Even as assorted government schemes are a national skill mission are aiming to make India’s workforce more employable, the latest TeamLease EdTech survey has revealed that barely 2% of the higher education institutions (HEIs) in the country are offering degrees that are work-linked.
Experts said that the mismatch between the higher education system and industry needs is the result of time lag in upgrading the curriculum, weak industry connect, overall shortage of faculty in universities, and old methods of teaching.
To be sure, the work-linked programmes are in high demand. For instance, the survey shows that 93% of the students are aware of the work-linked degrees, with 85% of them endorsing such degrees as the future of higher education.
“The educational institutions have always been slow in adapting to the industry needs. Barring a handful of institutions, a vast majority of Indian universities fails to give exposure to the actual business environment, and deprives students of valuable real-world skills,” said a leading education consultant.
Shantanu Rooj, founder and CEO of TeamLease EdTech said that the overwhelming student interest in work-linked degrees presents an opportunity for HEIs to reimagine their offerings. “The low adoption rate by institutions is a significant challenge. Work-linked programmes are a transformative model that empowers students with industry-relevant skills while creating a credible pipeline of job-ready talent. The universities must embrace this change to ensure their graduates are future-ready,” he said.
In November, Times Higher Education’s global employability university ranking 2025 showed that just three premier institutes from India (IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, Indian Institute of Science) feature in the top 100 rankings.
Conducted with over 10,000 students across a diverse age group of 17 to 24 years, the survey said that the students are prioritising practical exposure and employability. For instance, 80% of students believe that work experience on their CV improves their chances of securing high-paying jobs while 40% identify financial independence as a key driver behind their preference for work-linked degrees. “These findings reveal a need for HEIs to adopt more flexible, skill-oriented programmes that align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and emerging student aspirations,” the survey said.
The survey further delved into the factors influencing student decisions with family and mentors having a major impact. For instance, over 50% of respondents cited their parents as key advisors and 34% relied on mentors.
“The future of education is about creating a learning ecosystem that bridges academic theory with real-world industry skills. Work-linked degrees represent more than a trend. They need to be considered as a strategic response to the rapidly evolving job market, where adaptability and practical expertise are becoming as crucial as traditional academic credentials,” said Jaideep Kewalramani, COO and head of employability business at TeamLease Edtech.