Journal of Epidemiology and Public Health

Education Employment Mismatch Why Graduates Of ten Work Below Their Qualification Level In Bihar

Abstract

Sidharth Kumar

Background The expansion of higher education has substantially increased the supply of graduates in India; however, the availability of employment commensurate with their educational qualifications remains uneven. Education–employment mismatch, particularly employment below the qualification level, represents an important dimension of labour-market inefficiency and graduate underemployment in Bihar. Objective The study aims to examine the extent and patterns of education–employment mismatch among graduates in Bihar and to identify the major socio-economic, educational, and labour-market factors associated with graduates working below their qualification level.

Method The study employs secondary data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey(PLFS)andrelevantNationalSampleSurvey(NSS) roundsconducted under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI). Supporting information is obtained from the Census of India, Ministry of Education, Government of India, and International Labour Organization (ILO). Graduate mismatch is assessed by comparing individuals’ educational attainmentwiththeiroccupationalposition. Descriptivestatistics,comparative analysis, correlation analysis, and multivariate regression techniques are employedtoexamin ethemagnitude,determinants,andinter-groupvariations in mismatch.

Result Thefindingsindicateasignificantprevalenceofgraduatesworkingin occupations below their formal qualification level in Bihar. The mismatch is associated with limited availability of suitable employment, skill–job disparities, sectoral concentration, spatial inequalities, and differences in labour-market opportunities.

Conclusion The study concludes that educational expansion alone is insufficient to ensure appropriate employment outcomes. Strengthening industry education linkages, employability skills, career guidance, and creation of qualification-matched employment opportunities is essential for reducing graduate underemployment in Bihar.

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