Secondary education is, perhaps, the most important part of an individual’s education as it is during these years that a student decides what she is going to take up for further education. The present report examines the secondary and higher secondary education system in India and discusses how it prepares the student for the world of work. It focuses on the vocational training that is imparted during the four years of secondary (and higher secondary) education. A description of the current state of vocational education at secondary level, different institutes/government agencies offering vocational courses, curriculum followed by different agencies, teaching methodology used, assessment methodology and certification pattern is provided. In-depth analysis of the problems faced and recommendations for the future are presented.