International Journal of Law and Business Studies (IJLBS)

Skill Development and Youth Employment in India: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Government Programs

India as a country with such a large youth base is at a demographic crossroads that the future of the Indian economy is pegged on the successful use of human resources. Although the country has been experiencing one of the highest rates of economic growth, unemployment and underemployment, particularly among the youths remains a challenge. Development of skills has thus become a strategic policy agenda to ensure that there is a better linkage between education and employability. This is a critical review paper on the effectiveness of government-initiated skill development programmes including Skill India Mission, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) among other programmes. The paper uses perspectives of official reports, scholarly research, and policy reviews to reveal accomplishments, gaps, and emerging trends in the skill ecosystem in India. It also examines the contribution that the private sector, NGOs, and international organisations have to put alongside government efforts. The results indicate that although the programmes have achieved significant improvements in widening the training infrastructure and enrolments, there have been threats regarding the nature, linkages to placements, and pertinence to the industries. The paper ends by giving policy suggestions on how to establish an integrated and inclusive and future oriented skill development framework that can effectively be translated into sustainable youth employment.