Abstract

The present study highlights the problem of youth migration and brain drain in Punjab. The objectives of the study are to find the major push and pull factors which motivates youth of Punjab to migrate resulting in Brain drain and to ascertain the major strategies which can create local opportunities in Punjab which will retain talent in Punjab. The research is based on secondary data collected from various sources like academic journals; Reports from Ministry of External Affairs; Press Release of Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Report from Council of Energy, Environment and Water; Punjab Startup Policy 2025; Newspapers report by The Tribune; and Invest Punjab (Business First Web Portal). The study found Cultural trend of settling abroad, Weak education system, Under developed Industrial sector, Agricultural crisis, High rate of drug abuse as the major Push factors behind migration of Youth from Punjab. On the other hand, High pay scale or wage rate, Improved lifestyle, Freedom and independence, Safety, Family abroad are found to be the key Pull factors behind mass migration. The study reported that if some strategies like Establishment of Farmer Producer Companies (FPC’s), Bypassing Mandis, Digitalisation of agriculture sector, Promoting establishment of kiosk at village level , Adoption of innovation in agri-business, Setting up of Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) battery manufacturing units,  Setting up AI and Robotics Centre  of Excellence (CoEs), Promoting agri-tourism and experiential Homestays and Setting up Digital Freelancing Hubs get implemented with due care and seriousness by the government, it will surely address the problem of youth migration in Punjab by retaining talent in Punjab itself.