Giving Wings to India’s Youth: A Vision for Viksit Bharat

General Studies Paper-3

Context

• India possesses a demographic dividend, with over 65% of its population under the age of 35. This latent potential needs to be harnessed and transformed into tangible prosperity.

Role of India’s Youth: From Shram Shakti to Viksit Bharat

• Economic Transformation in the Last Decade: India has cemented its place in the global economic order, rising from the world’s 10th largest economy in 2014 to the 4th largest today.
  • At the core of this progress lies its Shram Shakti (Labour Power), driving growth through resilience and productivity.
• Job Creation and Formalisation: According to RBI-KLEMS (K: Capital, L: Labour, E: Energy, M: Materials and S: Services), while only about 2.9 crore jobs were created between 2004–2014, the following decade saw the creation of over 17 crore jobs.
  • It has been accompanied by a sharp rise in formalisation, as reflected in EPFO data, marking a structural shift in India’s labour market.
• Social Security Revolution: In 2015, just 19% of Indians were under at least one social protection scheme.
  • By 2025, this figure has risen to 64.3% — covering 94 crore beneficiaries.
  • With this, India now hosts the second-largest social security system in the world, a feat acknowledged by the International Labour Organization as one of the fastest expansions globally.
• Demographic Dividend: India stands at a demographic inflection point, with 65% of its population under 35.
  • India’s Yuva Shakti (youth power) provides a unique advantage, unlike ageing economies in the West.

Key Concerns & Challenges Facing India’s Youth

• Education & Skill Gaps:
  • Quality vs. Quantity: While enrollment rates have improved, many institutions struggle with outdated curricula and poor infrastructure.
  • Skill Mismatch: A large number of graduates lack industry-relevant skills, leading to underemployment.
  • Digital Divide: Unequal access to technology hinders learning, especially in rural and marginalized communities.
• Employment & Economic Participation:
  • Unemployment: Youth unemployment remains high, especially among educated urban populations.
  • Informal Sector Dominance: Many young workers are absorbed into low-paying, insecure jobs without benefits.
  • Job Market Absorption: The economy struggles to create enough formal jobs to match the growing youth population.
• Mental Health & Well-being:
  • Stress & Anxiety: Academic pressure, job insecurity, and social expectations contribute to rising mental health issues.
  • Limited Support Systems: Mental health services are scarce and stigmatized, especially in rural areas.
• Civic Engagement & Leadership:
  • Political Apathy: Despite being a large voting bloc, youth participation in governance and policy-making is limited.
  • Lack of Platforms: Few structured avenues exist for young people to express their views or influence decisions.
• Health & Nutrition:
  • Lifestyle Diseases: Sedentary habits and poor diets are leading to early onset of non-communicable diseases.
  • Substance Abuse: Rising addiction rates among youth are a growing concern, especially in urban centers.
• Social Inequality & Marginalization:
  • Gender Disparities: Young women face barriers in education, employment, and safety.
  • Caste & Regional Inequities: Youth from marginalized communities often lack access to opportunities and resources.

Related Government Efforts & Initiatives

• Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY): It was launched in the Union Budget 2024–25. It aims to create 3.5 crore jobs over two years, with an unprecedented ₹1 lakh crore outlay.
• The PMVBRY integrates lessons from Make in India, the National Manufacturing Mission, and Production-Linked Incentives, while adapting to the changing global job landscape shaped by automation and supply-chain shifts.
  • It reflects a shared responsibility of workers and employers in nation-building.
• It ensures transparency and accelerates formalisation, by linking benefits to Direct Benefit Transfer and social security enrolment.
• Special emphasis on the manufacturing sector aligns with national priorities of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) and global manufacturing leadership.
• Dual Focus: Workers and Employers: It reduces entry barriers for workers while mitigating hiring risks for businesses, fostering competitiveness alongside employability.
  • Part A: Direct incentives to first-time employees (up to ₹15,000 in two installments).
  • Part B: Support for employers (up to ₹3,000 per new hire per month).

Other Initiatives & Efforts

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): It offers industry-relevant training to youth to enhance employability and livelihood opportunities.
  • It includes certification and placement support across sectors like IT, manufacturing, and healthcare.
• National Youth Corps (NYC): It builds a cadre of disciplined and motivated youth volunteers to engage in nation-building activities.
  • Volunteers support community development, awareness campaigns, and disaster response efforts.
• Adolescence Education Programme: It aims to equip young people with age-appropriate, culturally relevant knowledge.
  • It focuses on life skills, health awareness, and responsible decision-making.
  • It is delivered through schools and youth organizations to promote holistic development.
• Assistance to National Sports Federations: It supports youth athletes through funding, infrastructure, and training.
  • It encourages participation in national and international competitions.
  • It promotes sports as a career and lifestyle among young Indians.
• Padhna Likhna Abhiyan: A literacy campaign involving youth volunteers from NCC, NSS, and NYKS.
  • Targets adult literacy and basic education in underserved communities.
  • Promotes youth-led social change through education.

Way Forward: Towards Viksit Bharat 2047

• Employment is not just an economic indicator — it is the essence of nation-building.
• Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PMVBRY) is a national commitment to dignity in work and equality of opportunity.
• It lays the foundation for Viksit Bharat by 2047, by enabling every youth to access meaningful employment.