Prime Highlights
- V. Anantha Nageswaran said young people should focus on skills that technology and artificial intelligence cannot easily replace, including trade and service-based professions.
- The CEA stressed that good physical and mental health are essential for improving employability, productivity and long-term economic growth.
Key Facts
- V. Anantha Nageswaran is India’s Chief Economic Adviser and provides economic policy advice to the government.
- The National Family Health Survey has shown a rise in obesity across income groups, a trend the CEA linked to declining health and workforce productivity.
Background
India’s Chief Economic Adviser V. Anantha Nageswaran has urged young people to rethink traditional career choices, saying that academic degrees alone may not ensure long-term employment in a rapidly changing economy.
Speaking on a podcast recently, Nageswaran said many students continue to follow a conventional path of completing graduation and then pursuing higher studies or competitive examinations without assessing whether those qualifications will lead to stable jobs. He stressed the need to align education with evolving market demands.
The CEA said India has historically given less importance to vocational professions such as welding, plumbing, carpentry and electrical work. He noted that countries including Switzerland, Germany, Japan, South Korea and China place greater value on skilled trades and vocational training.
According to Nageswaran, the period when software, computer science and MBA degrees enjoyed a major advantage due to globalisation is gradually changing. He said future opportunities will increasingly emerge in trade-based professions, soft-skill-driven roles and occupations that depend on human judgement, creativity and personal interaction.
He highlighted the example of a young chef who felt discouraged after comparing his career progress with that of others on social media. Nageswaran said skilled professions such as cooking are difficult for artificial intelligence to replace and are likely to remain relevant in the future. He added that fields such as counselling, caregiving and hospitality could see growing demand.
The adviser also linked employability to personal well-being. Referring to findings from the National Family Health Survey, he said obesity is rising across income groups despite improvements in several health indicators. He warned that inactive lifestyles and unhealthy habits could affect productivity and income growth.
Nageswaran emphasised that economic progress depends on a healthy workforce and encouraged young Indians to invest in both practical skills and physical well-being.
