India’s demographic transition will see it emerge as the most populous nation in the working age group by 2030. However, while the overall unemployment rate is only 4.1% that year (PLFS 2022-23), youth unemployment remains a serious issue at above 12%. The situation is further enervated by the low share of 4.7% of the total workforce having been trained (NSDC 2023). A National Skill Census in the Union Budget 2025 might help realize this gap and thereby stimulate India’s growth in terms of skills.
While caste-based census issues have taken most of the political discourse, Karnataka 2023, along with Haryana and Maharashtra 2024, have found their voters focusing more on jobs, development, and safety. The MSME is rising to the challenges with schemes like “Approaches for MSME Development 2024” and a new Executive Development Programme aimed at reducing the skill gap and enhancing productivity. The India Skills Report 2024 emphasizes how the skill will determine global competitiveness and inclusive growth, especially with AI steering the future of work in the MSME sector.
Skill Mapping Initiative By Yogi Adityanath Government
As of 2020, the Uttar Pradesh government has mapped skills within the migrant worker population of about 2.35 million, identifying a skills matrix to facilitate fit job placements for those returning home. The survey incorporated the mapping of 94 categories of laborers, to match workers with MSME organizations. The survey was done through telephonic surveys. In such amicable terms with the major industry bodies like the Indian Industry Association and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), jobs were promised for about 11.5 lakh workers, with 2.5 lakh by the real estate sector and 7 lakh positions provided by other sectors.
India-UK Collaboration:
In May 2021, the Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement (MMPA) was signed by India and the UK to facilitate the legal movement of students and professionals. By 2024, cooperation was focused on scaffolding skills and mutual recognition. An important initiative was connecting India’s National Career Service portal with the job platform of the UK.
India-UAE Collaboration:
India and the UAE launched a pilot project to align India’s skill development programs with UAE job requirements. The NSDC partnered with the UAE’s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation to standardize qualifications and certifications for a more seamless process of workforce integration.
The Pilot Project of Andhra Pradesh
In October 2024, the Andhra Pradesh government initiated India’s first-ever Skill Census, which began in the Mangalagiri constituency and Thullur mandal. The initiative was aimed at analysing skill sets across 163,421 families to promote employment opportunities and bridge gaps between industry and workforce skills. The data gathering efforts were led by some 675 enumerators with an app called ‘Naipunyam,’ targeting individuals aged 18-40.
What hampered the pilot run of the Naipunyam app was, among other things, data collection. To gather the information, the enumerators were supposed to make candidates login with authentication through OTP, but many candidates refused to cooperate and provide their OTPs to the enumerators, thereby slowing down the process.
Main Loopholes Identified:
- Lack of Real-Time Data: Existing skill mapping systems often rely on outdated or static data, limiting their ability to adapt to rapidly changing market demands.
- Insufficient Industry Collaboration: Limited involvement of industries in designing skill training programs results in a mismatch between training outcomes and market requirements.
- Regional Imbalances: States like Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have made progress, but many regions lack adequate infrastructure for skilling programs, creating disparities.
- Inadequate Tracking Mechanisms: Most initiatives fail to monitor the long-term impact of skilling efforts on employability and career progression.
- Underrepresentation of Marginalized Groups: Women, persons with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups often face barriers to accessing skill development programs.
Stakeholders: A Collaborative Approach
The scale and complexity of a National Skill Census demand a concerted effort involving key stakeholders. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), NITI Aayog, and state skill development missions must spearhead this initiative, supported by industry associations such as CII and FICCI. Educational institutions, vocational training centres, and international organizations like UNESCO and the World Bank can provide technical expertise and funding.
The Roadmap to Implementation
To ensure its success, the Skill Census must be strategically planned and executed over three years at an estimated cost of ₹3,000-5,000 crore.
- Institutional Framework: Establish a Skill India Commission under the MSDE to oversee the census, which should be conducted biennially. A robust survey structure incorporating demographic data, skill categories, and employment trends is crucial.
- Technological Backbone: Develop a digital platform akin to Singapore’s SkillsFuture portal, incorporating AI for real-time analytics, multilingual support, and offline accessibility to cater to rural populations. Enumerators must be trained to ensure data accuracy and security compliance.
- Phased Rollout: Begin with pilot testing in states like Maharashtra, Bihar, and Kerala to address operational challenges. A phased rollout across states and Union Territories will ensure manageability and adaptability.
- Industry Alignment: Collaborate with industries to design skilling programs that address market demands, taking cues from Australia’s Job Outlook tool to match skills with labor market trends.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish an independent monitoring body for real-time progress tracking and impact assessments, ensuring transparency and adaptability in the process.
India’s demographic dividend is not a perpetual boon—it is a fleeting opportunity. Without urgent and decisive action, the country risks squandering its potential, perpetuating cycles of unemployment and underemployment. A National Skill Census is not just a policy option; it is an economic and moral imperative.
The time to act is now. Policymakers, industries, and civil society must rally together to ensure that India’s youth are not merely participants in the workforce but architects of a prosperous future.