Charu Malhotra, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Primus Partners, shares her view on the role of skill universities in addressing India's unemployment challenge. She highlights that India’s economic growth faces headwinds, with unemployment emerging as a critical challenge. The Economic Survey 2023-24 reveals that only 51.25% of graduates are deemed employable, while CMIE data indicates a 44.49% unemployment rate among individuals aged 20–24 as of early 2024. A skills mismatch and shortage of quality job opportunities continue to hinder workforce readiness.

Skill universities have emerged as a transformative approach to bridge this gap by focusing on practical, industry-aligned education. Unlike conventional universities, they equip students with essential competencies for immediate employability. However, their success depends on industry collaboration, infrastructure development, standardization, and public perception. A well-integrated skill university ecosystem can enhance employability, reduce unemployment, and foster entrepreneurship, ultimately strengthening India’s economic growth. A collective effort from the government, industry, and educational institutions is crucial to realizing their full potential.