Congress Targets Modi Government Over 8.7 Crore Youth and 76% Onion Price Jump

2 articles · Updated · The Hindu · Aug 24

8.7 crore Indians aged 15-29 are neither studying, working nor in training, Congress said, using a NITI Aayog report to accuse the Modi government of wrecking the path from education to jobs.
15.6% youth unemployment in July 2026 — rising to 19.5% for young women — underpinned the attack, with Mallikarjun Kharge saying graduates make up 67% of unemployed Indians aged 20-29.
24 crore jobs should have been created in 12 years under the BJP's pledge of 2 crore a year, Kharge said, adding that many government posts remain vacant while secure work is giving way to contractual jobs.
76% onion price increases in Nashik over a month widened the opposition's attack, with Congress saying wholesale rates had doubled in some states and the government's buffer stock was empty.
The criticism ties jobs and inflation into a broader cost-of-living challenge, as Congress says rising prices of milk, oil and fruit are squeezing poor and middle-class households.