India is grappling with a significant youth crisis. A staggering 58.7 million young individuals are mired in poverty, and the issue of unemployment is rampant even among the educated, with 9 million graduates jobless. The problem extends to postgraduates as well, with half a million unable to secure employment. This prevalent skill gap, if not addressed, threatens to cause a GDP loss of a massive USD 1.97 trillion by 2028. However, there is a silver lining. Investment in upskilling programs presents a promising solution. By equipping the youth with industry-relevant skills, India has the potential to boost its GDP by $570 billion by 2030. Moreover, such initiatives can play a pivotal role in alleviating youth poverty by enhancing their employability and income prospects. These pressing issues underscore the need for immediate and comprehensive reforms in India’s education and employment sectors to unlock the immense potential of its youth and set the stage for sustained economic growth.