EThames making the talent world class: Kali Prasad Gadiraju, Chairman, EThames Business School

As India advances toward its ambitious $5 trillion economic goal, it faces a silent crisis with loud consequences: nearly 48% of its graduates are unemployable. According to the India Skills Report, over 90 lakh students graduate every year, yet a large portion fail to meet the requirements of modern employers.

This isn't just an economic bottleneck—it’s a national emergency, says Kali Prasad Gadiraju, Chairman of Hyderabad-based EThames Business School and former EY Partner with four decades of global consulting experience.

“AI is replacing jobs. But are our graduates even ready for the jobs that do exist?” he asks.

The Grim Reality Behind the Numbers

India produces about one crore graduates annually. Of these, 15 lakh come from engineering and medical fields. Another 15 lakh pursue higher education. About 10 lakh secure roles in MNCs and large corporates. But what about the remaining 60 lakh? Many of them are either underemployed or earning less than ₹15,000 a month.

“That is the real challenge,” says Mr. Gadiraju. “We are producing degrees, not job-ready professionals.”

In his interaction with media in Hyderabad, he emphasized that the crisis isn’t just about education—it’s about relevance. “The era of degree-based hiring is over. Skill-based hiring is the new norm,” he declared.

A Demographic Dividend or a Social Liability?

India is one of the youngest nations globally, with over 65% of its population under 35. While this offers a demographic advantage, it also comes with a caveat. If young Indians are not equipped with relevant skills, this dividend could quickly become a social liability. Underemployment, frustration, and lost productivity could stall the nation’s progress.

“Employability is the new literacy. The ability to contribute meaningfully in the workplace is as fundamental today as reading and writing,” Gadiraju noted.

The Breakdown: Who is Failing Whom?

Graduates today are struggling to clear basic aptitude, reasoning, or English proficiency tests. Companies are spending 3 to 6 months retraining new hires, while students and parents, after investing years and lakhs of rupees, are often left disillusioned.

Lessons from Global Leaders

Countries like Germany and South Korea offer templates for reform. Their dual-education models merge classroom theory with hands-on apprenticeships. Vietnam, now a burgeoning tech hub, has directly aligned its educational outputs with industry demand. India must not only take note—but take action.

EThames Business School: Building the Model of the Future

EThames is actively working to bridge the employability gap through a multi-pronged approach:

• Introducing an industry-integrated curriculum co-developed with corporate leaders

• Implementing mandatory internships starting from Year 1

• Hosting weekly masterclasses with CEOs and startup founders

• Launching AI-readiness programs and international certification tracks

The institution has also pioneered short-term programs (1.5–2 months) that transform underemployed graduates into job-ready professionals with improved earning potential.

Its unique BPL Meritorious Training Model provides free, employer-funded training for high-potential, low-income B.Com (English medium) students in sector-specific roles such as hospitality, IT, and anti-financial crime (AML & KYC) training for the BFSI sector.

The EThames Vision

“Every student has the potential of an Elon Musk or Dhirubhai Ambani,” says Gadiraju. “It’s the job of the education system to nurture that.”

Through strategic partnerships with reputed institutions, EThames ensures global standards in teaching methodology. The results speak for themselves—over 85% of its students secure placements, even those with average academic scores.

Policy Reforms: What India Must Do Next

Gadiraju outlines five urgent steps to address the crisis:

1. Move from UGC-heavy compliance to outcome-based learning.

2. Incentivize colleges focused on skill delivery, not just infrastructure.

3. Make internships mandatory and credit-bearing.

4. Launch a National Employability Audit across all higher education institutions.

5. Offer tax benefits to companies investing in student upskilling.

   
   

The Time to Act Is Now

India cannot afford complacency. Every unemployable graduate represents a lost opportunity—not just for themselves, but for the nation.

“Employability is the new literacy. And India must act like it,” concludes Mr. Gadiraju.