Engineering graduates struggle: Can colleges fix the skills gap?
- Chinmay
- March 19, 2025
- Artificial Intelligence, India, Internet of Things
- AICTE, Behavioural Science, Daily Coding, Demo Day, Education Policy, Employability, Engineering education, Engineering Students, Hands-On Learning, India Colleges, Job Placements, Outdated Curriculum, Practical Skill-Building, Skills gap, Tech Evolution
- 0 Comments
India’s engineering education system enrolls millions of students, yet only about 43% land jobs. Traditional, theory-heavy curricula haven’t kept up with rapid technological advances, leaving graduates ill-equipped for the demands of modern industry. According to Arindam Mukherjee, Co-founder and CEO of NextLeap, the fix requires a complete educational overhaul focused on behavioral science—shifting from “what do students need to know?” to “what habits should students form?”
AICTE data from 2019-20 to 2022-23 shows 6.01 million students enrolled across diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate engineering programs. However, only 2.64 million (~43%) secured placements. While factors like outdated curricula, scant industry exposure for faculty, and an absence of a standardized skills taxonomy are often cited, Mukherjee highlights another dimension: real learning stems from consistent behavior, not simply classroom teaching.
A study by the University of Pennsylvania underlines that behavior skills training (practical application, curated resources, and habit formation) drives real change, whereas knowledge-based instruction alone has negligible impact. This suggests shifting focus from theoretical teaching to actions such as daily coding, building prototypes, or repeated hands-on practice.
Redefining roles and assessments is essential. Instead of conventional lectures and tests, educators could serve more as mentors guiding hands-on projects. Assessments could become demo days where students showcase their work. Policy-level changes—such as revised accreditation standards or updated performance metrics—would further support this transformation and help keep pace with fast-evolving tech skills.
As India strives to capitalize on its demographic dividend, bridging the engineering skills gap is critical. Rapid tech evolution, shrinking skill half-lives, and industry’s urgent need for competent talent demand immediate action.
The question remains: Are India’s colleges ready to adapt and produce future-ready engineers?
