Recent state assembly elections in Keralam, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and the Union Territory of Puducherry highlighted a key question for UPSC aspirants – how the Gen Z engages with politics. While many view them as apolitical, the summer of 2026 showed a different picture, especially through student‑led actions.
Key Developments (2026)
- Mass protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar over alleged irregularities in the NEET‑UG attracted thousands of young demonstrators.
- Students circumvented government‑imposed mobile internet shutdowns using Bluetooth mesh networks.
- A mobile library was set up on the protest site, and millennials marched alongside Gen Z, blurring generational divides.
- Keralam continued regular student union elections, unlike most BJP‑ruled states that have banned such polls.
Important Facts
The article links the perceived apathy of Gen Z to a broader process of depoliticisation, driven by neo‑liberal capitalism. This trend treats unemployment, housing and other crises as personal failures, fostering a culture of “nano‑impulsiveness” where short‑term, personality‑driven politics dominate.
States such as West Bengal (ban on student elections a decade ago) and Tamil Nadu (ban decades earlier) illustrate how political parties, many of which originated from student movements, have curtailed campus democracy. In contrast, Keralam’s regular elections have produced politically literate youth capable of sustained democratic engagement.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the dynamics of youth political participation is vital for GS2 (Polity) and GS4 (Ethics). The case demonstrates how institutional spaces like student unions can counteract the effects of depoliticisation. It also shows the role of technology (e.g., Bluetooth mesh networks) in modern protest movements, a point of interest for GS3 (Technology & Economy).
Way Forward
- Re‑introduce and protect student union elections across all states to nurture democratic habits.
- Encourage civic education that links personal concerns (employment, education) with collective political action.
- Leverage decentralized communication tools to safeguard the right to peaceful assembly, especially during internet shutdowns.
- Monitor and counter the narrative of “nano‑impulsiveness” by promoting issue‑based, programmatic politics rather than personality‑driven campaigns.
In sum, the 2026 Jantar Mantar protests reveal that Gen Z is not apathetic; it awaits institutional avenues—like robust campus democracy—to channel its energy into the larger democratic process.