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2 September 2026

Gen Z political engagement

The topic provides sociological context on youth political participation and the role of student unions in democracy, which can be used as analytical fodder for GS2 questions on civil society and democratic engagement.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • Gen Z is often perceived as apolitical, a trend linked to the rise of neoliberal capitalism since the 1990s.
  • Depoliticisation is structurally engineered by treating citizens as consumers and promoting individualism, which frames systemic issues like unemployment as personal failures.
  • The 'culture of nano impulsiveness' under neoliberalism shortens attention spans, making youth susceptible to personality-driven politics and social media-manufactured consent.
  • Student unions are identified as critical institutional spaces for democratic engagement and political literacy.
  • Many states have banned or restricted student union elections, limiting the development of collective democratic deliberation.
  • The 2026 Jantar Mantar protests against examination irregularities demonstrated that Gen Z is capable of large-scale, tech-savvy, and sustained political mobilisation.
  • Effective student participation in campus democracy is argued to be essential for transitioning from an identity-based consciousness to one focused on democratic demands like education and employment.

Questions

  1. Discuss the role of student unions in fostering democratic citizenship and political literacy within the framework of the Indian Constitution. 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Examine the impact of neoliberal economic policies on the political engagement of the youth in India. How can institutional mechanisms be strengthened to ensure meaningful democratic participation among the younger generation? 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following is identified as a primary structural factor contributing to the depoliticisation of youth in contemporary society?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-09-02/gen-z-political-engagement