Why in the News?
Recently, at Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026, New Delhi, PM underscored the critical role of youth leadership in achieving Viksit Bharat @2047.
More on the News
- VBYLD, where PM interacted with youth leaders, enables direct youth participation in India's developmental agenda.
- It coincided with National Youth Day (12 January), the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Role of youth in nation-building
- Economic Growth
- Demographic dividend: India's favourable age structure gives it a growth edge over countries facing demographic winter like Japan and Italy.
- E.g., India has the largest youth population with 50% under 25 years of age and 65% under 35.
- Drivers of Innovation: Youth are at the heart of the start-up revolution, making India the world's third-largest start-up hub and a global leader in emerging technologies
- E.g., Youth led Space start-ups Skyroot or Agnikul Cosmos.
- Orange Economy: Contributes US$ 11 billion in exports and 8% in employment is increasingly being driven by India's creative industry.
- Sindhuja Rajamaran youngest CEO in the world running an animation company and achieving a Guinness World Record.
- Scientific and Technological Prowess: Young scientists are driving successes in space exploration, defence, and emerging technologies like AI.
- E.g., Dr Satendra K Mangrauthia won Vigyan Yuva Award for Kamala, India's first genetically edited rice varieties.
- Social Change Agents: Youth lead Jan Bhagidari campaigns such as Swachh Bharat and environmental advocacy movements like Mission Life.
- Strengthening democracy: Youth participation—voting, political engagement, youth advisory councils and civic awareness movements reinforces democratic values.
- Arya Rajendran ( India's youngest Mayor at 21 in Thiruvananthapuram) or Chhavi Rajawat (MBA graduate who quit her corporate job to become the Sarpanch of Soda village, Rajasthan, bringing water and solar power to her community.
Initiatives for youth
- National Youth Policy (NYP): Draft NYP 2025 outlines a ten-year vision focused on education, leadership, and social justice.
- Skill India Mission & PM Kaushal Vikas Yojna: Flagship programs to train Indians in industry-relevant skills.
- YUVAi (Youth for Unnati with AI): MeitY's YUVAi, launched with the National e-Governance Division (NeGD), empowers Classes 8-12 students to design practical AI solutions across eight thematic sectors.
- Startup India: Under DPIIT, ministry of commerce provides mentorship, incubation, and collateral-free loans to foster entrepreneurship.
- Model Youth Gram Sabha: Strengthens youth understanding of the Panchayati Raj System by simulating real gram sabha processes.
- Agnipath Scheme: Recruiting "Agniveers" to provide them with technical skills and discipline.
- Health and Wellness: Initiatives like Fit India, Kashi Declaration (drug-free campaign) focus on holistic well-being.
- PM SETU Programme: Under this, thousands of Industrial Training Institutes will be upgraded so that youth can be trained in line with the current and future needs of industry".
Ways to leverage youth energy for national building
- Education Reform: Aligning academic training with real-world demands and integrating vocational training from early stages as envisioned in NEP 2020.
- Continuous Upskilling: Investing in AI, robotics, and green energy skills to ensure the workforce remains adaptable to automation.
- Inclusive Growth: Incentivizing female workforce participation and expanding skill centers to rural and Tier-2/3 cities.
- Strengthening Civic Engagement: Creating formal platforms and training programs to move youth from apathy to active participation in governance.
