Young India Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan organisation making Indian politics more youth-inclusive through helping young candidates contest, generating research, and building political sensitivity. India’s youth, over 670 million people below the age of 25, accounts for an astounding 34% of India’s Gross National Income. Regardless of being a massive economic force, only 2.2% of the lower parliament is under the age of 30. To qualify as an MP (Member of Parliament) or an MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) you must be at least 25, and you must be 30 years old to be nominated for the Rajya Sabha, making it barely possible for any youth to represent the needs of the rising generation. The age to qualify for MP and MLA positions must decrease. Our society has an ageist bias that is preventing the country’s progress by suppressing the voices of the youth. The stark lack of youth representation results in little political priority to serve the needs of the youth. It’s time that India’s youth get the opportunity to create and implement change focused on the development of their generation. It’s time for the change makers to be heard.
