Congress Criticises Modi Government Over Youth Unemployment and Rising Essential Commodity Prices

The Congress party launched a sharp critique against the Narendra Modi government on Monday, raising concerns over high youth unemployment and the escalating cost of essential kitchen staples across the country.

What Happened

Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge accused the Central government of damaging the transition from education to employment for Indian youth. Pointing to official and survey statistics, Mr. Kharge highlighted that 8.7 crore young Indians between the ages of 15 and 29 are currently disengaged from education, employment, or vocational training, citing a report by NITI Aayog.

Alongside unemployment concerns, Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh questioned the administration regarding rising prices of daily necessities, focusing on sharp increases in wholesale and retail onion rates alongside broader grocery inflation.

Key Highlights

• Youth Unemployment Rates: Citing the Periodic Labour Force Survey for July 2026, Mr. Kharge noted that youth unemployment stood at 15.6%, with the rate among young women reaching 19.5%.
• Graduate Joblessness: According to data cited by the Congress chief, graduates make up 67% of unemployed Indians aged 20 to 29 years.
• Employment Delivery: Mr. Kharge challenged the government’s previous pledge to generate two crore jobs annually, calculating that 24 crore positions should have been established over a 12-year span.
• Education and Recruitment Issues: Allegations were raised regarding high education costs, examination paper leaks, postponed recruitment drives, vacant government positions, and an expanding skills gap.
• Essential Commodity Inflation: Mr. Ramesh cited media data showing onion prices in Nashik surged by about 76% in a month, with wholesale prices doubling in certain States. He also cited cost increases for milk, cooking oil, and fruits, alleging that the national buffer stock for onions was depleted.
• NITI Aayog Recommendations: The referenced NITI Aayog report, titled Reimagining Skilling for Viksit Bharat@2047 (derived from the 2021 National Sample Survey 78th round), recommended subsidised training initiatives for self-employment and better alignment between local demand and skilling.

Why This Matters

The issues raised spotlight dual pressures facing Indian households: limited secure employment avenues for educated youth and the diminishing purchasing power of families due to sustained inflation in staple foods. The reliance on contractual work and delays in public sector recruitment continue to form central arguments in political debates surrounding economic management and education quality.

What to Watch Next

Attention remains on how the Central government addresses the policy recommendations outlined in NITI Aayog’s skilling framework and whether market interventions will be implemented to stabilise volatile onion and vegetable prices in wholesale and retail markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What data did Mallikarjun Kharge cite on youth unemployment?

Mr. Kharge cited the July 2026 Periodic Labour Force Survey, indicating a 15.6% youth unemployment rate overall and 19.5% for young women, as well as a NITI Aayog report estimating that 8.7 crore individuals aged 15 to 29 are not in education, employment, or training.

What did the Congress say regarding food inflation?

Party communications chief Jairam Ramesh highlighted that onion wholesale rates doubled in several states and rose around 76% in Nashik within a month, while prices for milk, oil, and fruits continue to place economic strain on households.

Source: Based on statements and data reported by The Hindu.