Only 42.6% of Indian Graduates Employable; Lack of Non-Technical Skills a Major Concern: Mercer Report
New Delhi: The employability of Indian graduates has declined to 42.6% in 2024, down from 44.3% in 2023, according to the latest Mercer-Mettl Graduate Skill Index 2025. The report attributes this drop to a lack of non-technical skills, even as employability in technical roles has improved.
Delhi emerged as the most employable state, with 53.4% of graduates deemed job-ready, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Punjab at 51.1% each.
The report, based on data from over one million students across 2,700 campuses in 31 states and union territories, provides a comprehensive analysis of the skill readiness of young professionals in India. Mercer Mettl, an arm of consulting firm Mercer, specializes in talent assessment and skill development.
The findings highlight a pressing need for Indian graduates to focus on soft skills, problem-solving, and creativity, which are increasingly becoming essential for employability in a competitive job market.
