7 In 10 Young Indians Surveyed Expect Greater Global South Leadership In The Coming Decade

31 October 2025, New Delhi: The inaugural cohort of Next Generation India Fellows today launched a new report that charts a course for India’s 100th year of independence. Our Future India outlines a youth-powered roadmap to deliver on Viksit Bharat 2047 by tapping into the five megatrends that are transforming the world: climate change, artificial intelligence, rapid urban growth, demographic shifts, and geopolitics. According to the report, 72 per cent of young Indians surveyed believe that Global South countries like India, South Africa, and Brazil will gain more influence in shaping global decisions in the next decade.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and Next Generation India Advisor, said, “India is a USD 4 trillion economy today and aims to cross USD 30 trillion by 2047—transforming the lives of every citizen. Few countries have achieved such an ambitious leap, and doing so will demand relentless reform, expansion of manufacturing, and sustainable growth. Our biggest advantage is our demographic dividend: a young, dynamic population whose energy and innovation can power this transformation. In a world facing instability, protectionism, and climate stress, Our Future India reminds us that the imagination of young Indians will be the driving force of a resilient and inclusive Viksit Bharat.”

The research, co-facilitated by the United Nations Foundation and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), was conducted by the 10 Next Generation India Fellows. Drawing from their conversations with over 2,000 Indians, a nationwide survey, and 23 dialogues across seven Indian cities and four global regions, the report underscores the global stakes of empowering this generation to lead and thrive.

With more than 734 million people under the age of 30, India is home to the world’s largest youth population — accounting for nearly one in 10 young people on the planet. As India’s global influence grows, its young people are poised to help shape the world’s future.

Amb. Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation, said, “As we confront the challenge of how to reimagine international cooperation, Our Future India highlights how institutions can lead and transform possibilities into purpose — and action. This report is an impressive snapshot of the insights and imagination of our Next Generation India Fellows who have given India and other countries a roadmap for turning demographic energy into shared progress, and for reinvigorating cooperation to deliver for generations.”

Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO, CEEW and Special Envoy for COP30 representing South Asia, remarked, “The next phase of India’s growth will be defined not by what we promise, but by what we prove—through data, transparency, and innovation that reaches every citizen and empowers them to think and act from the ground up. Our Future India shows how that transformation begins—with young people thinking systemically, acting boldly, and proving through their work what a generation can achieve when it comes of age. Generations are defined not by when they are born but by when they come of age. The Next Generation India Fellows have come of age and must shape our future now.”

Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India, added, “At a time when the world faces overlapping crises and widening divides, India stands out as a source of hope and imagination. What makes India’s journey remarkable is the indigeneity in its growth models—solutions rooted in its own culture, creativity, and community. Our Future India embodies that same spirit, showing how young Indians are reimagining progress not just for themselves, but for a more cooperative and sustainable world.”

The insights the Fellows gathered through consultations and by speaking at over 70 UN high-level events and for other global moments emphasise that Viksit Bharat is a generational project driven by the conviction and imagination of young Indians who will live the longest with its results.

At the core of the Next Generation India Fellows’ youth-led roadmap are flagship strategies that address five megatrends through Quick Wins and Moonshots. The Quick Wins outline immediate, politically viable actions that could show real progress by 2030 — such as establishing a National Gig Work Commission to formalise protections for 400 million informal and platform workers, inspired by Rajasthan’s pioneering law. The Moonshots propose ambitious, long-term initiatives aimed at transforming India by 2047 — for instance, setting up a Ministry of Future Affairs to integrate foresight into governance.

Together, the report’s recommendations include creating a Care Fund that pays caregivers and embeds gender equity into the economy; launching Smart Village Hubs in high-migration regions to make migration a choice, not a necessity; scaling a Jan Bhagidari Framework for participatory city planning; forming a Panel on AI and Emerging Tech with youth representation; adopting a skills-first education model; developing a Bharat Climate Knowledge Compendium to preserve indigenous climate practices; and building an India Supergrid to power a green energy democracy.

Our Future India was launched in New Delhi at a high-level gathering, which brought together policymakers, diplomats, civil society leaders, and industry pioneers. Guests included Shri Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa and Next Generation India Advisor; Shombi Sharp, United Nations Resident Coordinator; Dr Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of CEEW and COP30 Special Envoy for South Asia; H.E. Ruchira Kamboj, Former Ambassador of India to the UN; and Sanjana Sanghi, UNDP India Youth Champion and actor; among others. The event featured youth-led art by Next Generation India Fellow Gurjeet Singh and a live classical performance by young musicians, symbolising India’s youthful, creative and cultural energy.

Also Read: DCM Shriram Acquires Four Salt Works to Boost Chemicals Business Supply Chain

📢 If You’re in Agriculture, Make Sure the Right People Hear Your Story.
From product launches to strategic announcements, Global Agriculture offers unmatched visibility across international agri-business markets. Connect with us at pr@global-agriculture.com to explore editorial and advertising opportunities that reach the right audience, worldwide.