Photo Courtesy: nagalandpost
Kohima: A degree is no longer a golden ticket. Dr. Kevezai Tureng, director of the Centre for Development Studies at Nagaland University, delivered this harsh reality check at the 7th Graduation Ceremony of MGM College in Dimapur on September 9. He warned that traditional academic credentials cannot keep pace with the massive influx of job seekers.
State data paints a bleak picture for new hires. Between 2022 and 2025, Nagaland churned out 31,211 graduates, but state government services only hired 3,197 people. With 1.22 lakh people already on the government payroll in a state of nearly 20 lakh residents, the budget is tapped out. The math is simple. The government cannot hire everyone.
The backlog grows daily. Schools currently employ 17,850 teachers, yet only 200 are set to retire in 2026. Meanwhile, eight institutions produced 650 B.Ed graduates, and the 2026 graduating class across Arts, Commerce, Science, and B.Ed programs totals 6,412 students. National data mirrors these local struggles, with the 2025 Periodic Labour Force Survey and the 2026 India Skills Report showing graduate employability at just 52 percent.
Tureng pressed students to learn digital marketing, data analysis, or AI. Employers demand more. They want teamwork, analytical ability, and problem solving. As part of the Viksit Bharat vision 2047, the federal government plans to train 5.17 lakh AI learners to bridge this competency gap. Tureng told the crowd, “Your competition would be between a graduate with only a degree and a graduate with degree plus skills.”
The ceremony recognized 35 students from the 2026 batch. Principal Dr. R.K. Behera opened the event, while IQAC coordinator Jemsungba Walling led the oath. Professor Tankeswar Gohain spoke for Nagaland University, and graduate Lamleba Sangtam provided closing remarks.
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