Unemployment among engineers is rising in Karnataka due to lack of skills and other reasons. This year, around 48,000 engineering graduates registered under the Yuva Nidhi scheme. So far, 3.79 lakh candidates have joined, and 2.98 lakh are eligible for financial aid. Among them are 43,529 engineering graduates, 374 engineering postgraduates, and 4,250 diploma-engineering holders. Minister for Medical Education, Skill Development and Livelihood Sharan Prakash Patil shared these details on Thursday. He mentioned that non-engineering graduates registered include 3,00,214 from Arts, Science, Commerce, and Management, with 27,843 postgraduates. "Out of about 1 lakh engineering graduates every year, only about 20 to 25,000 candidates get jobs. The increasing unemployment in the engineering sector is a matter of concern," said Minister Patil. The government provides skill training under Yuva Nidhi, but about 90% of candidates do not attend the training. Patil extended an offer to corporate companies to start skill centers in government and private engineering colleges. "Bajaj started a skill center at PES University, and Tata is opening one at R.V. Engineering College. Companies starting training centers will get infrastructure support and training expenses will be paid once candidates get jobs," he added. The government is also establishing multi-level skill training centers in Kalaburagi, Talakal (Koppal district), and Mysuru for Yuva Nidhi beneficiaries. Despite government spending readiness, candidates are reluctant to join training. "We contacted them via messages and calls but got no response. Some think financial aid may stop during training, but we clarified it won't stop unless they are placed for two years," clarified Patil. Data reveals that ₹27 crore allocated for Yuva Nidhi training in 2025 went unused. The department plans to increase targets by combining funds for 2025 and 2026.