Industry–academia skill gap analysis for achieving viksit odisha under viksit bharat 2047: challenges and strategic interventions

The aspiration of Viksit Bharat 2047 envisions India as a developed, innovation-driven economy supported by a skilled and adaptive workforce. In alignment with this national objective, Odisha is pursuing the vision of Viksit Odisha through industrial expansion and educational transformation. Despite these efforts, a persistent mismatch exists between academic learning outcomes and industry expectations, leading to concerns regarding graduate employability. The present study investigates the industry–academia skill gap in Odisha and its implications for workforce readiness. A sample of 384 respondents, including students, faculty members, and industry recruiters, was analyzed using statistical tools such as correlation, regression, chi-square test, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results indicate that practical training, digital competencies, curriculum relevance, and industry collaboration significantly influence employability outcomes. The study suggests strengthening experiential learning, updating curricula, and enhancing institutional–industry partnerships to support sustainable workforce development under Viksit Odisha and Viksit Bharat 2047.