India is poised for something extraordinary. Its population of 1.4+ billion, half of whom are under the age of 30, offers an unparalleled advantage in a world where developed economies face labor shortages due to aging populations.
India isn’t a new entrant or an up-and-coming star. It already commands center stage on many fronts. With its large youth population and a workforce that will only grow as others age, India has what every nation envies—young, ambitious people hungry for opportunity. Talk about being a talent powerhouse! Over the next two decades, the global demand for skilled talent will soar. India is perfectly positioned to meet this demand. Or is it?
Will India’s youth be ready to seize these opportunities?
I ask this because readiness isn’t guaranteed. The global job market isn’t interested in rote memorization or exam scores. It demands creativity, adaptability, critical thinking, and real-world skills. Yet, for all of India’s progress, too much of its education system still clings to outdated models. Many institutions prioritize knowing over doing, grades over growth, and degrees over skills.
And therein lies the gap.
I’ve seen this gap play out in ways that are both frustrating and heartbreaking. Employers lament that millions of graduates are simply not employable. Not because they lack intelligence or drive, but because the system hasn’t equipped them with what the world needs. On the other hand, graduates express frustration over not being prepared for employment on a global stage, despite being “educated.” Every year, the system churns out millions of graduates. But how many of them are truly employable worldwide?
This isn’t just an India problem. It’s a global one. The world needs Indian talent, but the bridge between potential and opportunity is far from complete.
The next decade will be critical. If India can evolve its education system to focus on skill development, experiential learning, and industry integration, it won’t just be a player on the global stage. It will be the coach, shaping how the future unfolds. But if it fails to act, the opportunity won’t wait.
The role of global universities in this journey cannot be overstated. For too long, the model has been the same: recruit the brightest and wealthiest Indian students to study abroad. Period. This model works for the few but fails the many. Only a tiny fraction of India’s youth will ever have the chance to study overseas. What about the rest?
If global universities want to truly engage with India’s talent potential, the focus must shift from recruitment to partnerships. It must move from harvesting talent to cultivating it. The real impact lies in building capacity within India. Universities should partner with Indian institutions to develop in-country programs that emphasize skills, not just academics. Masterclasses, industry-integrated curricula, internships, and virtual learning hubs are the kinds of initiatives that will bridge the gap between education and employability.
It’s ambitious, but it’s not impossible. And I believe we’re at the right moment to make it happen.
Over the years, in my work with institutions and educators around the world, one thing has become clear. Transforming education isn’t just about funding or policy. It’s about mindset. It requires breaking down silos, challenging traditions, and asking uncomfortable questions.
How do we prepare students for jobs that don’t exist yet? How do we make education more equitable and inclusive? How do we ensure that partnerships between countries, universities, and industries prioritize student outcomes over profits? These are the conversations I keep coming back to.
It’s not enough to add a Western coat of paint to an outdated system. We need to create entirely new models of education. These models must leverage technology, connect academia with industry, and emphasize lifelong learning over one-and-done degrees. Every young person in India deserves a fair shot at building a future—not just for themselves, but for the communities and countries they’ll impact.
These are exactly the conversations we’ll be having at Junction91 this weekend in Delhi. When we bring global and Indian educators, policymakers, and industry leaders together, it’s not just about networking. It’s about reimagining what’s possible. India doesn’t just need education reform. It needs an education revolution.
The truth is, India’s rise isn’t inevitable. It’s a choice. A choice to embrace bold ideas, rethink what education can and should be, and invest in a system that prepares students not just to pass exams, but to shape the world.
I’ll leave you with this. For global universities, the question isn’t if you should engage with India. It’s how. The next 20 years will define India’s future in the world. We can either rise to the challenge or let this moment slip away. Think bigger than recruitment. Your role in India isn’t just to recruit. It’s to build.
To Indian policymakers and educators: Be bold. The world doesn’t need more graduates. It needs more problem-solvers.
For all of us working in this space, the responsibility couldn’t be clearer. We must ensure that India’s youth aren’t just ready for the future—they’re leading it.
Ex Cogitatione, Progressus.
Girish