• Neeta Varshney
• Surabhi Bhatnagar

The rising competition in the contemporary job market, combined with increasingly limited employment opportunities, has emerged as a major source of career-related anxiety among students. As higher education expands and more young individuals pursue professional degrees, the gap between academic qualifications and the availability of suitable jobs continues to widen. This study examines how these conditions shape students’ emotional well-being, career confidence, and future aspirations. Many students feel pressured to excel academically, participate in multiple skill-building activities, and continuously upgrade their profiles to stand out in an overcrowded job landscape. Despite these efforts, uncertainties regarding job security, employability, and financial independence create persistent stress, fear of failure, and self-doubt. The research explores key factors contributing to career anxiety, including the mismatch between education and industry demands, unequal access to internships, lack of career guidance, and the increasing preference for work experience over fresh talent. Interviews and surveys highlight how social expectations, peer comparison, and competitive entrance or placement processes intensify psychological burden. Additionally, students from marginalised or economically weaker backgrounds experience higher levels of anxiety due to limited resources and fewer networking opportunities. By analysing students’ voices and lived experiences, this study emphasises the urgent need for educational institutions, policymakers, and employers to collaborate in creating supportive environments that reduce pressure and enhance employability. Strengthening career counselling, improving industry–academia interaction, and promoting mental health awareness can significantly help students navigate career uncertainties. The findings underscore that addressing career anxiety is not only essential for individual well-being but also for building a more confident and productive future workforce.

Rising competition, Limited job opportunity, Students, Career anxiety.

"Impact Of Rising Competition and Limited Job Opportunities On Students’ “Career Anxiety.”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 2, page no.b370-b374, February-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2602148.pdf

"Impact Of Rising Competition and Limited Job Opportunities On Students’ “Career Anxiety.”", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 2, page no. ppb370-b374, February-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2602148.pdf