Recent youth-led protests across several Indian cities have brought renewed scrutiny to the country’s education system, exposing deep-rooted issues that leave many students inadequately prepared for higher education and employment. These demonstrations, which culminated last month in the resignation of India’s education minister, highlight significant challenges confronting the administration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his government seeks to capitalize on the country’s sizable youth population.

India’s demographic landscape includes the world’s largest generation of young people aged 15 to 29, numbering around 367 million. This cohort, often referred to as Gen Z, represents a potential economic asset if the country can provide them with quality education and productive employment opportunities. However, many students graduate from school lacking foundational skills in reading, mathematics, and science, despite increased household spending on private tuition and coaching.

Data from recent government assessments reveal that close to half of ninth-grade students struggle to grasp basic texts, with performance declining further in scientific and social science subjects. Rural schools face particularly acute challenges, with about 30% of eighth graders unable to comprehend texts at a second-grade level and approximately half unable to perform simple arithmetic. Infrastructure deficits persist, including a shortage of science labs, functional electricity, and separate toilets for girls in thousands of government schools. Teacher shortages and inadequate training exacerbate the learning environment, especially outside urban areas.

These systemic shortcomings have contributed to growing disparities in educational access and quality. Families with limited financial means find themselves compelled to invest heavily in private tutors—often considered essential for competitive exams and university admissions—with costs sometimes consuming significant portions of household income. Students like Abeer Agarwal, a 19-year-old college attendee in New Delhi, and Lakshmi Diwakar, a 15-year-old high schooler, have described classroom instruction as ineffective, prompting reliance on external coaching to keep pace academically.

The pressure on students extends into higher education, where enrollment rates have increased notably over recent decades, particularly among women. Yet, professional degrees such as medicine and engineering remain costly and inaccessible to many from lower-income families. Even for graduates, the job market offers limited opportunities, with many questioning the value of their qualifications. Some students report that social and economic capital—in the form of private schooling, English proficiency, paid coaching, and familial networks—plays a decisive role in securing desirable jobs, creating perceived barriers for those without such advantages.

The protests were particularly galvanized by an incident involving the cancellation and rescheduling of a medical school entrance exam after a question paper leak, sparking widespread frustration among examinees and their families. In response, Prime Minister Modi’s government has announced the formation of an independent task force to examine reforms for the college entrance examination system. However, broader strategies to address inequalities and deficiencies within India’s education framework remain undecided.

Experts emphasize the urgency of addressing these systemic issues, noting that India’s demographic advantage could diminish as population growth slows toward 2030. Efforts to improve equitable access to quality education and create gainful employment are seen as critical to harnessing the economic potential of the nation’s youth. Without substantial reform, the dissatisfaction exhibited by Gen Z may persist, mirroring longstanding frustrations with a system many view as out of step with India’s aspirations and realities.