Employability, Quality, and Inclusion in Indian Higher Education: A Conceptual Framework for Management Education

Abstract

In this paper, the problem of employability in Indian higher education is discussed with reference to management education. It adopts a conceptual approach by synthesising existing literature on employability, curriculum design, faculty capability, industry collaboration, digital transformation, and inequality. According to this conceptual synthesis, employability is influenced not by a single factor but by a combination of several interconnected variables, including curriculum relevance, teaching quality, industry exposure, digital preparedness, and students’ socioeconomic status. The paper also notes a gap between policy intentions and actual institutional implementation, particularly in the areas of curriculum reform and inclusion. Following this synthesis, the paper constructs a conceptual framework that links institutional inputs to employability outcomes through skill development and learning processes, with socioeconomic inequality as a moderating factor. One of the strengths of the paper is that it goes beyond a limited skill-gap perspective, providing deeper insights into employability by integrating structural, institutional, and pedagogical aspects. Additionally, the paper highlights practical implications for policy, institutions, and industry, emphasising the need for coordinated, long-term actions rather than isolated efforts.