Raising serious concerns over the growing unemployment situation in Tripura, Youth Congress President Neel Kamal Saha has alleged that the state is facing an acute employment crisis, particularly among educated youth. 

He claimed that findings in NITI Aayog’s 2026 report on unemployment support the concerns being voiced by job seekers across the state.

Highlighting the state’s poor performance in apprenticeship programmes, Saha said Tripura contributes less than 0.1 percent to India’s total apprenticeship workforce, reflecting the limited opportunities available for skill development and employment. He argued that industrial employment remains virtually non-existent due to the absence of major industries and manufacturing units in the state.

According to Saha, inadequate industrial connectivity, lack of coordination among local employers, and hurdles in implementing development projects have prevented industrial growth in Tripura. He alleged that successive governments have repeatedly promised employment generation but have failed to deliver meaningful job opportunities for young people.

He further stated that with few private-sector employment options available, government jobs continue to be the primary source of hope for unemployed youth. The education sector, traditionally one of the largest employers in the state, has witnessed a significant decline in recruitment despite a large number of vacancies.

Saha claimed that nearly 15,000 teachers have retired over the last seven to eight years, yet many vacant positions remain unfilled and are reportedly being abolished. He said qualified Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) candidates have been staging demonstrations and sit-ins at the Education Department headquarters for months, demanding recruitment and appointment letters.

Criticising the government’s recruitment policy, he also alleged that the earlier practice of conducting TET examinations twice a year has been discontinued. According to aspirants, 368 candidates qualified in TET-I and 1,488 candidates qualified in TET-II during the 2024 examinations, earning eligibility certificates after successfully clearing the tests. However, they are yet to receive job offers.