Higher education in India: The disconnect between theory and practical skills

Education beyond facts and figures

India's higher education system, while rich in theoretical knowledge, faces a significant challenge in equipping students with practical skills required for the workforce. This disconnect between theoretical learning and practical application has led to a growing employability crisis, where students find themselves unprepared for the competitive job market.

In India, the unemployment rate for those aged between 15-29 years increased to 10.2 pc in 2023-24, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25. This is largely due to the poor linkages between the academic institutions and the employment market as most of Indian education system is totally disconnected from what the market needs.

India’s higher education system is often known for its emphasis on theoretical knowledge. While this has produced generations of scholars and thinkers, there remains a significant gap when it comes to skill-based training and preparing students for the very real and competitive job market as the lack of hands-on experience leaves them unprepared for the demands of the job market.

Recently, the UGC announced comprehensive guidelines to incorporate skill-based education and micro/nano-credentials as part of the degree programmes offered by higher education institutes as part of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. These guidelines, focus on skill and experiential education, with the aim to overhaul the conventional educational framework and bridge the gap between academic learning and the job market.

“My degree provided me with valuable theoretical knowledge, but when it comes to practical, on-field experience, it fell short. The real world demands not only theoretical understanding but also practical skills that shape you into a true professional,” Tashleen Kaur, a recent journalism graduate and active job seeker, tells Media India Group.

Theoretical knowledge vs. practical application

In many universities across India, the focus of curriculums remains on theoretical concepts, with little emphasis on real-world applications. While a deep understanding of subjects and theory is necessary, these and other fields increasingly require students to possess technical and practical skills.

Most university curricula are outdated and do not align with the evolving requirements of the job market.

“We cannot directly blame the universities as well because they are very tightly bound by the syllabus provided to them. However, what these institutions think of the term practicality is sending children to the computer labs you know for them to be working on Java or C++ or for them practicality is extracurricular activities. What they fail to understand is that the concept of the entire practical skill set has changed. The students who will be sitting for campus recruitment require different practical skill sets,” Tanya Sharma, Human Resource Business Partner, Annapurna Finance Limited, a micro finance company, tells Media India Group.

“For example, one of the major lags which I have observed throughout my recruiting cycle is that students do not even know how to draft their resumes. They do not know the kind of words they are supposed to use, they do not know how to represent themselves through their resumes. So, this is a very basic thing. So, I believe universities are not providing anything apart from the bookish knowledge to the students,” she adds.

Students may graduate with extensive knowledge of concepts and principles, but when it comes to applying these ideas in a professional setting, they often struggle.

As a result, many graduates find themselves ill-equipped to meet the expectations of employers who value experience and practical competence over theoretical knowledge and often end up quitting too soon when faced with a challenge.

“When students enter into the corporate world, the challenges that hit them, they are not able to face it. Either they are ready to quit, these days students have become early quitters, they do not even stay six months in an organisation and they are ready to quit. Since challenges are not their cup of tea,” says Sharma.

“They are so scared and nervous, that when we throw something on them or something at them, they turn to Chat GPT for an answer. They do not have their own opinion, they do not have their own ideas to bring to the table. The only thing they know is Chat GPT and if they are not able to solve that problem, they pass it on to the others,” she adds.

This gap between education and employment has contributed to an increasing number of jobless graduates or those stuck in low-paying jobs that do not utilise their qualifications fully. According to the Economic Survey 2023-24, only 51.25 pc of India’s graduates are employable, with significant challenges in vocational training and skilling. The report also adds that the unemployment rate for young people aged 20–24 was 44.49 pc in early 2024.

“There are various challenges that I am facing. First, the lack of industry exposure and an outdated syllabus have been big hurdles. Adapting to the latest industry practices often requires self-learning beyond university coursework,” says Kaur.

The need for reform 

In recent years, some private institutions and alternative education platforms have begun to fill this gap by offering job-oriented courses that focus on practical skills. This trend, however, is not widespread, and the majority of state-run universities still follow a model that prioritises theoretical knowledge over practical application.

“In courses, vocational training is sufficiently integrated the syllabus, however integration and execution may not always be on the same page since there may not always be the most qualified faculty or time constraints for a full realisation,” Tushti Bajaj, an economics major tells Media India Group.

The growing need for skill-based education in India cannot be overstated. Employers are now looking for candidates who not only understand the theoretical underpinnings of their field but who also have the practical expertise to deliver results. Industries such as IT, healthcare, and manufacturing require professionals who are proficient in the use of the latest technologies and techniques. However, the traditional Indian university system has yet to adequately address this need.

“Students only and only know the bookish words and bookish knowledge. They do not know what is going on in the market. They do not know the organisation they will be working for. They do not know about that particular organisation itself,” says Sharma.

Reforms are necessary to integrate vocational training and practical learning into the educational structure. Additionally, there should be a concerted effort to update curriculums to reflect the skills needed in modern job markets. This would not only make graduates more employable but also bridge the widening gap between education and industry expectations.

“There should be more access to labs and practical resources provided to students, we should get more exposure to the industry through internships so we are aware of what they are stepping into after graduating,” says Bajaj.