Graduate Employability Drops: Concerns Over Indian Education System's Readiness

Infosys Layoffs Spark Call for Educational Reforms in Programming Training

Undoubtedly, India is progressing in the education field, with most global universities partnering with India and students shining on the global platform. However, despite these advancements, Indian students are still lagging in their foundational education. According to the India Graduate Skill Index 2025 report by Mercer Mettl, there has been a decline in graduate employability, dropping from 44.3% in 2023 to 42.6% in 2024. This suggests that a significant number of graduates may lack the necessary skills and foundational knowledge required by the industry.

This concern is further compounded by the recent news of Infosys laying off freshers, which has ignited a heated debate within higher education circles. The company defended its decision, stating that these graduates were given training and three opportunities to pass the evaluation. Despite these efforts, they failed, leading to their dismissal. This incident highlights a deeper issue: reports suggest that only a small fraction of Indian computer engineers possess basic programming skills, raising concerns about the competency of Indian graduates in programming.

Programming, like mathematics, is a skill honed through consistent practice. However, many engineering institutions face criticism for outdated syllabi and a lack of coding culture. Reports indicate that most institutions offer fewer than 20 programming exercises per lab, which are repeated in final exams. As a result, students memorize exercises instead of developing a deep understanding. This raises the question: is India’s education system evolving fast enough to meet industry demands, especially with AI-driven automation reshaping the job market? This challenge is further amplified by global tech industry layoffs, with over 150,000 employees laid off across 542 companies in 2024 alone.

The demand for AI and machine learning skills is rising, with 46% of graduates employable in AI-related roles, while employability in non-technical roles is declining. Graduates without AI exposure are struggling to stay competitive. Employability rates vary across educational tiers, with graduates from Tier 1 colleges leading. Regional and gender differences persist, though the gap between male and female graduates remains small.

Employers are valuing soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and leadership as AI automation takes over routine tasks. However, global layoffs continue, with companies like Amazon and Meta restructuring, often cutting roles that can be automated. For Indian graduates, this highlights the need for proactive upskilling. AI expertise, along with adaptability and cross-functional skills, is becoming essential. This shift emphasizes the importance of evolving education and training systems to prepare graduates for a changing job market. This evolving landscape underscores the critical need for India to reform its educational practices and focus on building a strong foundation for future graduates.

Editor's Note

The recent news about Infosys laying off freshers has sparked a big debate and made us rethink our education system. According to the India Graduate Skill Index 2025 report by Mercer Mettl, employability has dropped from 44.3% in 2023 to 42.6% in 2024, showing that many graduates lack the skills needed by the industry. This situation highlights a bigger problem: many Indian computer engineers have only basic programming skills, raising concerns about their competence. Many engineering institutions in India are criticized for outdated syllabi and a lack of coding culture. Reports say that most institutions offer fewer than 20 programming exercises per lab, which are repeated in exams. This leads to students memorizing the exercises instead of truly understanding them. Employers are now valuing not just technical skills but also soft skills like communication, critical thinking, and leadership, as AI automates routine tasks. For Indian graduates, this shows the need to focus more on upskilling. AI knowledge, along with adaptability and cross-functional skills, is becoming essential.

Skoobuzz believes India’s education system needs a complete update. It is important to refresh syllabi, encourage consistent practice and innovation, and focus on developing both technical and soft skills.