Students Favor Practical Skills and Startup Support Over Prestige in University Choices

Students increasingly prioritize universities offering strong startup ecosystems, practical skill development, and real-world mentoring over traditional prestige. Reports highlight a shift toward purpose, employability, and mental well-being in college choices. Initiatives like Skill Univ address the gap between academic knowledge and workplace readiness by focusing on responsibility-based learning. Meanwhile, concerns arise over bureaucratic constraints in Indian higher education and the evolving role of informal soft-skills training shaping a new Indian identity beyond formal degrees.