India's Youth Face Career Guidance Gap: UNICEF Report

A new UNICEF report highlights the disparities in career guidance access among Indian students. Less than 10% utilize career services, with boys having better access than girls. The report, based on a survey of nearly 5,000 students, underscores family and teachers as key influencers in career decisions.

A recent UNICEF report has highlighted a significant gap in career guidance services for Indian students, revealing that less than 10 per cent of students are aware of or use such services. Boys tend to have better access to career-related information compared to girls, especially as they progress in higher education.

The Bharat Career Aspiration Report 2024 (BCAR), examines career awareness and accessibility to professional career counselling among secondary and higher secondary students from low-income families. Released on Thursday, the report is based on a survey conducted over five months, from August to December 2023, involving 4,968 students from 25 states.

The findings indicate that only 9.36 per cent of respondents had received career guidance services prior to the study. The most influential figures in career decisions were family members and school teachers. Despite the general lack of awareness, a majority of students expressed a preference for professional careers, with government and defence services being the top choices for both genders.

(With inputs from agencies.)