Only 55% employable: Is your BCom degree losing its value?

With millions of students enroling in Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) programmes every year, the degree remains one of India’s most popular undergraduate choices. However, a widening gap between education and employment outcomes is raising serious concerns.

With only about 55 per cent of graduates considered employable, according to the India Skills Report 2025, the spotlight is now on whether BCom courses are aligned with the needs of a rapidly evolving, skills-first job market.

“BCom has become a low-risk entry choice but a high-risk exit outcome,” said Professor Keyoor Purani, Vice Chancellor, Prestige University, Indore.

He explained that while the degree is widely seen as a safe, affordable option that keeps multiple pathways open, it often lacks differentiation at the exit level.

“The real gap is not the employability of graduates, but the employability built into undergraduate education itself,” he added, pointing to a systemic issue in how undergraduate programmes are designed.

“The real strength of a Commerce curriculum lies in its connection to industry, not just classrooms.Without integrating real-world exposure, we risk producing graduates unprepared for modern business needs. An AI-driven, industry-linked approach is now essential to bridge the growing skill gap, said Professor V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai.

IS THE BCOM CURRICULUM FAILING TO KEEP PACE WITH INDUSTRY DEMANDS?

Experts largely agree that traditional BCom programmes have not evolved in line with industry expectations.

“The evidence suggests that the traditional BCom curriculum is lagging behind industry expectations, citing excessive focus on theory and limited practical exposure,"said Professor Ram Kumar Kakani, Vice Chancellor, RV University.

He also highlighted the gaps in alignment with emerging sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and BFSI, along with insufficient integration of modern compliance frameworks like IFRS and Indian accounting standards.

“While BCom continues to provide a strong theoretical foundation in commerce, accounting, and finance, it has not evolved at the same pace as industry requirements,” explained Pratham Barot, CEO and Co-Founder, Zell Education.

“Today’s employers are looking for applied skills such as data interpretation, financial modelling, digital tools, and real-world problem-solving, areas often missing from traditional curricula,” he further added.

WHY ARE BCOM GRADUATES STRUGGLING DESPITE THE DEGREE'S POPULARITY?

The paradox lies in the scale of the degree and the lack of differentiation among graduates.

“BCom is now largely seen as a default degree, and this mass adoption has led to scale without differentiation, weakening its signalling value in the job market,” said Professor Keyoor Purani.

“The popularity of BCom has led to high supply without differentiation. Many graduates enter the job market with similar theoretical knowledge but limited practical exposure, making it difficult for employers to distinguish between candidates,” Pratham Barot further added.

Hiring has become increasingly skill-first, with recruiters prioritising hands-on experience, internships, and proficiency in tools like Excel and analytics platforms, skills many graduates lack.

Meanwhile, the degree alone is often insufficient.

“It needs dependence on additional qualifications such as CA, CS, CMA, ACCA, or even data analytics certifications," Professor Ram Kumar Kakani highlighted.

He explained why standalone BCom graduates face limited job prospects. He also points to uneven college quality, weak industry integration, and limited faculty exposure to modern tools as contributing factors.

WHAT STRUCTURAL CHANGES ARE NEED TO BRIDGE THE EMPLOYABILITY GAP?

Experts agree that a fundamental redesign, not minor tweaks, is needed.

Professor Keyoor Purani calls for a shift “from theory-led teaching to capability building,” emphasising the need to integrate analytics, digital fluency, and interdisciplinary learning into core programmes. He also points to emerging models like BSc Finance and BSc Quantitative Economics as being more aligned with current industry needs.

Curricula need to become more dynamic, incorporating real-world case studies, simulations, and project-based learning.

He also stressed the importance of mandatory internships, stronger industry collaboration, and alignment with global certifications such as ACCA, CPA, and CMA to enhance job readiness.

Digital and analytical skills should be made a core part of the curriculum. Tools like Advanced Excel, ERP systems, Power BI, and accounting software should be compulsory and credit-based.

There should also be more practical assessments, industry exposure, skill labs, and a stronger focus on communication and soft skills.

“The issue is not failure, but a growing misalignment between curriculum and industry needs.While traditional B.Com programmes were built for a different economic context, today’s landscape demands adaptability, data literacy, and digital fluency," said Dr. Jitin Chadha, Pro-Chancellor, University of Design, Innovation and Technology (UDIT)

A largely theoretical, exam-driven approach is falling short in preparing students for real-world, interdisciplinary roles.

As India’s higher education ecosystem evolves under the National Education Policy (NEP), traditional degrees like BCom are under pressure to reinvent themselves.

The consensus is clear: the degree is not obsolete, but without integrating real-world skills, industry exposure, and digital capabilities, what has long been considered a “safe” option risks becoming a high-risk choice in today’s competitive job market.