India's Cockroach Movement Highlights Youth Unemployment and Education Challenges

Young Indians, frustrated by unemployment and a struggling education system, have formed a new political movement called the Cockroach Janta Party. The name stems from a remark by India’s chief justice earlier this year, who referred to unemployed youth as 'cockroaches.' The movement has gained traction, leading to protests, police crackdowns, and even the resignation of the education minister. However, the underlying issues-youth unemployment and education challenges-remain unresolved. ## Economic Growth Without Structural Change India’s economy has seen growth, but this has not translated into sufficient job creation. The country’s labor market remains dominated by informal and precarious work, with only a small fraction of the population in formal employment. While India added 83 million jobs since the pandemic, half of these were in agriculture, a sector known for its informality. Women, in particular, are heavily represented in farming jobs, highlighting the lack of opportunities in other sectors. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s developmental strategy has not addressed these structural issues. Despite visible infrastructure improvements and growing affluence among the top segment of society, the majority of Indians have not benefited from this growth. The Cockroach Janta Party’s protests reflect this disparity, with young people demanding better job prospects and economic opportunities. ## Education System: Strengths and Weaknesses India’s education system has its strengths, including prestigious institutions like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and a growing number of universities. However, the system struggles with elementary education, where outcomes are poor due to underpaid teachers, low attendance, and a lack of cultural capital in many households. The Right to Education Act of 2009 has increased school enrollment, but the quality of education in rural areas remains a significant concern. Comparisons with China highlight India’s challenges. While China has near-comprehensive literacy, India’s top university, IIT Delhi, ranks 118th globally. The gap in elementary education is particularly stark, with many rural schools lacking the resources to provide a quality education. This disparity affects the broader economy, as a poorly educated workforce struggles to find formal employment. ## AI and the Future of India’s IT Sector India’s IT sector has been a key economic driver, but advances in artificial intelligence (AI) pose a significant threat. Surveys suggest that up to 130 million jobs in the routine white-collar sector could be at risk, potentially devastating an economy that has not diversified into manufacturing. India’s manufacturing sector employs only 11-13% of the workforce, a level typical of highly developed economies that have already industrialized. The central question for India is why it has not followed the path of countries like Bangladesh or Vietnam, which have successfully built low-wage manufacturing sectors. The Cockroach Janta Party’s protests highlight the urgency of addressing these economic and educational challenges, as young Indians demand better opportunities and a more inclusive economy.