India was expected to surpass the population of China in 2023. While the official data is not available because of delayed census, India is on the path to become the most populous country in near future. At the same time, the country is also the youngest in the world with the majority of its population falling in the working age group. This means that if India is able to leverage this demographic dividend, it can grow rapidly to advance towards becoming a developed economy. While it may seem like a pipe dream, the right kind of interventions can help in growing India’s economy and putting the country on the path of rapid development.
However, this opportunity also comes with a huge challenge. With this growing population and availability of a large workforce, India needs to create ample jobs as well. In absence of employment opportunities, this workforce will not be able to reap the benefits of youth. In turn, the country will also lose out on this untapped productivity. Therefore, what India needs today is sustained focus on creating new jobs to match the workforce availability in the market. While skilling of the people is crucial, it is also necessary to ensure that these skilled people have the right employment opportunities available to them.
In this article, we will look at the various fields in which India has the potential to generate employment opportunities for its population. Let’s dive deeper into this-
Information Technology and Digital Services
One of the fields in which India has the true potential to become a global leader and superpower is Information Technology and Digital Services. The country has been at the forefront of the digital revolution in the last two decades. India’s payment technology service UPI is appreciated and adopted by several countries around the world. Not just that, the country has been providing IT services to some of the biggest global conglomerates. Companies like Infosys have proven that India’s IT potential is huge.
With the rise of big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is a growing demand for skilled professionals in software development and data analysis. India can leverage employment opportunities by investing more into skilling the people in these areas. As businesses increasingly move online, the need for digital marketing experts and cybersecurity professionals has surged. This demand can also be fulfilled by Indian professionals who have already proven their mettle in this field. One of the biggest examples is Bengaluru considered the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ because of the potential displayed over the years.
Agriculture and Agribusiness
The second biggest potential India has is its agriculture sector. Even today, agriculture is the backbone of the Indian economy with the majority of its population engaged in it. There is a huge potential that can be unlocked through modernisation. By diversifying the crops grown and investing heavily in technology, the agricultural sector in India can create jobs for youth in rural parts of the country while also making the country an exporter of fruits, vegetables and other food crops.
Implementing technology in farming practices can increase productivity and create jobs in areas such as precision farming, drone technology and smart irrigation systems. Developing the agribusiness sector, including food processing and packaging, can add value to agricultural products and generate employment. And this is not something that is alien to India as the country has already seen the Green Revolution of the 1960s where Punjab’s agricultural landscape transformed. It not only benefited the state but also the whole country by making it self-sufficient in growing food grains for its rising population. Similar ideas and innovations can be applied to agricultural sector today to bring a new type of revolution.
Renewable Energy
After IT and agriculture, the third area where India can rapidly become a leader is the renewable energy sector. The country enjoys a highly diverse geographical landscape, including deserts, mountains, rivers and sea. India can leverage this opportunity to invest heavily into generation of renewable energy. Beyond fulfiling its own demand, in near future, it can export electricity to countries still dependent on fossil fuel. Expanding solar and wind energy projects can generate jobs in manufacturing, installation and maintenance. Developing bioenergy and waste-to-energy projects can create jobs in rural areas and contribute to environmental sustainability.
The biggest example of how this can be made possible is the initiative in Gujarat by creating the Charanka Solar Park which not only helped in creating electricity through renewable sources but also created thousands of jobs. Other states can take similar initiatives in near future.
Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals
When the pandemic put the entire world into uncertainty, India became one of the countries that provided hope for everyone. India played a key role in developing a vaccine and then exporting it to several countries across the globe. Not just that, the country was able to quickly manufacture hazmat suits and other equipment to fulfil its local demand. The initiatives like vocal for locals also added fuel to this innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the healthcare industry.
Even before Covid-19, people from neighbouring countries and African continent countries travel here to get good medical treatment and facilities. India can continue moving in this direction. Building hospitals, clinics and healthcare centers can create jobs for medical professionals, technicians and support staff. India’s pharmaceutical industry is a global leader, and expanding this sector can create jobs in research, manufacturing and distribution.
Examples of this potential is Hyderabad’s pharma hub and Himachal Pradesh’s Baddi where there are several pharmaceuticals manufacturing facilities. The country has a huge potential to capitalise in this field and create lakhs of jobs.
Tourism and Hospitality
Today, the world celebrates International Yoga Day and celebrates the rich history of India. For decades, India has been a destination for those seeking spiritual wisdom and immersing themselves in the rich culture of the country. India is a popular destination among Israeli tourists who flock to several places in the country for prolonged vacation. Rishikesh is known as the Yoga capital of the world where tourists from across the world visit to learn about this ancient practice.
As mentioned above, India has a diverse landscape and culture, and the country can continue to capitalise on this by creating facilities for international tourists to visit. By creating the right infrastructure, ensuring security and developing new tourist hubs, India can become a world tourist destination. One of the latest examples is the push to make Lakshadweep an alternative for those travelling to Maldives. From islands to mountains, India has a lot to offer to the tourists . If this industry grows in the right direction, it can create lakhs of new jobs. Promoting eco-tourism and heritage tourism can create jobs in hospitality, tour guiding and local crafts.
Conclusion
India’s potential to generate employment opportunities spans various sectors, each offering unique advantages and challenges. By investing in skill development, modernising traditional sectors and promoting innovation, India can create a robust job market that supports its growing population. Policymakers must focus on creating an enabling environment for the benefits of employment generation to reach all sections of society.
Smile Foundation’s STEP (Smile Twin e-Learning Programme) initiative is a critical intervention in addressing India’s employment challenges. As the country navigates its demographic dividend, ensuring that the youth has access to meaningful job opportunities is crucial. STEP focuses on equipping young individuals with the necessary skills and training to thrive in today’s competitive job market. By bridging the gap between education and employment, STEP empowers the next generation. All to ensure that they contribute effectively to India’s economic growth and development.