Love for India, but not much for its politicians? VIBE survey's findings about youth

At least eighty-one per cent of young Indians assert their national identity while 31 per cent prioritise individual identity, a latest survey has revealed . The survey said the most cited reason for not voting was the inability to travel home to vote (43 per cent), followed by a lack of trust in political parties (18 per cent), in last year's Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The survey was conducted by Youth Ki Awaaz , in collaboration with Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC), Synergy Sansthan, and Project Potential.

The findings of the report launched on March 18 is called the 'Voices for Inclusion, Belonging, and Empowerment (VIBE) Report'—the first national survey on youth active citizenship in India is supported by the Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies. Here are some of the key findings of the VIBE report: Based on 4,972 responses gathered between June and August 2024, the report sheds light on how young Indians engage with civic life, their trust in institutions, and emerging forms of participation, according to a statement. “For years, young people in India have been seen as a passive demographic—spoken about, but rarely heard.



The VIBE Report challenges this narrative by presenting a first-of-its-kind, data-driven look at how India’s youth engage with society, governance, and identity. The findings reveal that young people are shifting away from traditional political structures and choosing issue-based, digital, and community-driven participation instead," said Anshul Tewari, founder of Youth Ki Awaaz and Centre for Public Insights said. Disconnect between youth aspirations and institutional support The survey was conducted via online recruitment channels, including social media advertisements, email campaigns, and a WhatsApp chatbot.

participation trends in India. “The VIBE report brings to light a fundamental shift in how young Indians perceive and practice citizenship. While many are moving away from traditional political participation, they are finding innovative ways to engage with social and political issues," Rohit Kumar, Co-founder, YLAC said.

"The challenge now is to bridge the disconnect between youth aspirations and institutional support, ensuring that young voices are truly heard in decision-making spaces. We hope this report serves as a crucial resource for policymakers, civil society, and institutions to create spaces where young people are not just participants, but decision-makers in shaping India's future,” he said..