics
Curricular Aspects (10%): Evaluates the design and implementation of curriculum, but often focuses more on the process rather than its alignment with industry needs.
Teaching-Learning & Evaluation (20%): Assesses student enrollment, faculty quality, and teaching practices, but does not directly measure how these contribute to employability.
Research, Innovations, and Extensions (30%): Emphasizes the number of research publications and projects, with little regard for the relevance or quality of these publications in terms of industry impact or practical application.
Infrastructure and Learning Resources (10%): Focuses on physical and digital resources, with no direct correlation to how these resources improve employability outcomes.
Student Support and Progression (10%): Measures student services, but only a small portion is dedicated to career guidance and job placements.
Governance, Leadership, and Management (10%): Evaluates institutional management, but lacks metrics that link management practices to student career success.
Institutional Values and Best Practices (10%): Assesses the ethical and innovative practices of the institution, but without a direct tie to how these practices enhance student readiness for the job market.
NIRF Ranking Metrics
Teaching, Learning & Resources (30%): Includes faculty qualifications, student strength, and infrastructure but does not assess the relevance of teaching to current industry demands.
Research and Professional Practices (30%): Measures research output and citations, which often leads to a quantity-over-quality approach, ignoring the practical application or industry relevance of the research.
Graduation Outcomes (20%): Evaluates student success in terms of graduation rates and higher studies but does not adequately capture employability or job readiness.
Outreach and Inclusivity (10%): Focuses on social inclusiveness and diversity, with no direct link to employability outcomes.
Perception (10%): Based on stakeholder perception, this metric does not necessarily reflect the quality of education or its relevance to industry needs.
The Gap in Addressing Employability
While these metrics ensure a level of quality and standardization, they often fall short in directly assessing how well an institution prepares its students for the workforce. The emphasis on research quantity, infrastructure, and academic processes tends to overshadow critical aspects like curriculum relevance, industry partnerships, and skill development—areas that are crucial for employability.
There is a need for a more nuanced approach that integrates employability and curriculum relevance into the core metrics of both accreditation and ranking systems. This would ensure that higher education institutions are not only centers of academic learning but also hubs of practical, industry-aligned education that truly prepares students for their future careers.
The Missing Link: Practical Application and Research in Indian Higher Education
A significant gap in Indian higher education is the lack of emphasis on practical activities and their integration with deep research. Students continue to spend a disproportionate amount of time attending theory classes, where rote learning is still the norm. This issue persists even in private universities that market themselves as modern and progressive. Despite these claims, many of these institutions are following the same path of becoming graduate-generating machines rather than nurturing impact-driven citizens.
A significant gap in Indian higher education is the lack of emphasis on practical activities and their integration with deep research.
One glaring example of this is the mandatory requirement for attendance to gain credits. This outdated practice prioritizes physical presence over actual learning and skill development, often forcing students to focus on fulfilling attendance requirements rather than engaging in meaningful educational experiences.
One glaring example of this is the mandatory requirement for attendance to gain credits.
Furthermore, the current approach neglects the importance of fostering research consciousness and skill development at the school level. Introducing these elements early in a student’s academic journey is crucial for developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential in higher education and beyond.
To truly prepare students for the challenges of the modern world, there needs to be a fundamental shift in how education is delivered. This includes reducing the emphasis on theory-heavy curricula, incorporating more hands-on projects, and linking academic learning with real-world applications through research and innovation. Only by addressing these shortcomings can Indian higher education institutions begin to produce graduates who are not just academically accomplished but also capable of making significant contributions to society.
Global Examples: Leading Engineering Universities Setting New Standards
Two of the world’s top engineering universities, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Stanford University, offer a stark contrast to the traditional approach seen in many Indian institutions.
MIT emphasizes a "learning by doing" philosophy, integrating practical projects and research directly into the curriculum. Students are encouraged to engage in hands-on activities, from developing startups to working on cutting-edge research, even at the undergraduate level. This approach ensures that theory is immediately linked with application, fostering deeper understanding and innovation.
Stanford University similarly prioritizes experiential learning and research. Its "Flipped Classroom" model minimizes time spent in traditional lectures, allowing students to focus on collaborative projects, internships, and research initiatives. Stanford’s emphasis on entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary collaboration equips students with both technical skills and the ability to apply them in real-world scenarios.
Fostering a culture of innovation and practical learning not only enhances student engagement but also produces graduates who are better prepared to tackle complex global challenges.
These universities demonstrate that fostering a culture of innovation and practical learning not only enhances student engagement but also produces graduates who are better prepared to tackle complex global challenges. By contrast, many Indian institutions remain focused on rote learning and mandatory attendance, missing the opportunity to truly engage students in meaningful educational experiences.
For Indian institutions to produce industry-ready graduates and impactful citizens, they must take inspiration from these global examples, integrating practical activities and research into the core of their educational approach.
The Race for Rankings: Losing Sight of the True Goal
In the intense competition to achieve higher rankings in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), and to secure better marks in NBA and NAAC accreditations, many universities are losing sight of their actual mission: to create impactful graduates equipped for the challenges of the 21st century. While the race for rankings can drive improvements, it has also led institutions to prioritize metrics over meaningful education. The focus has shifted from producing well-rounded, industry-ready graduates to simply ticking boxes for rankings and accreditations.
In the intense competition to achieve higher rankings in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), and to secure better marks in NBA and NAAC accreditations, many universities are losing sight of their actual mission.
This obsession with rankings has inadvertently turned the solution—meant to ensure quality—into a problem itself. Universities are increasingly tailoring their efforts towards what will improve their standings rather than what will best serve their students. This misalignment has created a scenario where institutions compete towards a goal that has little to do with preparing graduates to lead in an uncertain and rapidly changing world.
For Indian higher education to fulfil its true purpose, there needs to be a shift in focus from achieving high rankings to ensuring that these rankings genuinely reflect the quality and impact of the education provided. Only then can universities truly prepare students to navigate and succeed in the complexities of the modern world.
The Path Forward: Revolutionary Reforms Needed
To address these challenges, a multi-faceted approach is required, involving both government and educational institutions.
Government Action Plan
Revamp Accreditation and Ranking Metrics: Introduce employability as a key metric in accreditation and ranking frameworks. Institutions should be evaluated based on the percentage of graduates securing employment in their field of study.
Curriculum Overhaul: Mandate regular updates to curricula in consultation with industry leaders to ensure alignment with current and future industry demands. AICTE should incorporate curriculum relevance and employability outcomes into its approval processes.
Incentivize Industry-Academia Collaboration: Encourage partnerships between industry and academia to co-develop curricula, offer internships, and facilitate real-world project work for students.
Enhanced Monitoring and Accountability: Establish a robust monitoring system to ensure that accredited institutions maintain high standards of education and employability outcomes. Penalties should be imposed on institutions that fail to meet these standards.
Institutional Actions
Focus on Skill Development: Colleges must prioritize skill development, particularly in emerging fields like AI, ML, and cybersecurity. This includes offering specialized courses, workshops, and certifications in collaboration with industry experts.
Strengthen Career Services: Establish dedicated career services teams to assist students with internships, job placements, and career counselling. These teams should work closely with industry to understand and address skill gaps.
Adopt a Student-Centric Approach: Institutions should focus on the holistic development of students, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed in their careers. This includes offering soft skills training, entrepreneurial support, and exposure to industry practices.
Continuous Improvement through Feedback: Implement a feedback loop where alumni and employers provide insights into the effectiveness of education programs, allowing institutions to make necessary adjustments.
Benefits of Reforms
For Students
Increased Employability: Students will graduate with the skills and knowledge needed to secure employment in their chosen field.
Industry Readiness: Graduates will be able to start performing from day one, reducing the need for extensive training by employers.
Career Growth: A strong foundation in relevant skills will lead to better career prospects and growth opportunities.
For Companies
Reduced Training Costs: Companies will save time and resources on training new hires, as they will be industry ready.
Improved Productivity: Employees who are well-prepared and skilled will contribute to the company's success from the outset.
Access to a Skilled Workforce: Companies will have a larger pool of qualified candidates to choose from, leading to better hiring decisions.
For Colleges
Enhanced Reputation: Colleges that produce industry-ready graduates will gain a reputation for excellence, attracting more students and partnerships.
Higher Rankings and Accreditations: A focus on employability and skill development will lead to better rankings and accreditations, further boosting the institution's standing.
Stronger Industry Connections: Collaborations with industry will lead to new opportunities for research, funding, and student placements.
The challenges facing India's higher education system, particularly in terms of employability, are significant but not insurmountable. With targeted reforms in accreditation, curriculum development, and industry collaboration, we can ensure that graduates are not only educated but also prepared to succeed in the competitive global marketplace. Addressing these core issues is crucial not just to retain our talented youth within the country, but also to prevent the ongoing brain drain that hampers India's progress. The time for action is now, and the benefits will be felt across the entire ecosystem—from students to companies to educational institutions.
Further Reading
India Skills Report 2023: https://wheebox.com/IndiaSkillsReport.htm
National Education Policy 2020: https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf
Washington Accord - NBA India: https://www.nbaind.org/En/1043-washington-accord.aspx
Practical Learning in Higher Education: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/332567341_Practical_Learning_in_Higher_Education
Impact of Rankings on Higher Education in India: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/impact-of-rankings-on-higher-education-in-india/
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