What is it about?
This study reviews 30 research publications to understand how experiential learning influences employability and entrepreneurial intentions among students in Indian higher education. It finds that practical learning methods such as internships, live projects, industry collaborations, simulations, and entrepreneurship programs help students develop workplace skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindsets more effectively than traditional classroom teaching alone. The review highlights that experiential learning positively affects students’ intentions to become entrepreneurs, especially when supported by entrepreneurial self-efficacy and positive attitudes toward entrepreneurship. Together, these factors explain a large share of entrepreneurial intention among students. The study also examines the role of India’s National Education Policy 2020, which promotes skill-based and competency-focused education aligned with industry needs. While the policy provides a strong framework for reform, the review identifies several implementation challenges, including weak industry-academia collaboration, limited funding, lack of mentorship systems, and insufficient faculty training in experiential teaching methods. The paper recommends building stronger entrepreneurship ecosystems in universities, improving faculty development, increasing institutional support for start-ups, and creating inclusive opportunities for students. Overall, the study provides policy and educational recommendations to strengthen employability and entrepreneurship in Indian higher education.
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Why is it important?
This study is important because it highlights how experiential learning can bridge the gap between academic education and real-world employability in Indian higher education. Many graduates face challenges in securing jobs or developing entrepreneurial capabilities despite holding degrees. The review shows that practical learning approaches—such as internships, live projects, industry exposure, and entrepreneurship programs—help students build critical skills, confidence, problem-solving abilities, and entrepreneurial intentions that are highly valued in today’s economy. The study is also significant because it provides evidence supporting the goals of National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes skill-based, competency-driven, and industry-aligned education. By identifying gaps in implementation, including limited industry collaboration, inadequate mentorship, and insufficient faculty preparedness, the research offers practical recommendations for policymakers, universities, and educators. Additionally, the paper contributes to discussions on youth employment, innovation, and entrepreneurship in India. Strengthening experiential learning can help universities produce job-ready graduates, encourage start-up creation, and support national economic development goals. The findings therefore have implications not only for education institutions but also for industry leaders and policymakers working toward a more employable, entrepreneurial, and future-ready workforce.
Perspectives
From my perspective, this study is important because it moves the discussion beyond traditional classroom learning and focuses on how education can create real-world impact. In a rapidly changing economy, degrees alone are often insufficient; students need practical exposure, problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and entrepreneurial thinking. Experiential learning provides these capabilities by connecting theory with practice. I also believe the study is timely in the context of National Education Policy 2020, which envisions a more skill-oriented and industry-relevant education system in India. However, policy success depends on implementation. The findings clearly show that universities still face challenges such as limited industry partnerships, inadequate mentoring systems, and lack of faculty training for experiential pedagogy. Another important perspective is that experiential learning not only improves employability but also builds confidence and self-efficacy among students. This is particularly relevant for encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship among young graduates. If institutions can create stronger ecosystems for internships, live projects, incubation, and industry engagement, higher education can become a catalyst for both economic growth and social transformation. Overall, I see this research as a practical contribution toward making Indian higher education more future-ready, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of students, employers, and society.
Dr. Hans Kaushik
Dayalbagh Educational Institute
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Experiential learning, employability, and entrepreneurial intentions in Indian higher education: A systematic review and policy perspective, Forum for Education Studies, February 2026, Academic Publishing Pte. Ltd.,
DOI: 10.59400/fes4033.
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