EMPLOYABILITY AND SKILL MISMATCH AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION GRADUATES IN HARYANA

The expansion of higher education in India, particularly in states like Haryana, has raised expectations about improved employment outcomes and economic growth. Haryana, a rapidly industrializing state with prominent hubs such as Gurugram, Faridabad, and Manesar, has witnessed substantial growth in higher education institutions over the past two decades. However, despite rising enrolment rates and diversified academic offerings, the employability of graduates remains a pressing concern. A persistent skill mismatch between what higher education institutions deliver and what industries demand has resulted in growing graduate unemployment, underemployment, and workforce inefficiencies. This paper examines employability and skill mismatch among higher education graduates in Haryana by integrating secondary data from state-level statistical abstracts. It further considers discipline-wise employability patterns, rural–urban and gender disparities, and the structural weaknesses of the current higher education system. Preliminary findings indicate that while Haryana’s urban-industrial districts demonstrate higher levels of graduate absorption, many graduates are employed in jobs that do not require higher qualifications, reflecting over-education. Simultaneously, graduates often lack soft skills, digital competencies, and industry-oriented expertise, pointing to under-skilling. Rural and female graduates face an additional disadvantage in securing employment due to infrastructural gaps, socio-cultural barriers, and weak industry-academia linkages. The paper argues that bridging the employability gap requires policy reforms directed towards curriculum restructuring, skill-based learning integration, and stronger collaboration between academia and industry. It concludes that enhancing employability is not only critical for improving individual career outcomes but also for sustaining Haryana’s economic growth trajectory in a competitive global environment