Guwahati: Over 15.43 lakh people are registered as active job seekers in Assam as of June 30, 2026, the state government informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday. The Directorate of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship recorded 3.55 lakh fresh registrations during 2026, highlighting the ongoing challenge of job creation in the state.
The figures, presented in response to a starred question by MLA Rekibuddin Ahmed, underscore the significant demand for employment opportunities across Assam. The large number of active job seekers, coupled with a steady influx of new registrations, presents a considerable task for the state government in fulfilling employment aspirations.
What was announced
Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Minister Prasanta Phukan informed the Assam Legislative Assembly on Monday, July 13, 2026, that 15,43,350 job seekers were actively registered with the Directorate of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship as of June 30, 2026. The minister further stated that 3,55,741 fresh registrations were recorded during the period of 2026.
The government also revealed that 12,52,731 registrations had lapsed as of June 30, 2026. Providing an educational breakdown, Minister Phukan said that graduates constitute the largest group of job seekers with 6,48,899 registrations, followed by 1,16,159 postgraduates. The registry also includes 62,581 technical diploma holders and 65,989 technical graduates, indicating a substantial pool of qualified youth seeking employment.
Why it matters
The substantial number of active job seekers reflects the persistent challenge of unemployment in Assam, particularly among educated youth. The data highlights a significant mismatch between the available workforce and existing job opportunities, placing pressure on the state’s economy and social fabric.
The concentration of graduates and postgraduates in the unemployment registry points to a need for more diverse and high-skilled job creation, as well as a potential re-evaluation of educational curricula to better align with industry demands. The rising number of unemployed individuals has also been linked to increased migration of youth to other states in search of work, raising concerns about their safety and well-being.
Background
Unemployment has been a long-standing issue in Assam, with figures fluctuating over the years. As of March 31, 2016, the Directorate of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship had 15,82,987 registered job seekers. Data presented to the Assembly indicates that the number of registered job seekers stood at 11,53,971 in 2022, with 10,34,613 fresh registrations that year.
In 2023, total registrations surged to 20,10,517, including 8,56,546 new registrations. The figure peaked at 21,16,561 in 2024, with 1,06,044 fresh additions. However, in 2025, the number of active registered job seekers saw a decline to 11,88,160, while 2,49,765 new registrations were made.
The Economic Survey of Assam 2025-26, released in February 2026, noted the state’s overall unemployment rate (age 15 and above) at 3.9 percent in 2023-24, which was higher than the national average of 3.2 percent. Urban areas in Assam have consistently faced higher unemployment rates, with urban women being particularly affected.
The state government has undertaken various initiatives to address unemployment. The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), established under the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, aims to build capacity among unemployed youth and provide quality skill training for meaningful employment. Programs like Domain Based Fresh Skilling, Recognition of Prior Learning, and Recruit Train & Deploy (RTD) are part of ASDM’s efforts.
In November 2023, Minister Pijush Hazarika stated that 87,000 unemployed individuals had secured government jobs in the preceding two years, with a pledge to provide jobs to an additional 45,000 in the subsequent two-and-a-half years. The 2026-27 Assam Budget, presented by Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, has set a target of creating two lakh government jobs over the next five years. This budget also allocated Rs 496 crore to the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department to focus on developing industry-ready skills.
Investment projects worth over Rs 3.10 lakh crore, stemming from the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, are currently underway and are projected to generate 1,02,557 direct and indirect employment opportunities across the state. These include projects like the Tata Semiconductor Assembly and Test Facility at Jagiroad, expected to commence production in November 2026.
Key details
The Directorate of Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship, Assam, reported the following key figures to the Legislative Assembly:
- Total active job seekers registered as of June 30, 2026: 15,43,350
- Fresh registrations recorded during 2026: 3,55,741
- Lapsed registrations as of June 30, 2026: 12,52,731
Educational qualifications of registered job seekers include:
- Graduates: 6,48,899
- Postgraduates: 1,16,159
- Technical Diploma Holders: 62,581
- Technical Graduates: 65,989
What’s next
The Assam government continues to focus on skill development and employment generation as top priorities. The 2026-27 state Budget, presented on July 10, 2026, outlines a comprehensive strategy, including a target of creating two lakh employment opportunities across government departments, universities, medical colleges, statutory bodies, and state-owned companies over the next five years.
A high-level task force, led by the Chief Secretary, has been constituted to oversee the implementation and monitor the progress of these job creation initiatives. Emphasis is also being placed on strengthening Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnic institutions, and fostering partnerships between educational institutions and industries to enhance youth employability.