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@article{199105,
        author = {Ratna Pandey and Shashank Shekhar Pandey},
        title = {Employability in Indian Education under NEP 2020 in the Age of Artificial Intelligence},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {12442-12450},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=199105},
        abstract = {The question of graduate employability has emerged as a defining concern within contemporary Indian education, particularly in the context of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and the rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within global labour markets. This paper examines whether current educational reforms are effectively transforming India’s traditionally degree-oriented system into one that prioritizes skill development and employment readiness. Drawing upon theoretical perspectives on employability, including relational and competency-based approaches, the study situates NEP 2020 within broader debates on educational transformation and workforce preparedness. The analysis combines policy evaluation with evidence from institutional reports, labour-market statistics, and studies on curriculum practices to explore the persistent gap between policy vision and ground-level implementation. Findings suggest that while NEP 2020 articulates an ambitious framework emphasizing multidisciplinary learning, vocational integration, and flexibility, structural challenges such as examination-driven pedagogy, industry–academia disconnects, infrastructural inequalities, and limited faculty readiness continue to restrict meaningful change. The paper argues that employability in an AI-driven economy must be understood as an evolving process involving adaptability, identity formation, and institutional ecosystems rather than merely the acquisition of technical skills. Ultimately, the study concludes that the success of education reform in India will depend less on policy intent and more on sustained institutional transformation capable of aligning educational practices with the demands of an AI-augmented future.},
        keywords = {},
        month = {April},
        }