Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Background
India lies on the cusp of a demographic transition, similar to the one that fuelled the spectacular rise in GDP of the East Asian Tigers in the second half of the 20th century. However, in order to capture this demographic dividend, it is essential that the economy has the ability to support the increase in the labour force and the youth have the appropriate education, skills, health awareness and other enablers to productively contribute to the economy.
The National Youth Policy, 2014 (NYP-2014) seeks to define the Vision of the Government of India for the Youth of the Country and identify the key areas in which action is required, where not enough is being done, to enable youth development and to provide a framework for action for all stakeholders.
Definition of youth under the Policy
The youth age-group is defined as 15-29 years
Vision and objectives:
NYP-2014 provides a holistic Vision for the youth of India which is “to empower the youth of the country to achieve their full potential, and through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations”. In order to achieve this Vision, all stakeholders must work towards meeting 5 key objectives. This requires specific action in one or more of 11 priority areas, identified as important for youth development. The following Exhibit summarises the Vision, the objectives and the priority areas of NYP-2014. It also lists the enablers available to achieve these objectives.
Demographic profile of India and other countries
The Policy seeks to recommend specific future policy interventions required in each of the 11 priority areas. These are summarised in the following table:
| Objectives | Priority | Future Imperatives |
| Create a productive workforce that can make a sustainable contribution to India’s economic development |
| 1.1 Build system c apacity and quality 1.2Promote skill development and lifelong learning 2.1 Targeted youth outreach and awareness 2.2 Build linkages across systems and stakeholders 2.3 Define role of government vis-a-vis other stakeholders 3.1Targeted youth outreach programmes 3.2 Scale-up effective programmes to build capacity 3.3 Create customised programmes for youth entrepreneurs 4.3 Implement widespread monitoring & evaluation systems |
| Develop a strong and healthy generation equipped to take on future challenges |
| 1.1 Improve service delivery 1.2 Awareness about health, nutrition and preventive care 1.3 Targeted disease control programmes for youth 2.1 Increase access to sports facilities and training 2.2 Promotion of sports culture among youth 2.3 Support and development for talented sports persons |
| Instil social values and promote community service to build national ownership |
| 1.1 Formalise values education system 1.2 Strengthen engagement programmes for youth 1.3 Support NGOs and for-profit organisations working towards spreading values and harmony 2.1 Leverage existing community development organisations 2.2 Promote social entrepreneurship |
| Facilitate participation and civic engagement at all levels of governance |
| 1.1 Engage youth outside of the political system 1.2 Create governance mechanisms that youth can leverage 1.3 Promote youth engagement in urban governance 2.1 Measure and monitor effectiveness of youth development schemes 2.2 Create a platform for engagement with youth |
| Support youth at risk and create equitable opportunity for all disadvantaged & marginalised youth |
| 1.1 Enablement & capability building for disadvantaged youth 1.2 Ensuring economic opportunities for youth in conflict affected regions 1.3 Develop a multi-pronged approach to supporting youth with disability 1.4 Create awareness and opportunities to prevent youth being put at risk 2.1 Leveraging youth to eliminate unjust social practices 2.2 Strengthen access to justice at all levels |
