GS-3Editorials26 August 2026thehindu.com

Root causes: On India’s youth crisis

The article discusses India's youth crisis, linking it to high costs of competitive exam coaching, declining undergraduate enrollment, and a severe youth employment problem. It attributes these issues to structural problems in the Indian economy, particularly the stagnant manufacturing sector's share in Gross Value Added (GVA) and a significant decline in corporate investment. The author argues that mere free coaching is insufficient and calls for increased public investment in industrial capacity, export-driven industrial support, and a more balanced regulatory environment to create jobs.

The article discusses India's youth crisis, linking it to high costs of competitive exam coaching, declining undergraduate enrollment, and a severe youth employment problem. It attributes these issues to structural problems in the Indian economy, particularly the stagnant manufacturing sector's share in Gross Value Added (GVA) and a significant decline in corporate investment. The author argues that mere free coaching is insufficient and calls for increased public investment in industrial capacity, export-driven industrial support, and a more balanced regulatory environment to create jobs.

Exam linkage

GS Paper 3: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment. GS Paper 1/2: Social empowerment, issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Syllabus mapping

Indian EconomyLabor & Demographic EconomicsMacroeconomic Trends & InflationIndian Culture Art ArchitectureModern Indian HistoryIndian Society DiversityGlobalization Indian SocietyIndian Constitution

This topic appears in Mains

Questions on Indian Economy come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.

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