In News: Kerala Among Top Indian States in Employability; Kochi Emerges as Tier-2 Talent Hub
Analysis
- State Ranking: Kerala ranks fourth among Indian states in employability according to the India Skills Report 2026, with an employability rate of 72.16%, trailing only Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
- Gender-Inclusive Workforce: Kerala is among the top-10 preferred states for women professionals, highlighting a gender-inclusive labor ecosystem.
- Job Readiness:
- National employability has increased to 56.35%, up from 54.81% last year.
- More than half of India’s graduates scored above 60% in the Global Employability Test (GET).
- Kerala features prominently in both state and city-level rankings, reflecting consistent skill alignment with industry requirements.
- City-Level Performance: Kochi ranks fourth among top-performing cities, ahead of Delhi and Hyderabad, with an average employability score of 76.56%.
- Tier-2 Talent Hubs: Tier-2 cities such as Kochi and Lucknow are emerging as strong talent hubs, helping reduce the urban-rural skill gap.
- Women’s Employability: National women’s employability rose to 54%, surpassing men (51.5%). Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana lead in female participation in BFSI, healthcare, and education sectors.
- Skill Development Programs: Kerala’s Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP) links academic learning with market-ready skills through training modules and internships. Vocational courses in healthcare, logistics, and fintech enhance employability and promote local entrepreneurship.
- Global Capability Centres (GCCs): Tier-2 cities like Kochi are becoming delivery hubs for GCCs, employing over 2 million professionals and contributing $46 billion annually in exports.
Updated - 12 Nov 2025 ; 17:11 IST | News Source:The Hindu