Archives of Current Research International

Livelihood security remains a critical concern for rural youth, whose employment prospects are increasingly shaped by the skills they possess rather than by formal education alone. In an economy that is rapidly shifting towards diversified and non-farm occupations, the ability to secure and sustain a livelihood depends heavily on a combination of hard and soft skills. The present study examined the role of hard and soft skills in strengthening livelihood security among rural youth. The study was carried out in the Fatehabad and Hisar districts of Haryana State. A sample of 200 respondents, including 100 males and 100 females, was selected using a random sampling method to assess skill possession, participation in skill-building initiatives, and self-perceived skill adequacy. The findings revealed that problem-solving (65%) and managerial skills (60.5%) were the most commonly reported soft skills. Among hard skills, agricultural skills (64.5%) and digital skills (43%) were the most widely held, followed by hand skills (36%) and technical skills (34%), respectively. In terms of self-assessed skill adequacy, only 26.5 per cent of respondents felt fully equipped with their current skills. The skill and ability index was highest among male respondents in Hisar (72.2) and lowest among male respondents in Fatehabad (64.6), with an overall mean of 67.1, indicating moderate skill capacity across the sample, with clear district and gender disparities. The study underscores the need for targeted skill-development interventions, particularly in entrepreneurship, digital literacy, and technical training, to bridge existing skill gaps and enhance employability and livelihood security among rural youth.