India’s Youth Unemployment Rises 2026, Young Women Hit Hardest: PLFS Report

Youth unemployment rose in early 2026, with young women being the most affected, according to the latest quarterly bulletin from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data for the January-March 2026 quarter paints a sobering picture of the Indian labour market, particularly for the younger demographic. While the overall national unemployment rate edged up slightly to 5%, the rate for those aged 15 to 29 saw a sharper increase, rising to 15%. This trend highlights persistent stress in the economy’s ability to absorb fresh graduates and vocational trainees into the formal workforce.