Content:
- In India, education without employment
- Ecology is the world’s permanent economy
In India, education without employment
Core Argument
- Mismatch between education and employability: India’s educational system is disconnected from the job market; graduates struggle to find meaningful employment.
- NEP 2020 fails in implementation and impact: Despite claims of educational renaissance, NEP has seen little execution and failed to improve employability outcomes.
Relevance : GS 2( Education )
Practice Question : Despite progressive educational reforms like the National Education Policy 2020, India continues to face a crisis of educated unemployment. Critically analyse the disconnect between education and employability in India. Suggest reforms to make education more market-relevant and outcome-oriented.(250 Words)
Critique of Government Initiatives
- Present government praises reforms like Atal Tinkering Labs and many other empowering programmes, but fails to address employability gaps.
- NEP 2020 is the fourth major reform after Radhakrishnan (1948), Kothari (1966), and Officers’ Commission (1985), but lacks operational methodology.
Unemployment Among Educated Youth
- Graduate employability rate stagnates (~42.6% in 2025 vs 44.3% in 2023).
- Knowledge-intensive employment is low (11.72% in 2023).
- NEP’s multiple entry-exit options have produced low-quality, low-paid jobs (e.g., e-commerce delivery).
Structural Deficiencies
- Indian education system lacks synergy of depth (skills) and breadth (adaptability) in curriculum—essential for an AI-driven market.
- Industry missing in policy formulation: No industry representation in NEP drafting committee.
Hollow Metrics & Rankings
- Government projects QS Rankings progress (11 Indian universities in top 500), but:
- India’s CNCI rank: 16th out of 19 in G-20 (2024).
- Improvement figures misleading, with low-quality publications and citation impact.
Research and Innovation Concerns
- Publicly funded research projects like Akash Tablet, IMPRINT, NMITLI lacked transparency and outcomes.
- Global Innovation Index (GII): India at 39th rank (2024), behind Malaysia (33) and Türkiye (37).
- Bengaluru’s global cluster rank (56) compared to Silicon Valley’s (6) shows limited innovation output.
Misconception About Start-ups
- Government glorifies app-based delivery startups, unlike deep-tech innovations in China, U.S., and Israel.
- Without indigenous science and quality education, indigenous technology/startups can’t emerge.
Institutional Ineffectiveness
- UGC remains archaic: Exerts both regulatory and financial control without proving pedagogical impact.
- Suggestion: Abolish UGC; its leaders should implement policy rather than promote propaganda.
Conclusion
- India’s education system is divorced from market realities and suffers from poor implementation, institutional lethargy, and political overreach.
- The author calls for indigenous quality education free from political agendas, rooted in science, innovation, and accountability.
Notable Quote
“When stupidity is considered patriotism, it is unsafe to be intelligent.” – Isaac Asimov
Ecology is the world’s permanent economy
Core Premise:
- The phrase “Ecology is the permanent economy”, popularised by Sunderlal Bahuguna, underscores that human prosperity is rooted in ecological health.
- The article argues for a paradigm shift from ecological exploitation to ecological stewardship.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology
Practice Question : “Ecology is the world’s permanent economy.” In the context of the current climate and biodiversity crises, critically analyse this statement. Also, suggest how India can integrate ecological sustainability into its development strategy.(250 Words)
Understanding the Central Message
- Ecology = Real Economy: Economic growth is unsustainable if divorced from ecological stability.
- Balance is Key: Long-term human survival depends on a balance between environmental conservation and economic development.
Human Disconnect from Nature
- Historical progression:
- Nomadic phase: Humans used resources for basic survival.
- Civilisational phase: Collective exploitation began.
- Modern nation-states: Grew into global competition for resources.
- Uniqueness of human consumption: No other species stockpiles or anticipates future exploitation on this scale.
- Result: Biodiversity loss and climate change acceleration.
The Paradox of Modern Conservation
- Nature-based solutions (NbS): Widely endorsed but paradoxical — we exploit ecosystems while relying on them to buffer climate impacts.
- Double dependency: Leads to greater ecological imbalance, making the crisis harder to reverse.
Reframing the Crisis
- The climate crisis is not just scientific, but also moral and existential.
- Need to move from reactive conservation to proactive sustainability.
- Recognising ecology as the bedrock of economy shifts policy from short-term gains to long-term survival.
Path Forward: Reconnection with Nature
- Climate change and biodiversity shifts are not new — the rate of change is.
- The real solution lies in:
- Lifestyle changes.
- Emotional reconnection with nature.
- Recognising humans as part of nature, not separate from it.
- Future policies and education must ignite emotional and ethical bonds with nature, not just intellectual understanding.
Implications for Policy and Governance
- Environmental concerns should not be seen as barriers to development, but foundations for long-term economic security.
- Emphasis on:
- Eco-centric development models.
- Inclusive policies that value ecological capital.
- Integration of ecology in national accounting systems (Natural Capital Accounting).
Conclusion:
- Ecological health is not a constraint but a prerequisite for economic and social well-being.
- Recognising “ecology as the permanent economy” is not just philosophical but strategic for global sustainability.
