Graduate Unemployment in India: Structural Determinants, Labour-Market Inequalities, and Policy Implications (2011–2023)

This paper examines the structural drivers of graduate unemployment in India between 2011 and 2023. Using secondary data and state-level indicators, it analyses how skill mismatches, labour-market segmentation, demographic pressures, and unequal access to opportunities influence employment outcomes for young graduates. The study highlights persistent regional and gender disparities and the widening gap between higher-education expansion and job creation. The findings show that graduate unemployment in India is a structural challenge rather than a cyclical one, shaped by long-term policy and market rigidities. The paper concludes with targeted recommendations to strengthen employability, improve skill alignment, and address labour-market inequalities.