Unemployment stands as a formidable socio-economic challenge across India, and its impact is particularly acute on the educated youth of Nagaland. This northeast state, despite boasting a relatively high literacy rate, struggles with a severe lack of employment opportunities for its growing educated population. The consequences of this scarcity extend far beyond mere financial hardship, causing a long shadow on the aspirations, mental well-being, and the overall progress of the Naga society.
Latest data gives a concerning picture. As of September 2024, the unemployment rate among educated individuals in Nagaland has alarmingly surged to 13.4%, a significant jump from 8.9% in the previous year. This places Nagaland as having the second-highest educated unemployment rate among all states in India, only surpassed by Arunachal Pradesh. This stark reality underscores the widening gap between the numbers of qualified graduates and the availability of suitable jobs within the state. With over 92,000 registered unemployed youth and likely many more unregistered, the sheer scale of the problem is evident.
Several factors contribute to this alarming situation. Nagaland’s economy is primarily agrarian, with limited industrial and service sector growth to absorb the increasing number of educated job seekers. The preference for government jobs, deeply rooted in the social and economic fabric of the state, increases the issue as the number of public sector vacancies falls far short of the demand. Moreover, there is an increased lack of practical expertise and hands- on learning among graduates, hindering their employability in the modern job market. Some observers also suggest that a reluctance among some educated youth to take up “low-profile” jobs contributes to a scenario where migrant labourers often fill available positions. The lack of adequate infrastructure and a challenging political culture further discourage the establishment of new businesses and industries that could generate employment.
The impact of this widespread unemployment on the Naga educated youth is multifaceted and deeply damaging. Firstly, it leads to significant economic distress. Young graduates, having invested time and resources in their education, find themselves unable to secure gainful employment, leading to financial dependence on their families and a sense of frustration and inadequacy. This lack of economic independence delays their personal milestones, such as starting families or contributing meaningfully to the household income.
Beyond the economic repercussions, unemployment takes a heavy toll on the mental and emotional well-being of the youth. The constant struggle to find suitable work, couples with social pressures and the feeling of being unproductive, can led to feelings of hopelessness, stress, anxiety, and even depression. Studies conducted in Nagaland reveal that a significant proportion of unemployed youth experience moderate to languishing levels of mental health, highlighting the psychological burden of joblessness. The high sense of competition for jobs further intensifies these negative emotions.
The occurrence of “brain drain” is another significant consequence. Faced with limited opportunities within Nagaland, many educated youths are compelled to migrate to other states in search of employment leaving their families behind. This not only deprives Nagaland of its skilled human capital but also disrupts families and communities. The state loses out on the potential contribution of its brightest minds to its own development.
There is a blackhole known as the “back door Appointment “leading no justices to the educated youths of Nagaland this has played a major role in increasing the problem of unemployed youth in Nagaland. The word nepotism plays a big role in Nagaland employment system, appointing and promoting the least qualified individuals so strategically that, it’s almost impossible for the deserving candidate to even try for the post. promoting such individuals as a liability within the upper ranks of the state administration is what’s causing the downfall of the naga youths.
This calls for a desperate holistic measure to bring back and strengthen the state economy through the involvement of educated and qualified youths. Unemployment among the educated youth in Nagaland is a critical issue with far-reaching consequences, the recent surge in unemployment rate increases the urge for comprehensive and multi-pronged strategies to create more employment opportunities within the state