The Jobless Code: Why Computer Science Graduates Are Stranded in a Digital Age
- thebrink2028
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The Dream That Never Boots
Rohan, 23, his laptop open to a job portal that’s become his daily ritual. A computer science graduate from a mid-tier Indian college, he’s sent out 327 applications last month. Zero interviews. His degree, once sold as a golden ticket to a six-figure tech job, feels like a receipt for a scam. “They told us coding was the future,” he says, voice low, eyes fixed on a rejection email. “Now AI writes better code than me, and companies don’t even reply.” Across the table, his friend Deepak, another CS grad, nods. He’s working at a call center, his coding skills rusting. “We were promised Google, Microsoft,” he says. “Instead, I’m selling insurance plans.”
What’s Really Going On
AI Is Eating Entry-Level Jobs
Automation, particularly generative AI, is replacing junior coders faster than universities can churn them out.
30% of entry-level software jobs in India have been automated, with tools like GitHub Copilot and Claude writing cleaner, faster code than most fresh graduates.
Arjun, a 22-year-old from Bengaluru, built a portfolio of Python projects only to find startups using AI to automate tasks he trained for. “I spent four years learning to code APIs,” he says. “Now a $20-a-month tool does it in seconds.” Companies like Infosys and TCS have slashed campus hiring by 25% since 2023, citing “efficiency gains” from AI.
Oversupply of Graduates, Undersupply of Skills
India produces 1.5 million engineering graduates annually, with 80% in CS or related fields, but only 10% are deemed “employable”. The curriculum, is getting outdated, emphasizes rote learning over practical skills like cloud computing or DevOps. In Delhi, Anjali, 24, graduated with a 9.2 GPA but failed a coding test at a startup because she’d never used Docker. “My college didn’t teach that,” she says. “They taught C++ from 1990s textbooks.” Meanwhile, global tech hubs prioritize hands-on experience, leaving Indian grads in the dust.
The Gig Economy Trap
Desperate for work, many CS grads turn to gig platforms like Upwork or Freelancer, only to face brutal competition and low pay. Vikram, 25, from Hyderabad, earns $3 an hour coding WordPress plugins, barely covering his rent. “I compete with coders from Ukraine, Philippines, charging even less,” he says.
60% of Indian gig workers in tech earn below minimum wage, trapped in a race-to-the-bottom economy. Globally, gig work is a stopgap, not a career, but in India, it’s becoming a default for CS grads.
The Timeline of Collapse
2010–2015: The Tech Boom Hype
India’s IT sector boomed, with companies like TCS and Wipro hiring en masse. Colleges expanded CS programs, promising “100% placement.” Parents invested life savings, sold land, believing tech was a sure bet.
2016–2020: Cracks Emerge
Automation began replacing repetitive coding tasks. Global demand shifted to specialized skills (AI, cybersecurity), but Indian curricula is not upgraded. By 2019, 65% of CS grads were underemployed.
2021–2023: AI Accelerates
Generative AI tools exploded, automating code generation and testing. Companies cut junior roles, favoring senior engineers. Layoffs hit global tech giants—Meta axed 11,000 jobs in 2022, Google 12,000 in 2023—signaling a shift.
2024–2025: The Perfect Storm
India’s job market for CS grads hit a 20-year low, with 6.1% unemployment for 22–27-year-olds. Globally, AI adoption and economic slowdowns tightened hiring.
The narrative of “learn to code, get rich” was built on a fleeting moment when demand outstripped supply. AI flipped the script, and education systems didn’t adapt. Geopolitically, India’s low-cost labor model lost edge to countries like Vietnam, where tech training aligns better with global needs.
The Gap Widens
Globally, CS grads face challenges, but India’s crisis is acute. In the U.S., unemployment for CS majors is 6.1%, high but manageable, with many pivoting to non-tech roles like consulting (3% unemployment for biology majors shows flexibility). In Germany, vocational programs integrate coding with practical training, ensuring 90% employability. Singapore’s tech bootcamps reskill grads in six months, aligning with industry needs. India’s gap? A rigid education system and a cultural obsession with degrees over skills. India’s tertiary education fall behind G20 peers, with only 28.4% enrollment compared to 50% in China.
Trust erosion is rampant—students feel betrayed by colleges, parents, and a system that sold them a lie. 40% of Indian CS grads report anxiety and depression tied to unemployment.
Behavior shifts are strong: Deepak's move to a call center reflects a broader trend of “deskilling,” where grads abandon tech for survival jobs. Incentive traps keep them there—low wages in gig work or non-tech roles offer short-term relief but long-term stagnation.
Under-Covered Truths
The Coaching Scam Nexus
Private coaching institutes in India, charging ₹1–2 lakh per course, promise “job-ready” skills but often deliver outdated content. 60% of these institutes lack accreditation, yet they enroll 2 million students annually. Grads are left with debt and no skills.
Corporate Ghosting
Companies post “entry-level” jobs requiring 3–5 years of experience, filtering out freshers. 70% of Indian tech job listings demand senior-level skills, a trend under-reported in optimistic “tech boom” narratives.
Global Outsourcing Shift
While India was once the outsourcing hub, firms now favor Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia for cost and skill alignment. 15% drop in India’s share of global IT outsourcing since 2020, rarely mentioned in local media.
TheBrink's Predictive Analysis
If, No major policy shift; colleges prioritize enrollment over quality. AI continues automating entry-level roles, and India’s education system reforms slowly. By 2028, 50% of CS grads remain underemployed. Rising enrollment in low-tier colleges, stagnant hiring by IT firms.
If Layoffs continue , AI adoption accelerates with no safety nets.
Social unrest grows as unemployed grads fuel discontent. By 2027, protests erupt in tech hubs like Bengaluru, similar to 2024’s jobless youth rallies in Uttar Pradesh. Rising social media posts on unemployment, protests in tier-2 cities.
Warnings
Spike in social media about CS grad unemployment or coaching scams.
Declining IT sector hiring in quarterly reports from TCS, Infosys.
Increased enrollment in non-tech courses (e.g., MBA, civil services).
Protests or strikes by tech students in urban centers.
Sponsor Thank-You
Special thanks to Coding4All, who funded this research after their founder, Mr. Sharma, saw grads struggling to find a tech job despite a top-tier CS degree.
-Chetan Desai
TheBrink is where visionaries, startups, and investors truly connect.Founders, share your idea in confidentiality—we vet and amplify only what’s fundable. Investors and VCs, share your profile in confidentiality—we filter out the noise and surface the deals worth your attention.
We’re building a trusted pipeline where high-potential startups meet serious capital. No hype. No clutter. Just real opportunities, validated and matched.
If you’re ready to plug into deal flow the future that matters.
Support the movement—submit, invest, or sponsor a research at thebrink2028@gmail.com.
