That’s not just a number. It’s a system failing its future. A new NITI Aayog report reveals only 8.25% of graduates end up in jobs matching their degrees. Even under flagship schemes like PMKVY, only 41% of trained candidates got placements. The report’s big idea? Stop paying for enrollment; pay for results. Link funding to real job placements, wage gains, and retention. Imagine schools from Grade 6 teaching employability, and Grade 9 offering real vocational tracks. And here’s the silent crisis: 71% of Indian women are either in informal work or NEET. This isn’t just about training; it’s about redesigning education, finance, and opportunity. The goal? Viksit Bharat by 2047. But without fixing this, ambition stays on paper.