Modi's government ministers will visit universities to engage with Generation Z as part of the 'One Day, One University' plan

During the celebration of India's 80th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a speech from the Red Fort parapet that was entirely focused on the country's youth, students, and researchers, known as 'Gen-Z'. The Prime Minister emphasized that the key to creating an 'Developed India by 2047' lies in the hands of India's youth and students.

Modi unveiled a large-scale plan for the youth, covering education, research, digital connectivity, and global opportunities. He announced several significant initiatives that serve as a kind of 'gift' for Gen-Z.

For students preparing for competitive exams and youth from low-income families, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the creation of a large-scale network of free learning. He stated that the goal is to ensure quality education for all sections of society. Free online preparation and digital resources will be organized for various examinations.

This decision will allow talented students from small towns and villages not to fall behind due to the high cost of paid education. The government is developing a digital and ground network where leading teachers and study materials will be available free of charge for entrance exam preparation.

To transform India from merely a consumer of technology into a 'global innovation hub,' Modi presented a vision for the development of research and R&D. He reported that a fund of one hundred billion rupees has been created to support innovation. It was noted that young people in private startups have shown success by launching prototype satellites, with the average age of these young people being 28 years, and over 250 thousand startups operating in the country.

For Gen-Z dreaming of studying abroad, this was important news. Modi noted that the status of the Indian education system is rising globally. From the Red Fort parapet, he stated that renowned and leading foreign universities are now beginning to open branches in India. This means that Indian students will no longer have to spend huge amounts of money on overseas education; they can obtain an international degree, research infrastructure, and global experience while remaining in India.

The Prime Minister also shared data on revolutionary changes in higher and medical education over the last decade. Narendra Modi reported that 650 new universities have been established in the country over 10–12 years, and the number of seats in medical institutions has increased to approximately 850, compared to about 400 before 2014. Furthermore, Modi highlighted special policies aimed at developing youth skills since 2014.

It was mentioned that the new education policy, introduced after a 35-year hiatus, has moved away from the tradition of rote learning in favor of practical knowledge. It is also noted that accessible internet traffic in India allows Gen-Z to acquire new skills, start startups, and participate in the digital economy while staying at home.

In anticipation of the legislative elections in Uttar Pradesh in 2027, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has begun preparations to engage with Generation Z. The party plans to work actively at the local level to gain the support of young people.

To establish contact with the youth, representatives from the BJP's youth wing and regional teams will conduct direct conversations in schools and colleges. Members of the BJP's youth wing leadership and district teams will interact with young individuals.

According to sources, as part of this campaign, teams of ten young people will be formed for each assembly constituency, who will visit schools and colleges to communicate with the youth. The goal of these discussions is to ascertain the problems, expectations, and opinions of young people, as well as to inform them about government programs implemented by the administration.

In addition to meetings in educational institutions, dialogue events in small groups will be organized as part of the youth outreach campaign. The BJP aims to secure the support of the youth before the elections begin.

Some ministers of the Uttar Pradesh government will also interact with the youth in their respective districts, learning about the issues and expectations of local young people. For instance, Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister Manoj Pandey held a large event in Raebareli, where he listened to the concerns of the youth and awarded students who achieved high results in exams.

Sources report that many ministers will be working in their regions in a similar manner in the near future to connect with youth at the polling station level.

The BJP's strategy for engaging with youth was not arbitrary. Strategists believe that a significant portion of the youth is very active on social media and digital platforms. Therefore, the BJP is organizing such events to attract the attention of young people.

Recently, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat also conducted similar events, conversing with Generation Z in Mumbai. Furthermore, on August 15, he plans to hold a dialogue with students in Nagpur.