This volume explores the educational and skill development trajectories of 14–21-year-olds in India, focusing on the National Capital Region of Delhi. It examines this transitional age group’s human development aspirations and assesses what the system currently offers them, providing critical insights into securing India’s demographic dividend.

The study highlights significant gaps in senior secondary schools and vocational education opportunities, addressing a notable lacuna in existing literature on this age group. Its urban focus reveals vulnerabilities affecting youth lives—including livelihood challenges, inadequate civic amenities, violence, drug use and social marginalisation—presenting a comprehensive picture of urban challenges that demand targeted interventions. Drawing on these findings, the volume offers specific, actionable recommendations for policy and practice.

This book will be invaluable to researchers, practitioners and policymakers working in school education, youth development and skill enhancement.

The Public Report on Secondary Education (PROSE) team members are a mix of academicians, policy researchers and administrators who have years of experience working in the government sector, and education and research institutes. The nine members include Amarjeet Sinha, Anuradha De, Bonu Sekhar, Kiran Bhatty, Laveesh Bhandari, N.V. Varghese, Samyak Jain, Subramanian Reddy, and Vrinda Sarup. They have a deep commitment to the cause of education and have worked as part of the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a think tank that values independence, integrity and impact.