Content:

1. Inclusive Governance and Youth Empowerment: Trends from 2014–2025

Inclusive Governance and Youth Empowerment: Trends from 2014–2025

context:
Recent reflections by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh underscore key developments in civil services access, citizen-centric reforms, and regional integration aimed at broadening opportunities and deepening governance outreach.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance )

Democratisation of Civil Services

• Civil services aspirants now emerge from non-traditional states (e.g. J&K, Punjab, Haryana).
• Reflects increasing access, inclusivity, and objectivity in recruitment.
• Case examples: Parsanjit Kour (AIR 11, 2022) from Poonch; Anmol Sher Singh Bedi (AIR 2, 2016) from Punjab.

Integration of Aspirations with Governance

• Civil services reflect democratisation of youth aspiration—linked to governance reforms ensuring equal opportunity.
• Socio-economic barriers reducing; “Every mother believes her child can reach the top.”

Mainstreaming of Marginal Regions

• Northeast and J&K integrated through infrastructure: railways reached previously isolated valleys.
• Vande Bharat trains, and symbolic stories (e.g. Manipuri girls in aviation) reflect changing ground realities.

Startup Culture & Employment Diversification

• Start-Up India, Stand-Up India redefined employment beyond government jobs.
• Biotech startups grew: 50 (2014) → 10,075 (2024); valuation from $10B → $170B.
• Promotes entrepreneurial mindset among youth

India’s Rise as Science Leader

• Axiom-4 mission: Indian astronaut to conduct biotech experiments with indigenous kits.
• Bharat Antariksh Station by 2035 → strategic self-reliance in space technology.
• Example of India’s tech-diplomacy and innovation leadership.

Citizen-Centric Governance Reforms

• CPGRAMS: Disposal rate of 96% in 2024 (26L grievances) vs 2L in 2014.
• Digital Life Certificate via facial recognition: promotes ease for pensioners.
• Progressive pension norms reflect inclusive, compassionate governance.

Inclusive Welfare Delivery

• Increased focus on universal coverage of welfare schemes (e.g. PM Awas Yojana), aiming for last-mile delivery.
• Approach reflects a shift towards outcome-based and beneficiary-centric governance, rather than selective targeting.

Harnessing J&K’s Economic Potential

• Discovery of Lithium reserves in J&K: energy security + regional growth.
• Youth described as aspirational—aligns with new India’s growth narrative.

Viksit Bharat @2047 Vision

• Citizens as co-creators in national development.
• Key line for essay/interview: “The real driving force behind Viksit Bharat 2047 will be the citizens.”

Takeaways:

• Case studies (Kour, Bedi, CPGRAMS, Startup growth) can be quoted in Ethics/Essay.
• Themes like inclusive governance, digital innovation, decentralised development highly relevant for GS2/GS3.
• Space, biotech, and grievance redressal—good for Interview & Mains value addition.