“The idea was that the Centre is planning the next youth policy, but a comprehensive data on the youth is not available. The data available through family health surveys and National Sample surveys are fragmented. Therefore, this large-scale study — to record different aspects of the life of the youth in a representative manner — was undertaken. It should provide for baseline data for the youth and can be used for the policy,” said Dr Usha Ram.

“The study attempts to collate information regarding the youth in terms of employment, education, premarital and extramarital sexual behaviour, access to economic resources, autonomy, gender issues, community participation,” said Professor F Ram, another coordinator for the survey.

According to the Government, the number of youths in the age group of 13-35 years, as per the 1991 Census, was estimated at around 34 crore, and this is anticipated to increase to 51 crore by 2016.

For the IIPS survey, youths — both male and female — in the 15-24 years age group were divided into four categories of married males (MM), married females (MF), unmarried males (UM) and unmarried females (UF). About the findings, S K Mohanty, another IIPS survey coordinator, said, “Unemployment is higher among women than among men. Also, the unemployment rate by educational level is substantially higher among women with 12 years of schooling in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Jharkhand.” Dr Usha Ram added, “Because of educational levels and social status, women do not want to do lower or inferior jobs.”

... contd.