In 2025, India’s top graduates are facing a growing employment crisis.
Engineering and MBA students, once considered high-value talent pools, are struggling to find jobs. Multiple reports reveal shocking statistics—83% of engineering graduates and 50% of MBA graduates are currently unplaced.
This alarming trend is backed by recent data from Unstop’s 2025 Career Report, Fortune India, Business Today, and Trak.in. Let’s understand why India’s brightest minds are struggling to secure job offers even after years of rigorous education.
India’s Talent Pool: Underutilised and Underpaid
Key Statistics (2025) of Degrees Without Jobs
| Qualification | Percentage Without Job/Internship Offers |
| Engineering Graduates | 83% |
| MBA Graduates | 50% |
| Other Postgraduates | 46% |
| Fresh Graduates Overall | 56% |
Check out – IIM Placement | Best MBA Placement Colleges in India
Source: Unstop Career Report 2025 via Business Today
The numbers above are not just numbers. They reflect the ground reality of India’s education-to-employment ecosystem.
Engineering Students: 4 Years of Study, 0 Job Offers
Engineering education in India is vast. Over 1 million students graduate each year. Yet more than 8 out of 10 engineers remain unplaced in 2025.
Why Engineering Students Are Struggling
- Curriculum and Industry Gap: Most engineering colleges fail to update their syllabus.
- Low Practical Exposure: Lack of real-world training limits employability.
- AI Disruption: Automation has reduced entry-level hiring in tech.
- Mass Supply, Low Demand: There are too many engineers and too few quality jobs.
“Employers now seek skills, not degrees,” notes the Unstop report.
MBA Graduates: Half Are Still Waiting for Their First Job
India’s B-Schools continue to produce a large number of MBA graduates every year. But 50% of them are still unplaced, with no job or internship offer even months after graduation.
Reasons Behind the MBA Job Crisis
- Too Many B-Schools: Over 3,000 MBA colleges operate in India. Not all maintain quality.
- Outdated Curriculum: Many colleges still teach outdated management theories.
- Lack of Industry Projects: Minimal industry exposure leads to poor placement rates.
- Economic Uncertainty: Companies are reducing hiring budgets due to global slowdowns.
According to Fortune India, “There’s a visible mismatch between MBA education and the job market.”
Also Check out – Top 50 MBA Colleges in India | Top MBA Colleges in Jaipur
Skill vs Degree: What Recruiters Actually Want
Companies no longer hire just for degrees. They want job-ready talent.
In the same Unstop survey, recruiters said:
- Skill set > Degree
- Internship experience = Bonus
- Communication + Tech tools proficiency = Must-have
Unfortunately, most engineering and MBA students are not trained in these skills during college.
Tier-2 and Tier-3 Colleges: The Worst Hit
Students from top-tier IITs or IIMs still manage to secure jobs. But those from lesser-known institutes are hit the hardest.
Placement vs Fees (Selected Colleges)
| College Name | Avg MBA Fee (INR) | Avg Placement (INR) |
| IIM Calcutta | ₹27 Lakhs | ₹35 LPA |
| IIM Ranchi | ₹17 Lakhs | ₹17.3 LPA |
| Amity Business School, Noida | ₹13 Lakhs | ₹5.2 LPA |
| GIBS Business School, Bangalore | ₹8.15 Lakhs | ₹7.4 LPA |
| Sinhgad Institute of Management, Pune | ₹4 Lakhs | ₹3.5 LPA |
Despite high tuition fees, many students don’t get placed. This leads to student debt without ROI.
Students Speak Out: “We’re Lost After Graduation”
In interviews with Trak.in, students say:
- “Our college promised 100% placement. We didn’t even get one interview.”
- “We paid ₹10 lakhs for our MBA. We’re now working in call centers.”
- “There was no guidance, no internships, no campus support.”
These voices reflect the frustration of thousands who feel misled by colleges.
The Bigger Picture: Systemic Changes Needed
This isn’t just a placement issue. It’s a systemic crisis.
What Needs to Change:
- Revamp Curriculum: Focus on tech tools, communication, and business skills.
- Mandatory Internships: Each student must have hands-on experience before graduating.
- Industry Collaboration: Colleges should align with companies to co-design coursework.
- Skill-Based Hiring Models: Recruiters should hire based on skills, not just degrees.
Final Thoughts: Degrees Without Jobs
- 83% of engineers are unplaced.
- 50% of MBAs are without jobs.
- Over 56% of all fresh graduates have no offer in hand.
This isn’t a student failure—it’s a failure of the system. In 2025, a degree alone is not enough.
The focus must shift to skills, practical exposure, and industry relevance. Until that happens, India’s brightest minds will continue to graduate into unemployment. Degrees are being printed faster than jobs are created. And unless education meets execution, ambition will keep losing to reality.
References – https://unstop.com/talent-report-2025
