The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) today convened its second general meeting in Guwahati, outlining a comprehensive development roadmap for Assam with a strong focus on employment generation, livelihood-centric education, and skill development for the state’s youth.

The student body’s agenda, unveiled at its headquarters, underscores an urgent need for the state to address youth unemployment and equip its workforce with industry-relevant skills, advocating for systemic reforms in the education sector to align with market demands.

What was announced

During its second general meeting held on June 30, 2026, in Guwahati, the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) articulated a detailed vision for Assam’s growth, prioritising the empowerment of its young population. The union emphasised the critical need for a comprehensive development roadmap that specifically targets employment generation, promotes livelihood-centric education, and enhances skill development across the state, according to reports from the meeting.

AASU leaders advocated for the introduction of livelihood-oriented curricula in schools, aiming to make education more practical and relevant to the job market from an early stage. Additionally, the student body called for the establishment of a dedicated human resource centre. This proposed centre would focus on empowering youth through targeted skill development programmes and career guidance, addressing the gap between academic qualifications and industry requirements.

AASU President Utpal Sarma and General Secretary Samiran Phukan were prominent figures at the meeting, highlighting the union’s commitment to these reforms.

Why it matters

AASU’s renewed focus on employment and education reforms comes amid concerning statistics regarding youth unemployment and brain drain in Assam. The state’s overall unemployment rate for persons aged 15 and above rose to 3.9 per cent in 2023-24, an increase from 1.7 per cent in 2022-23, surpassing the national average of 3.2 per cent. Urban areas face a more acute challenge, with unemployment at 7.4 per cent, and urban women experiencing the highest rate at 11.8 per cent.

The number of registered educated job-seekers in Assam reached 21.16 lakh in 2024, indicating a widening disparity between educational attainment and available job opportunities. AASU President Utpal Sarma previously flagged an alarming brain drain, noting that thousands of students leave Assam annually for better job-oriented courses and opportunities, with very few returning. He attributed this trend to limited job-oriented courses and weak industry-academia linkages within the state. This outward migration also results in substantial financial outflow from Assam as families invest in education outside the state.

Background

The All Assam Students’ Union, established in 1967, has a long history of advocating for the rights and welfare of Assam’s indigenous people. The organisation gained prominence for leading the six-year-long Assam Movement (1979-1985) against illegal immigration, which culminated in the signing of the historic Assam Accord. Throughout its history, AASU has consistently raised socio-political and economic demands, including those related to youth employment and educational reforms.

In September 2023, AASU, along with its offshoot Asom Unnati Sabha (AUS), announced plans to undertake massive farming activities across Assam to promote self-employment among lakhs of unemployed youths. Following the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit in March 2025, AASU welcomed investment initiatives but strongly emphasised the need for job creation for local Assamese youth, particularly in higher technical and non-technical positions within new projects.

The state government, under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has also launched several initiatives to address youth unemployment and promote skill development. In September 2023, the Chief Minister rolled out the “Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 2023,” a scheme designed to provide financial aid to two lakh youths for establishing their own ventures. Other government schemes include the “Boneej Scheme” for entrepreneurship promotion and the “Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment Yojana” (SVAYEM), which supports unemployed youth in starting businesses. The Assam Kalpataru Scheme also offers financial relief to unemployed graduates for self-employment.

In June 2026, Chief Minister Sarma urged students and young job-seekers to prepare for emerging employment opportunities in sectors such as semiconductors, Artificial Intelligence (AI), green energy, and advanced manufacturing, which are expected to drive the state’s future job market. The government has also pledged to provide jobs to two lakh youths, stressing the importance of entrepreneurship and self-reliance.

In a significant push towards skill development, the Assam government launched comprehensive vocational education reforms in May 2026. These reforms aim to improve industry-oriented learning and enhance job opportunities by modernising vocational education in schools through improved assessment systems and industry-linked training modules, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). The state has also partnered with Tata-Nelco to implement a Hub and Spoke Model in government schools for skill education, with an MoU signed in February 2025. Furthermore, plans are underway to integrate skill courses into higher education, with the goal of establishing at least one Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in every block of the state by 2026. The Assam Skill University has also been established to create an employable workforce.

Despite these efforts, AASU has raised concerns regarding the implementation of educational policies. In April 2026, AASU President Utpal Sarma highlighted that vacant posts and poor planning were hindering the effective implementation of the NEP in Assam’s colleges and universities. The union also previously protested the state government’s decision in May 2023 to introduce English as the medium of instruction for mathematics and science from Class six in vernacular medium schools, arguing it was detrimental to local languages.

Key details

The All Assam Students’ Union held its second general meeting on June 30, 2026, at its headquarters in Guwahati. The key proposals from the meeting included the urgent introduction of livelihood-oriented school curricula and the establishment of a dedicated human resource centre to empower the youth. AASU plans to submit a detailed memorandum outlining these recommendations to the state government.

Reactions

While no immediate official reaction from the state government to AASU’s specific demands today was available, the Assam government has consistently articulated its commitment to youth empowerment and skill development. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has frequently underscored the importance of creating an “entrepreneur-oriented ecosystem” and preparing the youth for future job markets.

Education Minister Ranoj Pegu has also emphasised the integration of skill-based education into school curricula and fostering collaborations with industries to enhance employability. The government’s recent reforms in vocational education and partnerships with corporate entities like Tata-Nelco for skill training reflect a shared objective of making Assam’s youth job-ready.

What’s next

AASU is expected to submit a detailed memorandum of its recommendations to the state government in the coming days. This submission is anticipated to initiate further discussions and potential policy considerations by the government. The state government is also preparing for its Budget Session, beginning on July 6, 2026, where key legislation related to land use and higher education infrastructure are expected to be tabled. Readers should monitor official announcements from both AASU and the state government for updates on these proposed reforms and their implementation.

Quick FAQs

What are AASU’s main demands from its latest meeting?

The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) is primarily demanding employment generation, livelihood-centric education, and skill development for Assam’s youth. Specific proposals include introducing livelihood-oriented school curricula and establishing a dedicated human resource centre.

What is the current unemployment situation in Assam?

Assam’s overall unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 3.9 per cent in 2023-24, higher than the national average. Urban areas, particularly urban women, face higher unemployment rates.

What steps has the Assam government taken to address youth employment?

The Assam government has launched several schemes, including the “Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Asom Abhijan 2023,” the “Boneej Scheme,” and the “Swami Vivekananda Assam Youth Empowerment Yojana” (SVAYEM), to promote self-employment and provide financial assistance to youth. It has also introduced vocational education reforms and established the Assam Skill University.

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