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New Delhi, India – A recent report has unveiled a concerning trend in India’s graduate employment landscape, with a significant portion of engineering and business school graduates struggling to secure jobs or internships. The Unstop Talent Report 2025, published by the community engagement and hiring platform Unstop, indicates that approximately 83 percent of engineering graduates and 46 percent of business graduates are without job or internship offers.
The report, based on responses from 30,000 Gen Z professionals and 700 HR heads, highlights a growing disconnect between the expectations of these graduates and the realities of the job market. This discrepancy has led to a surge in young professionals seeking alternative income streams, with 51 percent exploring side hustles and freelancing opportunities. This trend is particularly prevalent among business graduates.
Further findings reveal a rise in unpaid internships, with one in four candidates completing such roles in 2025, up from one in eight in 2023. This suggests a willingness among candidates to gain industry experience, even without monetary compensation.
The report also exposes significant gender-based pay gaps within arts and science streams, where two out of three female graduates earn annual packages below Rs 6 lakh, while their male counterparts often surpass this figure. Notably, this disparity is not observed among business and engineering graduates, who receive more equitable compensation.
In a notable shift in hiring practices, 73 percent of recruiters are now prioritizing talent and skills over the prestige of elite college degrees. This move towards skill-based hiring reflects the evolving demands of the workforce, with companies increasingly seeking candidates with practical abilities.
Employee preferences are also evolving, with 77 percent of Gen Z professionals favoring monthly or project-based reviews over traditional annual evaluations. Additionally, 70 percent of Gen Z candidates engage in novel hiring processes such as case studies, idea-thons, and simulations. However, a mismatch exists, as only 25 percent of HR heads consider these practices essential.
The report concludes that the gap between Gen Z expectations and the job market realities contributes to the difficulties many graduates face in securing their first jobs, despite the high demand for skilled professionals across industries.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is based on the Unstop Talent Report 2025 and should be considered as a reflection of the report’s findings. Individual experiences and outcomes may vary. This news article is for informational purposes and does not constitute professional advice.(https://www.edexlive.com/news/2025/Mar/22/indias-top-graduates-unemployed-83-engineers-46-business-grads-left-without-offers)
