90% of Indian Students Choose Careers Blindly: Career Counselling Crisis in India

 India’s youth face a career counselling crisis as only 10% of students receive professional guidance, according to a United Nations study. This leaves a staggering 90% of students choosing careers based on family suggestions, social pressure, or trends, rather than their own abilities or aspirations.

From government to private schools, the lack of structured counselling results in career decisions made by chance rather than design, contributing to widespread workplace dissatisfaction and low employability.

The Reality of Career Choices in India

A study surveying 21,239 students from Classes 9 to 12 across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka, and Rajasthan shows that access to school does not guarantee clarity in career planning.

Ritika Gupta, CEO & Counsellor at AAera Consultants, explains:
"Without professional guidance, students chase ‘safe’ jobs or trending professions, leaving millions of untapped capabilities unused."

Reports like the India Skills Report and NASSCOM surveys confirm that nearly half of Indian graduates are not employable by industry standards, with engineering graduates faring worse, at just 20–25% job readiness.

Why Career Choices Go Wrong

Many students lack awareness about course costs, future prospects, and available options. Structured career counselling is almost non-existent in government schools and is a luxury even in selective private schools. Students often rely on relatives or family friends whose experiences are outdated, perpetuating the cultural bias toward “safe” professions such as engineering, medicine, and civil services.

Yasir Ali, Director at YAC Edtech, notes:
"When students lack guidance, they choose what is familiar, not what suits their aptitude or personality."

Surprisingly, uncertainty is even higher among private school students, with 41% unsure about course selection, compared to 35% in government schools.

Bridging the Career Counselling Gap

Countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK integrate aptitude tests, career fairs, and formal guidance into education. India, by contrast, leaves career decisions largely to chance or family advice.

Experts advocate leveraging technology and AI-enabled platforms, local-language mobile apps, and online mentorship networks to democratize career guidance across rural and urban areas.

Ritika Gupta emphasizes:
"Career guidance must be integrated into daily school lessons, alongside mathematics and science, to unlock India’s demographic dividend."

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 encourages vocational and multidisciplinary education, but practical implementation—aptitude mapping, mentorship, and industry-linked internships—is critical.

The Urgency

With only 1 in 10 students equipped to make informed career choices, India risks turning its massive youth population into a demographic liability rather than a dividend. Career counselling is no longer optional; it is essential for shaping a skilled, motivated workforce and reducing future workplace dissatisfaction.

The question is not whether India can afford career counselling—it is whether India can afford not to provide it.