UN- sponsored study finds only 10% of Indian students receive professional career guidance
New Delhi: An UN-sponsored survey, conducted in 14 districts including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Punjab, Karnataka and Rajasthan, revealed that only 10.4% of Indian higher-education students receive professional counseling to help them make informed career decisions.
The study included 21,239 students from grades 9 through 12 and found that most students struggle with limited information, lack of self-awareness, and external constraints when determining their future.
According to the survey, 41% of private school students reported uncertainty in course selection, compared with 35% in government schools, despite comparatively better access to resources. The study also noted that only 22% of students, 24% in private schools and 20% in government schools — have a backup career plan.
Key findings show that just 10% of students know the costs of higher education courses, while 38% remain unsure about their target education level. Overall, 81% reported barriers to career decision-making, ranging from family or peer influence to concerns about future prospects.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, Himanshu Gupta, secretary of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), stressing on the importance of early career planning said, “Career plays a vital role in shaping a child’s future, and the process must begin early."
Gupta said that to address the gap, it is working on qualification standards and training modules to prepare certified career counsellors, who will guide students in making informed choices aligned with their interests and skills.
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No unannounced load shedding in Kerala, outages due to overload, says Minister
Palakkad (PTI): Kerala Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty on Saturday said there was no unannounced load shedding in the state, attributing recent power interruptions to temporary overload caused by high consumption.
Clarifying concerns raised from various parts of the state, the minister said the disruptions are not deliberate but occur when demand peaks, particularly between 10 pm and 11 pm.
"It is not being done intentionally. Power consumption has risen sharply, and when there is excessive and indiscriminate usage, the system experiences overload, leading to natural supply interruptions," he told reporters here.
His remarks come amid complaints that several areas have been witnessing frequent power cuts, often lasting around 15 minutes and occurring multiple times during the night.
Krishnankutty said the state's power demand has crossed 6,195 MW, putting pressure on the supply system. He added that around 70 per cent of Kerala's electricity is procured from outside, and existing power banking arrangements have been exhausted.
"We have approached the Regulatory Commission seeking permission to purchase more power. However, this will come at a higher cost," he said.
The minister said the government is trying to avoid increasing electricity tariffs and urged consumers to exercise restraint in usage to help manage the situation.
Responding to opposition criticism over the ruling LDF's earlier claims of a decade without power cuts, he said the current situation is not unique to Kerala.
A power crisis is emerging across the country, he said, and sarcastically asked the Opposition to take note of the role of natural factors in this.
Krishnankutty expressed confidence that the situation would improve within two days, while cautioning that long-term energy security would depend on enhancing in-state power generation.
He also warned that future generations could face serious challenges if adequate electricity production capacity is not developed within Kerala.
