-          A National Survey Finds Indian Youth Strongly Support Democratic Values but Disengage from Formal Politics

-          Young Indians are Embracing Digital Activism, Social Entrepreneurship, and Issue-Based Civic Engagement over Traditional Politics

18th March, 2025, Delhi: The Centre for Public Insights by Youth Ki Awaaz in collaboration with Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), Synergy Sansthan, and Project Potential, has launched the Voices for Inclusion, Belonging, and Empowerment (VIBE) Report—the first national survey on youth active citizenship in India - supported by the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. The report, based on 4,972 responses collected between June and August 2024, sheds light on how young Indians engage with civic life, their trust in institutions, and emerging forms of participation. The survey was conducted via online recruitment channels, including social media advertisements, email campaigns, and a WhatsApp chatbot. The methodology ensured a broad and representative sample across states, gender, and age groups, providing critical insights into youth civic participation trends in India.

The findings challenge the narrative that young people are disengaged from democracy. Instead, they reveal that while traditional political participation—such as joining political parties—remains low, youth are actively shaping public discourse, engaging in volunteerism, and driving change through digital activism and social entrepreneurship.

Anshul Tewari, Founder of Youth Ki Awaaz and Centre for Public Insights said, “For years, young people in India have been seen as a passive demographic—spoken about, but rarely heard. The VIBE Report challenges this narrative by presenting a first-of-its-kind, data-driven look at how India’s youth engage with society, governance, and identity. The findings reveal that young people are shifting away from traditional political structures and choosing issue-based, digital, and community-driven participation instead. At the same time, structural barriers—from mobility constraints to safety concerns—continue to shape who gets to engage and how. Through Youth Ki Awaaz and the Centre for Public Insights, we’ve long believed that young voices shape the national conversation. VIBE underscores this with data. "

Rohit Kumar, Co-founder, YLAC said, “The VIBE report brings to light a fundamental shift in how young Indians perceive and practice citizenship. While many are moving away from traditional political participation, they are finding innovative ways to engage with social and political issues. The challenge now is to bridge the disconnect between youth aspirations and institutional support, ensuring that young voices are truly heard in decision-making spaces. We hope this report serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, civil society, and institutions to create spaces where young people are not just participants, but decision-makers in shaping India's future.”

Nishant Singh, Senior Research Consultant at Youth Ki Awaaz and author of the Report said, “Active citizenship is about connection, participation, and the expectations young people have from society. Our report examines how they engage politically, socially, and economically, from advocacy and community work to ethical choices. But participation is not just a personal decision. It depends on whether institutions and communities make space for them. Young people are ready to take responsibility, but they also expect fairness, accountability, and belonging. The question is whether society will create meaningful opportunities for their engagement or leave them feeling unheard in a system that does not reflect their voices.”

• National identity remains strong: 81% of young Indians primarily identify as Indian, while 31% prioritize individual identity, signaling a shift toward individual autonomy;
• Digital activism and community engagement: 46% of youth actively participate in NGOs, advocacy groups, or citizen forums, and 27% engage in online activism through public forums;
• Declining trust in traditional politics: 29% avoid political engagement entirely, while 26% participate in political discussions without aligning with any party. Only 11% are formal members of political parties;
  While a significant number of youth participated in the 2024 General Elections, the inability to travel home to vote (43%) was the most cited reason for not voting, followed by a lack of trust in political parties (18%);
• A rising generation of social entrepreneurs: 49% of young Indians want to start a social enterprise, yet lack of funding (58%) and mentorship (39%) are major obstacles;
• Strong civic engagement despite challenges: 73% volunteer occasionally, with many engaging weekly in activities like clean-up drives, petitions, and fundraising for social causes;
• Significant engagement with media and public discourse: A significant majority of young people (60%) follow the news daily, and a substantial proportion (31% very often or daily, 34% occasionally) share their views on social media, indicating active participation in shaping public conversations.

Key recommendations:

The report highlights the need to expand youth-led initiatives and capacity building. With 79% of students actively engaged in school activities, there is a strong foundation for leadership beyond educational settings. The report recommends fostering peer-led initiatives, including awareness campaigns and community projects, supported by a mentorship framework modelled after the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

Institutionalizing student councils is another key recommendation. Partnering with educational institutions to grant councils real decision-making authority, modelled after Ireland’s Comhairle na nÓg, can enhance civic participation. Given the high level of student engagement, empowered councils can be crucial in developing leadership and governance skills.

To sustain civic involvement, the report advocates government programs that engage youth across life stages. An Active Citizenship Passport, similar to Portugal’s Citizen’s Agenda, could track civic milestones such as voting and volunteering. With 73% of young people already volunteering occasionally, and many participating weekly, structured programs can cultivate lifelong engagement.

The report also highlights that youth civic engagement is evolving beyond traditional structures. To capitalize on this development and build trust with existing political structures, the report recommends organizing youth town halls and participatory governance forums in collaboration with local governments, allowing direct dialogue between policymakers and youth.

The report further calls for strategic interventions to boost youth civic engagement in India. Addressing migration-related voting barriers, supporting young social entrepreneurs and integrating civic education more deeply in our school and university curricula can ensure sustained participation in India’s vibrant democracy.