ABSTRACT
India’s favorable demographics offer a one-time opportunity to propel growth and effectively combat poverty. While its economy has created millions of new jobs post-liberalisation, the scale is not commensurate with the rapid economic growth achieved or with the number of new entrants to the workforce. The conundrum of youth and employment in the Indian context has assumed overwhelming proportions, requiring urgent solutions. The national security dimension arises primarily in the economic space, given that the country must not fall into the trap of ‘growing old before growing rich’. Creating the right numbers of jobs for the youth is a challenge of far-reaching ramifications for future prosperity, stability, and peace of the country.
