India, home to the world’s largest youth population—with over 365 million individuals aged 15 to 29—continues to face a significant gap in youth representation in governance and policymaking. In response to this pressing challenge, the Youth for Governance (Y4G) Fellowship 2025 was officially inaugurated on April 29, 2025, at the GRAAM campus in Mysuru. Organised by GRAAM (Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement) in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), the Y4G Fellowship aims to cultivate a generation of socially conscious and governance-aware youth leaders.

Addressing a Critical Need

Despite steady progress in youth development—as indicated by an 8% improvement in India’s overall score on the Commonwealth Youth Development Index (YDI) since 2010—youth engagement in political and civic life remains disproportionately low. The Political and Civic Participation domain has witnessed a modest global rise of only 5.8% over 12 years.

Key data points underline the urgency of the initiative:

• Less than 1.5% of Lok Sabha MPs are under the age of 30.
• Over 60% of urban youth in India have never participated in civic activities such as public consultations or local governance forums (Lokniti-CSDS, 2022).
• According to UNDP, more than 50% of Indian youth feel their opinions are not reflected in public policymaking processes.

These statistics highlight the vital importance of programs like Y4G in bridging the gap between youth and governance.

A Thoughtful and Impactful Beginning

The inaugural orientation session brought together a cohort of 27 fellows from diverse academic and socio-economic backgrounds. The event set the tone for the months ahead by combining thought leadership with practical insights.

Key highlights included:

• Sri Yoginath Singh, Senior Faculty (Retd.), SIRD and former Master Trainer from the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India, delivered a compelling keynote address on the potential of youth-led innovation in governance.
• Dr. Venkatesh, Health Officer at Mysuru City Corporation, encouraged fellows to adopt a solution-oriented mindset and actively participate in addressing local civic challenges.
• Dr. Basavaraju R, Executive Director of GRAAM, conducted a detailed session titled “Understanding Development, Democracy, and Governance”, urging participants to adopt a rights-based and empowerment-centric approach to societal change.
• Ms. Usha Subramanian, Deputy Resident Representative – India, from HSF, shared insights into HSF’s global and national work in governance and civic engagement. She reiterated HSF’s commitment to nurturing participatory democracy in India.
• Mr. Rahul Khera appreciated the fellowship model and congratulated the selected fellows on beginning their leadership journey with GRAAM and HSF.

Academic and Institutional Support

The orientation was further enriched by the presence of distinguished academicians, including:

• Dr. Bindu Thomas (Vidya Vikas Institute of Engineering & Technology)
• Prof. Shivakumar (Mahajanas Degree College)
• Prof. Tejaswini (School of Law, University of Mysore)
• Dr. Sreena T.V (School of Public Health, JSSAHER)

Their presence added academic depth and institutional support, reinforcing the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the fellowship.

Program Structure and Vision

The fellowship vision, structure, and intended outcomes were shared in detail by Mr. Bhagavan Bidarakote, Fellowship Lead, and Mr. Pavan M Bommanahalli, Fellowship Coordinator. They highlighted the importance of fieldwork, digital collaboration, research exposure, and mentorship as core elements of the program. Fellows were encouraged to view the fellowship as a platform for practical learning and community impact.

The orientation session succeeded in creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm, reflection, and determination—setting the foundation for a transformative year ahead.

More Than a Fellowship—A Youth Movement

The Y4G Fellowship 2025 is not merely a training program; it is a movement that aspires to reshape the relationship between youth and governance in India. By providing structured mentorship, real-world exposure, and a space for civic innovation, the fellowship aims to prepare its participants to become agents of democratic change.

As India continues to evolve as a global democratic leader, the inclusion of young voices in governance is not just desirable—it is essential. The Youth for Governance Fellowship stands as a crucial initiative in ensuring that India’s youth are not just passive observers, but active co-creators of its democratic future.