'The Era Of Software And MBA Advantage Is Over': CEA V Anantha Nageswaran

India’s Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran has called on young Indians to shift focus from conventional career paths like software engineering or MBA programs toward vocational trades, arguing that the global advantage of software and business education is fading. Speaking on an ANI podcast, Nageswaran criticized the rigid educational trajectory many students follow—graduating, pursuing higher studies, or preparing for exams like the UPSC—without considering sustainable employment in a changing economy. He noted that countries like Switzerland, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and China place greater respect on trade skills such as welding, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work, unlike India’s historical undervaluation of these professions. Nageswaran emphasized that the future belongs to skills where human judgment and presence are irreplaceable, including careers in counselling, caregiving, and hospitality. He cited a conversation with a young chef who felt overshadowed by peers in other fields, advising against measuring success through social media and instead focusing on irreplaceable abilities. The adviser also linked employability to public health, warning that India’s economic growth depends on healthy, productive citizens. He cited National Family Health Survey data showing rising obesity across income groups, attributing the trend to sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits. Nageswaran stressed that physical and mental well-being are critical for productivity and income growth. His message to young Indians was clear: invest in skills technology cannot replicate and prioritize health alongside professional qualifications. The shift, he argued, is necessary to adapt to a rapidly evolving job market where adaptability and human-centric professions will dominate.