What’s the news?

• India, with 66 percent of its population below the age of 35, possesses the world’s largest youth population. The National Youth Policy (NYP) aims to provide a comprehensive framework and vision for the development and empowerment of young people, recognizing them as a critical national demographic.

Central idea

• As other countries grapple with ageing populations, India’s future growth trajectory depends on how it nurtures and invests in its youth. To address this, the Government of India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports drafted the NYP 2021, envisioning a 10-year vision for youth development by 2030.

Historical evolution of the National Youth Policy

1. NYP 1988: The first NYP was drafted in 1988, aimed at addressing youth development issues, but specific details were not provided.
2. NYP 2003: The NYP was updated in 2003, emphasizing patriotism, morality-oriented values, and gender justice. However, it lacked specific action plans.
3. NYP 2014: The policy was revised in 2014 with a more focused approach, defining the youth age group as 15-29. It identified objectives and priority action areas but faced criticism for lack of detailed plans.
4. NYP 2021: The most recent version, drafted in 2021, takes a holistic approach and aligns with the UN SDGs. It covers diverse aspects, but challenges in implementation were noted.

Significance of the NYP

• Youth Empowerment: The NYP recognizes the youth as a critical demographic and aims to empower them to actively participate in shaping the nation’s future. By focusing on their development, the policy harnesses the potential of the youth as a dynamic and vibrant force.
• Vision for Future Growth: Each iteration of the NYP builds upon the previous one, adapting to changing times and needs. The policy’s forward-looking approach helps India prepare its youth for the future, enabling them to contribute to the nation’s growth and development.
• Alignment with Global Goals: The NYP 2021 aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reflecting India’s commitment to international development agendas.
• Holistic Development: The NYP 2021 takes a holistic approach, covering various aspects of youth development, such as education, health, skill development, and social welfare. This comprehensive approach ensures that the youth receive well-rounded support and opportunities
• Fostering Inclusivity: The policy recognizes the diverse backgrounds and challenges faced by the youth, including socially and economically disadvantaged sections. By focusing on inclusivity, the NYP strives to provide equal opportunities for all young individuals.
• Policy Evolution: With each iteration, the NYP evolves to address emerging issues and incorporate feedback from previous policies. This continuous improvement ensures that the government’s youth-related initiatives remain relevant and effective.
• Social Cohesion: By promoting values of unity, integrity, and respect for diverse faiths and cultures, the NYP fosters social cohesion among the youth. This contributes to a harmonious and cohesive society

Challenges to NYP 2021

• Reintegration of NEET Youth: The policy rightly focuses on reintegrating NEET youth (not in education, employment, or training). However, it lacks specific timelines or schemes to generate equal job opportunities, especially considering India’s high unemployment rate.
• Disparity in Access to Opportunities: The assumption of equal access to education, skilling, and employment for all youth overlooks the significant diversity within India’s young population. Many socially and economically disadvantaged youth face enormous challenges in accessing sustainable livelihoods.
• Structural Barriers in Education: While the policy addresses symptoms like dropouts, it fails to address inherent structural barriers within the education system, such as economic migration, discrimination, and early marriages.
• Complex Implementation: The policy assumes an ideal scenario with seamless coordination between various ministries, government departments, and non-state stakeholders. However, implementing such a wide-ranging policy will require overcoming significant challenges.

Way Forward

• Clear Implementation Roadmap: Develop a detailed and transparent implementation plan with specific timelines and responsibilities assigned to various stakeholders. This plan should address the key objectives and action areas of NYP 2021, ensuring effective execution.
• Reintegrating NEET Youth: Focus on generating equal job opportunities for NEET youth by collaborating with the private sector and creating employment avenues through government programs.
• Inclusivity and Access: Design targeted interventions to address the challenges faced by socially and economically disadvantaged youth. Ensure equitable access to education, skilling, and employment opportunities, empowering all sections of the youth population.
• Tackling Structural Barriers: Implement measures to address underlying issues in the education system that contribute to dropouts. Invest in infrastructure and resources to provide quality education and support students from vulnerable backgrounds.
• Digital Connectivity and Education: Bridge the digital divide by improving internet access and technology infrastructure, especially in rural and remote areas. Leverage technology for innovative educational delivery to reach youth unable to attend traditional schooling.
• Strengthen Coordination: Establish robust coordination mechanisms among various ministries, government departments, and non-state stakeholders. Collaborate with NGOs, youth organizations, and the private sector to enhance the impact of NYP 2021.
• Financial Allocation: Ensure adequate and sustainable funding for youth-centric programs and initiatives. Explore innovative financing models and partnerships to secure necessary resources for effective implementation.

Conclusion

• NYP 2021 presents a promising vision for empowering India’s youth and propelling the nation’s growth in the 21st century. Overlooking the existing challenges could hinder the policy’s potential impact on India’s Amrit Peedhi (youth) during the Amrit Kaal (critical era). To ensure a bright future for the nation, India must prioritize the effective execution of NYP 2021 and invest in the holistic development of its youth population.

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