Empowering Youth for a Developed India: Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue

Data on youth in India:

India has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with over 600 million people under the age of 25, representing about 50% of the country’s total population. This demographic presents a unique opportunity for the nation’s growth and development. The youth of India are highly diverse, spread across urban and rural areas, with different levels of access to education, skills, and employment opportunities.
Key Statistics:
1. Population: In 2011, the youth population in India was 333.4 million, which was a 77 million increase from the previous census. The youth population is expected to decrease from 371.4 million in 2021 to 345.5 million by 2036.
2. Education: The unemployment rate is higher for those with higher levels of education. In 2022, the unemployment rate was 18.4% for those with secondary education or higher and 29.1% for graduates.
3. Employment: In 2022-23, 42.1% of India’s youth (15-29 years old) were part of the labour force. The share was 61.6% for young men and 19.7% for young women. 
4. Skill level: According to the Global Business Coalition for Education (GBC-Education), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the Education Commission, more than 50% of Indian youth are not on track to have the education and skills necessary for employment by 2030. 
5. Gender: In 2011, 52.7% of adolescents were male, and 47.3% were female.

Government initiatives to empower youth:

1. Skill India Mission: Launched in 2015, this initiative focuses on providing youth with skill development opportunities across various sectors to make them more employable. It includes schemes like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) to provide training and certification in various skills.
2. Startup India: This initiative promotes entrepreneurship among the youth by offering financial support and mentorship and reducing regulatory burdens for startups, making it easier for young entrepreneurs to establish businesses.
3. Digital India: Aimed at increasing digital literacy and access to technology, this initiative ensures that youth across India, including in rural areas, have access to digital tools, broadband connectivity, and online educational resources.
4. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): This mission promotes a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in young minds by supporting innovation hubs, startup incubation, and fostering partnerships between institutions and industries.
5. National Youth Policy (NYP): The NYP lays out a roadmap for youth development in India, focusing on education, employment, health, and leadership, while promoting the active participation of youth in national development.
6. Yuva Sarkar: Yuva Sarkar aims to involve 1 million youth leaders in policy-making by 2025, fostering youth participation in governance and leadership roles.
7. Internships: Government schemes like the National Internship Scheme and PM Modi’s Internship Scheme offer thousands of opportunities annually. Over 50,000 internships are provided each year in government sectors and private organizations, promoting skill development and employability.
8. Skill Development (PMKVY): Under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), over 13 million youth have been trained since 2015, with 2.8 million placements recorded by 2023. The scheme aims to train 10 million youth by 2025.
9. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The NEP 2020 aims to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education to 50% by 2035. It also targets 50% of school students to receive vocational training by 2025, promoting skills alongside academic education. Additionally, 100 million learners are expected to benefit from digital learning platforms by 2024.

Issues that need to be addressed:

1. Unemployment and Underemployment: A significant number of youth, especially graduates, face difficulties in finding quality employment due to skill mismatches and limited job opportunities in key sectors.
2. Educational Gaps: While enrollment in schools has improved, the quality of education remains a concern, particularly in rural areas. Many young people lack practical skills that meet the demands of the modern job market.
3. Mental Health Challenges: The mental health of youth in India is often overlooked, with rising concerns about stress, anxiety, and depression, exacerbated by societal pressures and the uncertainties of the future.
4. Gender Inequality: Despite progress, women and girls in India still face barriers to education, employment, and leadership roles, limiting their ability to contribute equally to national development.
5. Digital Divide: Access to the internet, technology, and digital resources is still a major issue for rural and economically disadvantaged youth, hindering their opportunities for learning and innovation.
6. Social and Cultural Challenges: Issues like caste-based discrimination, rural-urban divide, and lack of social inclusion limit opportunities for many young people in India, preventing them from realizing their full potential.
7. Skill gap: The skill gap is a major issue, with a mismatch between educational outcomes and industry needs, leaving many youth unemployable. Practical training and soft skills like communication and problem-solving are often lacking, further limiting job readiness.
8. Rural-Urban Divide: The rural-urban divide exacerbates disparities, with rural areas lacking infrastructure, education, and job opportunities, driving youth migration to cities. Limited digital access in rural regions also prevents youth from benefiting from online learning and skill development programs.

Solutions to address these Issues:

1. Skill Development and Vocational Training:
Expand skill development programs to align with industry needs and provide hands-on training in high-demand sectors such as technology, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Increase partnerships between educational institutions, industry players, and government bodies to ensure that students are equipped with relevant skills.
2. Improvement of Educational Quality:
Implement reforms to ensure that education systems focus on critical thinking, creativity, and practical skills, not just rote learning.
Increase investment in rural and underserved areas to improve infrastructure and access to quality teachers.
3. Promotion of Mental Health Awareness:
Launch nationwide awareness campaigns to destigmatize mental health issues and provide youth with access to counselling and support services.
Integrate mental health programs into schools and universities to offer proactive support for students.
4. Gender Equality Initiatives:
Strengthen policies to promote gender equality in education, employment, and leadership positions.
Create safe and inclusive spaces for women and girls, ensuring equal access to opportunities in all sectors.
5. Bridging the Digital Divide:
Improve internet connectivity in rural and remote areas and provide subsidized access to digital devices and tools for education.
Promote digital literacy programs that ensure youth from disadvantaged backgrounds can effectively participate in the digital economy.
6. Youth Leadership and Social Inclusion:
Provide platforms like the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue for youth to engage in policy discussions, community projects, and leadership development.
Encourage youth-led organizations and grassroots movements that advocate for social change and inclusion.
7. Gender Budget: Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB) should prioritize women’s empowerment in sectors like healthcare and education. Funding should focus on women’s economic opportunities, childcare, and social programs. Gender-disaggregated data is essential for tracking policy impact. Involving women in budget planning and raising awareness ensures inclusive policymaking.