Why is unemployment still such a big problem in India? Seriously, who’s really responsible? Is it the government? The system? Or maybe… us? Because every time I hear people talk about unemployment, it feels like everyone’s pointing fingers at everyone else, and no one’s actually fixing anything.

Let’s be real, unemployment in India isn’t just one problem. It’s a big, messy mix of a hundred small ones. Some people say there are no jobs. Some say the jobs are too stressful. Some say the pay is too low. And honestly? All of them are right. In this country, salaries are way too low for the kind of work people do, and the work culture in many companies is just exhausting. There are people out there losing sleep, losing confidence, even losing their lives because of pressure and toxic environments. That’s not “development,” that’s disaster in slow motion.

Degrees, Degrees Everywhere, But No Real Skills

India has more graduates now than ever before, but let’s be honest, most of them aren’t getting jobs. Why? Because what we’re taught and what companies actually need are two completely different things. I’ve seen people spend lakhs on fancy degrees that don’t even teach them anything useful. Half the teachers don’t care, and the other half don’t even understand the subject properly. So students end up memorising theory just to pass exams. Then they walk out with a degree and realise they don’t know how to do actual work.

According to the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), less than half of the people trained under government skill programs actually get jobs. Less than half! So, imagine the government is spending crores to train people, but the system is still not producing employable candidates. It’s like pouring water into a leaking bucket. I’ve seen it with my own eyes: students who studied for years and now just sit at home scrolling through job portals. It’s not because they’re dumb. It’s because our system never taught them how to apply what they learned.

Government Is Trying, But Let’s Be Honest, It’s Not Enough

Now, I’m not saying the government’s sitting idle. It’s not. Programs like Skill India Digital Hub, PMKVY, SWAYAM, and NSDC were all made to give young people better skills and job training. According to official data, millions have enrolled. But here’s the truth: enrolling isn’t the same as getting employed. Most of these programs sound amazing on paper, but when you actually look at them closely, the impact is small. A lot of people, especially in villages, don’t even know these schemes exist. Some who do know can’t access them properly because of poor internet or a lack of digital skills.

And let’s be real, not all training centres are serious about teaching. I’ve read about places that hand out certificates without real training. They basically print you a “you’re now job-ready” certificate after teaching you for a few hours. What are people supposed to do with that? No company hires you just because of a piece of paper anymore.

As per a report by Observer Research Foundation, most skilling programs in India suffer because of poor implementation, weak employer links, and outdated courses. So yeah, the government is trying, but it’s like trying to fill a cracked pot; it keeps leaking.

The Harsh Truth: Sometimes, It’s Also Us

Okay, now here comes the part no one wants to admit: sometimes, we are the reason for unemployment, too. I’ve seen people who don’t want to work because they’re lazy. Straight up lazy. They’ll say “the job is too far” or “the office is too stressful,” but they’ll happily scroll social media all day. Some are scared of pressure or criticism. Some want success but not effort.

Some people aim for jobs they don’t even like. Like someone who hates coding, applying for IT jobs just because they sound fancy. Or someone terrified of talking to people applying for sales. Then, when it doesn’t work out, they blame the system. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true. I’ve seen it. We’ve become a generation that wants high pay, zero stress, and instant results. Nobody wants to fail or start small anymore. Everyone’s chasing big dreams, but no one wants to go through the boring, painful steps that lead there.

What About Companies?

Let’s not leave them out. Some organisations are also a big reason people don’t stay employed. The work culture in many Indian companies is toxic, with long hours, little pay, and no appreciation. They expect you to give your whole life for a salary that barely pays your rent. And when you complain, they tell you to be “grateful.” Grateful for what? For burnout? For anxiety? Some companies still believe working late means “dedication.” No, it doesn’t. It means your system is broken. This is why many young people quit early or start hating their jobs. It’s not that they don’t want to work; they just don’t want to lose their peace over it.

Let's see the numbers!

According to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), India’s unemployment rate in 2025 is about 5.1%. Sounds okay, right? But that’s the surface number. When you go deeper, it gets worse. About 13% of young people (aged 15–29) can’t find work. And women’s participation is only around 34%, not because they don’t want to work, but because of social and economic barriers. Now, if

you compare globally, the U.S. has around 4.2%, China also has around 5.1%, and the EU averages 5.9%. Countries like Qatar (0.2%), Thailand (1%), and Singapore (1.9%) have way lower rates. So India is kind of stuck in the middle, not terrible, but nowhere near where it should be. And here’s the scarier part: millions of educated youth are either underpaid or have just stopped looking for jobs because they’ve lost hope. The system breaks their spirit slowly, one rejection at a time.

So Who’s Really Responsible?

Honestly? Everyone. The government, the colleges, the companies, and yes, us. Everyone has a role in this mess. The government needs to make skill programs more accessible, modern, and linked to real employers. Colleges need to stop acting like degree factories and start teaching what actually matters. Companies need to stop overworking people and start respecting them. And we, the individuals, need to stop waiting for perfect conditions. We need to learn, adapt, and get out of our comfort zones. Unemployment isn’t just about job shortage, it’s about attitude shortage, too.

The Change Starts With Us

If we really want things to change, we have to start being honest with ourselves first. Maybe you won’t get your dream job right away. Maybe your first salary won’t be huge. But it’s okay. Work hard, learn real skills, and don’t stop trying. Because sitting at home blaming the system doesn’t fix anything.

India has so much talent, but what’s missing is direction. We don’t need everyone to be engineers or managers. We need skilled photographers, designers, content writers, electricians, tailors, creators, and everyone willing to work and grow. So the next time someone says, “There are no jobs in India,” maybe ask, are there really no jobs, or are we just not ready for the ones that exist?

Because in the end, it’s not just the government that needs to wake up. It’s us too.

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References:

• Reports on skill-based employment and training outcomes.
• Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) – Unemployment data for 2025 and comparative insights.
• Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India – Information on programs like Skill India Digital Hub and PMKVY.
• OECD and World Bank Data (2025) – Global unemployment rate comparisons.
• Economic Times & Business Standard Articles (2024–2025) – Insights on employability and youth workforce challenges.