23 August 2026

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NITI Aayog Report NEET Youth

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Why in news

  • NITI Aayog published 'Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047' highlighting youth employment challenges.
  • The report estimates 8.7 crore Indian youth are not in education, employment, or training.

What is the NEET Metric?

  • NEET stands for youth Not in Education, Employment, or Training, covering individuals aged 15–29 years.
  • Estimates in the report rely on sample data from the 78th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS).

Key Recommendations

  • Categorises the workforce into five segments: schooling, tertiary education, formal/informal work, NEET youth, and women.
  • Calls for affordable and heavily subsidised skilling programs to overcome financial constraints and prior education sunk costs.
  • Recommends aligning training modules directly with local demand drivers and emerging economic sectors.

Why it Matters

  • Demographic Dividend: Unproductive youth capital undermines India's potential demographic advantage.
  • Policy Focus: Highlights structural gaps between educational output and market-aligned skill requirements.

Key terms

NEET Youth

Individuals aged 15–29 who are currently unemployed and not enrolled in formal education or vocational training.

Prelims facts

  • NITI Aayog's definition of NEET covers youth aged 15–29 who are unemployed and outside education or training systems.

Mains discussion

  • Analyse structural barriers preventing NEET youth from transitioning into formal employment despite expanding vocational programs.

Source: Business Standard

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

  1. 2019 · Q69 · General Studies · 2 marks

    In India, which of the following review the independent regulators in sectors like telecommunications, insurance, electricity, etc.? 1. Ad Hoc Committees set up by the Parliament 2. Parliamentary Department Related Standing Committees 3. Finance Commission 4. Financial Sector Legislative Reforms Commission 5. NITI Aayog Select the correct answer using the code given below

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  2. 2018 · Q11 · GS III · 15 marks

    How are the principles followed by NITI Aayog different from those followed by the erstwhile planning commission in India?(250 Words, 15 Marks).

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  3. 2017 · Q55 · General Studies · 2 marks

    With reference to 'National Investment and Infrastructure Fund', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog. 2. It has a corpus of Rs. 4,00,000 crore at present. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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  4. 2016 · Q56 · General Studies · 2 marks

    With reference to 'Financial Stability and Development Council', consider the following statements: 1. It is an organ of NITI Aayog. 2. It is headed by the Union Finance Minister. 3. It monitors macroprudential supervision of the economy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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  5. 2015 · Q42 · General Studies · 2 marks

    The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the

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← All Prelims + Mains notes for 23 August 2026

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