One of the enduring qualities that distinguishes Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership is his consistent willingness to invite suggestions and inputs from citizens, whether through his monthly Mann Ki Baat or on important national occasions. This openness to dialogue is rare among world leaders and is a democratic strength worth commending. As India prepares to celebrate its 79th Independence Day, the Prime Minister has invited citizens to contribute their thoughts and ideas for his speech from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort on August 15. However, such public calls often generate a vast number of suggestions, making it difficult for the Prime Minister and his team to thoroughly examine each one.
Therefore, this author presents a focused two-part proposal aimed at empowering the nation’s youth: lowering the voting age to 16 and introducing mandatory military service. Lowering the voting age would give young people a greater voice in shaping the country’s future. Mandatory military service would build discipline, resilience, and a sense of national duty. Together, these reforms could equip young citizens to face the challenges of the digital age and contribute to building a stronger nation. India has a tradition of re – cognising the maturity of its youth.
The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 through the Constitution (Sixty-first Amendment) Act, 1988, on the grounds that young people were “literate and enlightened” and deserved a say in governance. That same reasoning applies today to 16- and 17-year olds, who are far more informed and politically aware thanks to the Internet and the now-ubiquitous social media, which were not even dreamt of in the 1990s. Granting the right to vote to 16-year-olds offers several compelling benefits. Research shows that individuals who cast their first vote while still in a structured environment, such as school or within their family, are more likely to become lifelong voters.
This early participation lays the foundation for an active and responsible citizenry, fostering a habit of civic engagement that strengthens democracy. Lowering the voting age would also give young people voice on issues that affect them most: climate change, education, employment and technology. At present, they bear the consequences of policy decisions without having any say in them. Austria, Brazil and Argentina have successfully lowered the voting age to 16. The UK is now moving to lower its voting age to 16 for all national elections. This reform would position In – dia as a leader in democratic innovation and youth empowerment in Asia.
India’s 16-17 age group is estimated at about 50 million youngsters, within a total population of about 1.46 billion in 2025. Lowering the voting age would be a powerful statement of faith in our youth, prompting political parties to take their concerns more seriously and nurturing a generation of informed, engaged citizens. To further build a disciplined and resilient young citizenry, India could consider introducing mandatory military service for all youth under 25, ranging from six months to one year.
Such a programme would instil survival skills, deepen patriotism, and strengthen respect for our defence forces. India often sees Israel as a role model in resisting terrorism, an achievement that is not a free gift, but the result of a strong nation built on a strong, well-prepared community. One key factor behind that strength is this universal military service. Israeli men and women must perform mandatory military service of 32 and 24 months, respectively. This reform would help curb crimes against children and women by instilling discipline, empathy, and responsibility in youth. It would also empower and strengthen girls physically and mentally, enabling them to confront and overcome gender discrimination once and for all.
India, with its vast and diverse population, has a unique opportunity to use such a programme not only for defence preparedness but also for national integration.
This would be a powerful tool for social cohesion, bringing together youth from different regions and socio-economic backgrounds to serve a common cause. Such training would provide a structured environment that builds teamwork, responsibility, and national pride, while also imparting essential life skills like leadership, problem-solving and physical endurance, assets valuable in both career and personal life. Further, it would create a large pool of trained citizens who could be mobilised during national emergencies, natural disasters, or other crises, thereby strengthening the country’s resilience.
Countries with conscription for both men and women include Norway, which has a gender-neutral system, and Sweden, which reintroduced conscription in 2017 with a gender neutral, selective model. Some countries have conscription primarily for men. In Brazil, all men at age 18 are required to serve for 10 to 12 months. Finland mandates service for all male citizens for a period of 6 to 12 months. In Greece, mandatory service for men lasts from 9 to 12 months. Russia requires men aged 18 to 27 to serve for 12 months. Switzerland requires all able-bodied men to serve, beginning with an initial training period followed by recurring training. In Taiwan, mandatory military service for men lasts one year. In South Korea, all able bodied men must serve in the military, with service terms of 18 to 21 months.
Many K-pop stars, including members of the famous group BTS, have completed this service. The Constitution, in Article 23, includes a crucial exception, allowing the state to impose “compulsory service for public purposes.” This means that legally, the Indian government has the power to introduce conscription. The creation of a limited, one-year service programme could be a manageable and highly beneficial step. It would be an investment in our youth, building not just a stronger defence, but a stronger nation. Empowering our youth and instilling a sense of national duty are fundamental steps toward securing a prosperous future for all.
These proposals may resonate with the vision of a Viksit Bharat that is strong, democratic, and globally respected as Vish wa Guru. A nation’s true strength lies in the character of its youth. The Amrit Kaal, the transformative era leading up to the 100th Independence Day in 2047, presents the perfect opportunity to realise Swami Vivekananda’s vision of a generation with “muscles of iron and nerves of steel, within which dwells a mind made of the same material as that of the thunderbolt.”
(The writer is a transparency and equality advocate and author. Views expressed are personal)