The State of the Youth Report 2026: A Generation on the Edge of Precarity, published by Eastern Himalayan Foundation in collaboration with Reading Himalaya, explores the aspirations and challenges of young people in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills. Drawing on a survey of 839 students across 12 colleges, alongside interviews with students and educators, it examines how financial hardship, unequal access to guidance and limited local opportunities shape young people’s journeys from education to employment.

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The findings reveal a growing gap between higher education and secure, meaningful careers, with three in four students surveyed expressing a desire to migrate for work. The report calls for stronger career guidance and mentorship, targeted support for vulnerable students, and greater awareness of employment options and migration risks. It offers an evidence base for educators, policymakers and community organisations to help young people make informed choices and shape their own futures.