This Short Introduction aims to offer a clear analysis of the state of employment in India. In a simple and concise manner, it narrates the past trends, current issues, and future possibilities of employment. Beginning with employment conditions at the start of India's planned development and mapping its evolution, it highlights how this evolution has been linked to growth strategies, demographic change, and institutional developments. Defining basic concepts, such as employment, unemployment, labour force and labour participation, it also touches on theories of employment, its broad features, and issues relating to its analysis and policy, providing empirical data wherever essential.