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At a time when Indian students are worried about dwindling job opportunities, rapid AI disruption and the promise of overseas education, entrepreneur and teacher Gaurav Bhagat has a clear message: Look within before looking abroad.
Speaking on the sidelines of Rule 2026, an annual strategy workshop attended by entrepreneurs and professionals, Bhagat argued that India today offers deeper and more sustainable opportunities for youth than ever before – provided they rethink how they prepare for work.
Bhagat, who works closely with students, professionals and businesses, believes India’s rising unemployment problem is not due to lack of degrees, but due to lack of real-world preparation.
“On paper, the candidates are qualified. But when it comes to actual implementation, many struggle,” he said. “There is a serious gap between what is taught and what the workplace demands.”
AI will reshape entry-level jobs
According to Bhagat, artificial intelligence will increasingly replace traditional entry-level roles that rely on routine or clerical work.
He cautioned students not to rely on outdated job expectations, saying, “AI tools today can summarize documents, analyze data, and even create content faster and better than humans. This disruption is already happening.”
Still, he is critical of how some schools and colleges are responding. Discouraging students from using AI tools is counterproductive, he said.
“This is the wrong signal. You don’t want blind dependency, but closing the door on AI is like closing your eyes to the future,” Bhagat said.
He believes that students should start learning how to use such devices with supervision. “Today a nine-year-old can create a professional presentation using AI. Why not take time for thinking, creativity and problem-solving?”
balance, not restrictions
Also, Bhagat cautioned against excessive use. He said excessive reliance on AI could dull thinking and reduce adaptability.
He said, “It’s a difficult path. Parents and teachers have to guide its use – not ban it completely, nor allow complete dependence.”
What do students really lack?
For Bhagat, one of the biggest blind spots in Indian education is the neglect of soft skills – especially communication, confidence and persuasion.
“Sales are everywhere, whether you call it sales or not,” he said. “Making someone understand, presenting an idea, having a conversation – these are life skills.”
This gap is more visible among students from tier-two and tier-three cities. While he sees strong appetite and ambition outside the metros, many struggle with confidence and self-presentation.
“They often lose not because they are less capable, but because they do not have the same experience,” he said. He said this gap can be bridged with the right training and mindset.
no more guarantees
Bhagat offered a reality check for parents who have invested heavily in private institutions and skill programmes.
Pointing to the decline in placement numbers at campuses in India and abroad, he said, “There are no guarantees anymore – not even from top institutions.”
He warned families against betting on savings or taking on large loans based on promised results. “Education today must be evaluated on the basis of skills and adaptability, not just brand names or placement claims.”
Instead, he encouraged students completing graduation to step back and consider — sometimes even taking a gap year — to figure out what they really want to do.
make personal gains
For students entering the crowded job market, Bhagat stressed the importance of differentiation.
“There are 100 applicants for one role. Why should an employer choose you?” he asked.
His advice: Identify a genuine interest – whether technology, food, design, finance or mobility – and build a small personal brand around it through writing, videos, podcasts or discussions.
He said, “In the maker economy, visibility and credibility matter. What you consistently show becomes what you sell.”
‘Don’t buy negativity’
Bhagat ended with a strong message to young Indians looking to live abroad only in search of opportunity.
“India is a great place to live. Don’t move out of fear or negative comments,” he said.
Describing India as the fastest growing major economy, he urged students aged 18 to 23 to believe in domestic opportunities. “This is where the growth is happening. It’s a great time to be young in India.”
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