Understanding the Profile of Rural Youth in Marathwada:Implications for Occupational Aspirations

The present study was conducted with the specific objective to occupational Aspirations in Marathwada region, India. For the study, Parbhani, Nanded, Hingoli and Jalna districts were selected randomly from Marathwada region. From each districts two talukas were selected randomly. From each taluka three villages were selected randomly and from each village ten rural youth were selected randomly. Thus, total sample size 240. According to National Youth Policy India 2014, youths between the age of 15 to 29 from all educational streams were selected. Ex-post facto research design was adopted in this study. From the study it was found that, from total rural youth 61.25 per cent were male, 52.50 per cent respondents were graduate and above, 27.08 per cent respondent’s father were educated up to primary level, mother’s educated up to 35.83 per cent, 61.25 per cent had medium family size, 60.84 per cent belongs to nuclear family, 62.08 per cent respondent’s family had farming as an occupation, 51.25 per cent had medium family income, 41.25 per cent small land holding, 54.17 per cent had medium social participation, 62.92 per cent had medium exposure to mass media, 65.83 per cent had medium economic motivation and 67.92 per cent had medium risk orientation. These variables influence the occupational aspirations of rural youth, they do so to a moderate extent. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance the aspirations of rural youth toward occupations that align with regional and national development goals.