Young Indians seek meaningful careers in shifting job market.

India has one of the youngest populations in the world; thus how it uses its young people will determine whether it develops into a developed nation by 2047. Young people are calling for a greater say in the economic structures that affect them as the nature of labor changes.

India, whose population is among the youngest in the world, is at a turning point in its demographic history. Young people are more important than ever in helping to shape the country’s 2047 vision of becoming a developed nation, known as Viksit Bharat. As long as it is developed, skilled, and in line with new economic realities, India’s youth’s immense energy and ambition might be its greatest asset.

All expectations are changing as a result of the changing nature of employment. Automation, entrepreneurship, digital revolution, and climate change are altering jobs and spawning new industries. Young people are demanding a seat at the table amid this shift, not just being passive bystanders.

In a world that is changing, reimagining work and skills

The Chief Operating Officer of YuWaah (Generation Unlimited India), Abhishek Gupta, offers his thoughts on this shifting trend. He claims that “the nature of work is changing rapidly.”

The need for AI expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and green jobs is growing. “We can see that young people are eager to acquire future-focused skills that will be useful not just now but also in the future.”

According to Gupta, accessibility—how opportunities and skills reach youth across regions—is now the main focus. The goal is to establish areas where volunteerism, employment opportunities, and skill development converge through cooperative platforms and digital projects. However, involving young people in the process of creating the frameworks that will affect their economic futures is just as important as providing them with training.

ASPIRATIONS FOR YOUTH

The way that young people view their place in the economy is undergoing a significant change. They are increasingly looking for influence as well as work—a chance to help shape the structures that will guide their professional careers.

According to Gupta, “there is a clear move towards flexible and purpose-driven work.” The regular 9–5 job no longer appeals to young people. Rather, they are looking into professions that fit with their ideals, whether it be in social enterprise, technology, or sustainability.

Strong entrepreneurial aspirations are revealed by data collected through pulse surveys, particularly among individuals over 25. It’s interesting to note that over 50% of respondents, regardless of gender, did not think full-time work was a better option than operating a business. This points to a wider cultural shift in the Indian workforce by indicating a growing comfort level with risk and a desire for autonomy.

CONSTRUCTING COLABORATIVE CHANGE ECOSYSTEMS

In order to achieve these goals, an ecosystem is needed, not only programs. Additionally, that ecology needs to be highly cooperative. YuWaah’s approach has been to bring together a variety of stakeholders, including the commercial sector, civil society organizations, government agencies, and young people.

The concept is straightforward but effective: no one institution can address youth issues alone. Collaborations that provide financial, moral, and technical assistance are crucial. Initiatives to find grassroots solutions and scale them with the backing of collective support networks, for instance, are assisting in closing the gap between systemic impact and young innovation.

India’s ambition to become a developed country by 2047 would largely rely on how well it uses its young people. For marginalized groups, such as young women, rural residents, and communities that have historically been excluded from opportunities, the stakes are especially high.

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