Carriers of Change: Decoding India's Gen-Z, Their Digital Identity, and Nation-Building Role Beyond Stereotypes

Amid debates sparked by recent youth protests at Jantar Mantar, this editorial by Hemant Pathak examines India's Gen-Z population—numbering around 37.5 crore according to UNICEF—and urges a shift away from superficial stereotypes.

Key Highlights:
- Demographics & Influence: Comprising the world's largest youth population, Gen-Z, alongside millennials, will make up nearly half of India's population by the end of the decade, driving future workforce trends, innovation, and electoral politics.
- Digital Natives: Citing a PRICE study, the article notes how Gen-Z relies heavily on social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and AI tools for consumer choices and information, differing vastly from older generations.
- Bridging the Generation Gap: Referencing remarks by RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, the piece emphasizes that youth protests should not be misconstrued as anti-national, but rather as an expression of a generation deeply rooted in cultural identity yet fiercely global in outlook.