Delhi event debates whether India is tapping youth potential amid governance and jobs concerns

A youth-focused discussion in the capital on Sunday brought students, entrepreneurs and policymakers together to debate whether India is effectively harnessing its demographic advantage or confronting a youth crisis, with speakers highlighting the need for greater civic participation, entrepreneurship and stronger links between young people and public policy.

The event, Youth for Governance – Unplugged, was held at St. Mark’s School, Janakpuri, and centred on the theme, “Is India Harnessing Its Youth Potential or Facing a Youth Crisis?”

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Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, who attended as chief guest, argued that India’s demographic dividend could only be realised if young people played a more active role in governance and community life. He said nation-building was not limited to governments and legislatures, but also depended on everyday civic responsibility, urging citizens to move beyond the belief that development was solely the state’s responsibility.

Sood said platforms connecting young people with policymaking could help channel their aspirations into public leadership and civic engagement. He also described entrepreneurship as an important driver of employment generation and innovation.

The discussion also featured Akash Gupta, co-founder and chief executive of electric mobility startup Zypp Electric, and Yash Kalra, founder of GOAT Life, who shared their experiences of building businesses and navigating challenges in the startup ecosystem.

Gupta said startups should focus on solving real-world problems rather than pursuing high valuations alone, arguing that enterprises creating jobs and addressing public challenges could contribute to broader economic development.

Kalra encouraged participants to prioritise long-term value creation over quick success, saying sustainable businesses emerge from identifying genuine societal needs and addressing them consistently.

The programme concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session in which students raised issues related to governance, education, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship and public policy.

The Youth for Governance initiative, launched in December 2025, seeks to encourage greater youth participation in governance and public leadership through discussions and outreach programmes.