Amid criticism that it has alienated young people and in the wake of recent student protests across the country, especially the NEET agitation in New Delhi, the Centre is planning a major outreach programme aimed at directly engaging with Gen Z across the country.
Under the proposed 'One Day, One University' initiative, the government plans to send a Union minister to a university every day to interact with students, hear their concerns and understand their views on issues facing the country.
The initiative comes following student protests over the NEET paper leak at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and other parts of the country. The government has been facing criticism over its handling of youth-related issues, while the Opposition has accused it of having "devastated the future of the youth" over the past 12 years.
The outreach appears aimed at establishing a more direct channel of communication between the government and young people.
Sources told news agency PTI that under the programme, a Union minister will visit an assigned university and interact directly with students. The ministers will listen to their opinions on different issues and will also inform them about government welfare schemes, particularly those aimed at students and young people.
Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have reportedly been tasked with coordinating with universities and Union ministers for the visits.
The proposed initiative also came up for discussion at a meeting of the Union cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, sources have been cited as saying.
The scale of the outreach could be significant. According to the University Grants Commission, India has around 1,300 universities, including 57 central universities and 522 state universities. The remaining institutions include deemed-to-be and private universities.
PM Modi has also personally sought to reach out to students through social media on several occasions. The focus on young people was also visible in his Independence Day address, during which Modi announced several youth-centric initiatives.
These included free online coaching, an artificial intelligence skilling programme, a sports talent hunt and an expansion of the civil defence network. Modi also highlighted opportunities for young Indians in sectors including manufacturing, space, nuclear energy and semiconductors.
