Context
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- Gen Z is often described as politically disengaged, more focused on individual aspirations, social media and immediate concerns than organised politics. However, recent NEET-UG protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar challenged this assumption, with thousands of young students mobilising over examination irregularities. The larger question is not whether Gen Z is “apolitical”, but whether it has institutional spaces through which political consciousness can be expressed.
Why is Gen Z Seen as Apolitical?
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- Since the 1990s, politics has increasingly been accompanied by individualisation and consumerism.
- Problems such as:
- Unemployment
- Housing
- Education
- Economic insecurity
- are often viewed as individual failures rather than collective political issues.
- Social media has also encouraged short attention cycles and issue-based mobilisation.
- As a result, young people may participate intensely in a particular issue but avoid formal political institutions such as political parties and student unions.
Key Insight
Political disengagement does not necessarily mean political indifference.
Gen Z may reject conventional politics while still being highly responsive to issues that directly affect their lives.
Jantar Mantar Protests: A Rebuttal to the “Apolitical Gen Z” Narrative
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- The 2026 NEET-UG protests demonstrated that young people can mobilise rapidly when an issue directly affects their future.
- The mobilisation was notable for its:
- Large youth participation
- Digital coordination
- Peer-to-peer communication
- Issue-based rather than party-based character
- This suggests that Gen Z may prefer horizontal and decentralised mobilisation over traditional hierarchical political organisations.
Analytical Point
Traditional politics:
Party → Leader → Organisation → Voter
Emerging youth politics:
Issue → Social Media → Network → Collective Action
This does not necessarily indicate political apathy; it may represent a change in the form of political participation.
The Decline of Campus Politics
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- The weakening of student unions and campus democracy as an important factor.
- Several States have restricted or discontinued regular student-union elections, while Kerala remains a prominent exception with regular student-union elections.
- The Supreme Court-appointed Lyngdoh Committee had recommended guidelines for transparent and democratic student-union elections, including limits on expenditure, eligibility and electoral practices.
Why are Student Unions Important?
They can act as a training ground for democracy, teaching students:
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- Debate
- Negotiation
- Leadership
- Collective bargaining
- Representation
- Accountability
- Conflict resolution
Therefore:
Campus democracy can become a laboratory for constitutional democracy.
But Is Student Politics Always Positive?
A balanced analysis is important.
Problems associated with politicised campuses
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- Violence and disruption
- External political interference
- Academic disturbances
- Use of money and muscle power
- Party-based polarisation
Therefore, simply restoring student elections is not sufficient.
The objective should be:
Democratic student politics, not partisan capture of campuses.
Why Campus Democracy Matters
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- Education is not merely about producing employable individuals.
- Universities are also institutions for creating responsible citizens.
- A campus where students cannot debate public issues may produce technically skilled individuals but provide fewer opportunities to develop:
- Democratic reasoning
- Constitutional values
- Public accountability
- Collective responsibility
This connects with the constitutional vision of participatory democracy.
Gen Z and New Forms of Political Participation
Gen Z’s political participation may increasingly occur through:
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- Online campaigns
- Digital petitions
- Issue-based protests
- Social-media activism
- Crowdfunding
- Citizen journalism
- Decentralised networks
This has both advantages and risks.
Advantages
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- Rapid mobilisation
- Low entry barriers
- Greater visibility
- Direct participation
Risks
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- Misinformation
- Echo chambers
- Emotional polarisation
- Short-lived mobilisation
- Personality-centric politics
Thus, digital participation needs institutional and constitutional literacy.
The Deeper Issue: Depoliticisation
Gen Z’s apparent apathy may be a consequence of institutional weakening rather than an inherent characteristic of the generation.
If young people lack:
Student Unions + Campus Debates + Collective Platforms
their political participation may shift towards:
Influencers + Personality Cults + Viral Campaigns + Spontaneous Protests
This can make political engagement more emotion-driven and personality-centric rather than policy-oriented.
Way Forward
1. Restore Campus Democracy
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- Encourage regular, transparent and peaceful student-union elections.
- Implement democratic norms consistent with Lyngdoh Committee guidelines.
2. Prevent Political Capture
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- Student politics should not become a proxy battlefield for external political parties.
- Strict rules against violence, excessive expenditure and criminalisation are essential.
3. Promote Constitutional Literacy
Students should understand:
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- Fundamental Rights
- Duties
- Democracy
- Federalism
- Rule of Law
- Institutional accountability
4. Encourage Issue-Based Participation
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- Universities should provide structured platforms for debates, consultations and public policy discussions.
5. Use Digital Platforms Responsibly
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- Digital activism should be supplemented by fact-checking, deliberation and institutional engagement.
Conclusion
Gen Z should not be simply labelled “apolitical”. The NEET-UG protests demonstrate that young citizens can mobilise strongly when an issue directly affects their education, employment and future. The real challenge is to convert spontaneous mobilisation into sustained, informed and institutional democratic participation. Strengthening student unions, campus deliberation and constitutional literacy can help transform young citizens from mere participants in protests into active stakeholders in Indian democracy.
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