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UPSC Notes

Youth Unemployment in India

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

UPSC frequently examines challenges to India's demographic dividend, employment trends, skill development, and their socio-economic implications, including social stability and economic growth.

Youth unemployment refers to the situation where young people, typically aged 15-29, are actively seeking employment but are unable to find work. It is a critical socio-economic issue in India, impacting the realization of its demographic dividend and often leading to social unrest and despair.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Graduate Unemployment Rate (2022)

29.1%

Urban Youth Unemployment Rate (15-29, 2025)

13.6%

Informal Employment Share

~90% of workers

Increase in Student Suicides (2014-2024)

~80%

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaLabor & Demographic Economics
Conceptual areaWelfare Schemes & Social Policies

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Labour and EmploymentFormulates policies, collects data
Niti AayogPolicy recommendations, strategic planning
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • High graduate unemployment (29.1% in 2022) and urban youth unemployment (13.6% in 2025).
  • ~90% of workers in informal sector, lacking social security.
  • Low urban female labour force participation (~25%).
  • Rising student suicides (80% increase 2014-2024) linked to despair.
  • Challenges India's demographic dividend potential.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

International RelationsOpen question
2024Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following countries : 1. Italy 2. Japan 3. Nigeria 4. South Korea 5. South Africa Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the...

GeographyOpen question
2022Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years. 2. Vietnam is led by a multi-par...

International RelationsOpen question

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

EconomyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years. 2. Vietnam is led by a multi-par...

International RelationsOpen question

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

EconomyOpen question
2021Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

EconomyOpen question
2018Statement-based questions, Factual recall

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question
2017Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

Social Issues & SchemesOpen question

Topic timeline

Labor & Demographic EconomicsWelfare Schemes & Social Policies
Prelims 2017· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

Open question
Prelims 2021· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements: 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years. 2. Vietnam is led by a multi-par...

Open question

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years. 2. Vietnam is led by a multi-par...

Open question

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Consider the following countries : 1. Italy 2. Japan 3. Nigeria 4. South Korea 5. South Africa Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Factual recall, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

Open question

From Tahrir Square to Jantar Mantar: the fragility of protest victories

28 Jul 2026 · India faces a significant youth unemployment crisis, characterized by high rates among educated youth, a dominant informal sector, and low female labor force participation, leading to widespread despair and social unrest, as evidenced by rising student suicides and protests.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Youth Unemployment in India

Often confused with

Demographic Change and its Implications in India

Open notesOften confused with

Informal Sector and Urban Livelihoods

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Youth Unemployment in India in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Youth Unemployment in India

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

With reference of the Indian economy after the 1991 economic liberalization, consider the following statements: 1. Worker productivity (per worker at 2004-0...

2020·Economy
Solve

Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Gov...

2017·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years. 2. Vietnam is led by a multi-par...

2022·International Relations
Solve

Which of the following international conventions have **not** been ratified by India? 1. Employment Policy Convention 2. Abolition of Forced Labour Conventi...

2026·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the casual workers employed in India, consider the following statements: 1. All casual workers are entitled for Employees Provident Fund co...

2021·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

Consider the following countries : 1. Italy 2. Japan 3. Nigeria 4. South Korea 5. South Africa Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the...

2024·Geography
Solve

As per the NSSO 70th Round “Situation Assessment Survey of Agricultural Households”, consider the following statements 1. Rajasthan has the highest percentag...

2018·Social Issues & Schemes
Solve

In India, which one of the following compiles information on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments and lay-offs in factories employing workers?

2022·Economy
Solve

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