Economist Sanjeev Sanyal has stated that pursuing UPSC exams purely for job stability is a complete waste of time. Speaking on an ANI podcast, he said India’s long-standing obsession with university degrees and competitive exams like the UPSC has become outdated in the age of rapid technological change.
Sanyal explained that traditional curriculum-based learning and test preparation are losing relevance due to technology and artificial intelligence. He added that while government jobs and degrees made sense in the 1960s, the way skills and knowledge are acquired has fundamentally changed today.
Sanjeev Sanyal on Changing Relevance of Degrees and Exams
Sanyal, who is a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, said university education was historically meant for a small elite and only became widespread in the 20th century. He argued that lecture-based teaching is now being overtaken by technology-driven learning tools.
According to him, AI can deliver knowledge more efficiently than traditional classrooms. He said many jobs that once required years of formal training can now be performed with the help of technology. Citing an example, he said being a stenographer may have been a strong career option in the 1940s, but technological progress has made such roles routine today.
Skill Development Must Merge With Higher Education
Sanyal stressed that tertiary education and skill development need to merge. He said the clear division between university education and vocational skills is collapsing. With access to online learning, people can now acquire new skills at any stage of life.
He described this shift as a major challenge for the current skilling system. Earlier, skill-based work was viewed as separate from high-end academic education. According to Sanyal, this distinction no longer holds value as technology allows people to learn complex subjects outside traditional universities.
Start Working at 18, Study Alongside Jobs
Questioning the idea of spending four full years in university before entering the workforce, Sanyal suggested that people should start working at 18 years of age. He said degrees can be pursued alongside jobs rather than before employment.
He argued that industry is moving faster than academia and education systems must adapt. Greater emphasis should be placed on apprenticeships and practical learning instead of long-duration degrees. He cited examples of business leaders who support early workforce entry combined with continuous learning.
Universities Need Structural Reform
While acknowledging that universities will continue to play an important role, especially in fields requiring hands-on training, Sanyal said their current structure needs major reform. He welcomed recent policy changes that allow flexible exit options from degree programmes but criticised outdated thinking embedded in long-term courses.
He said artificial intelligence will cause large-scale disruption but should be embraced. According to him, AI enables people with lower formal qualifications to perform tasks that once required extensive training. Those who adapt quickly will be able to upgrade their skills and remain relevant. Sanyal concluded that India’s education system must shift focus from exam-centric thinking to real-world skills, adaptability, and lifelong learning in an AI-driven economy.
