For Gen Z And Under-40, To Be MP Or MLA, It Helps To Be Gen D — Dynast, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• An analysis reveals that Gen Z (born 1997-2012) has only 26 legislators across Parliament and state Assemblies in India.
• Half of these Gen Z legislators, specifically 13, are identified as political dynasts.
• Among the six Gen Z Members of Parliament (Lok Sabha), five come from political families.
• Eight out of the 20 Gen Z Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) also have a political background.
• The minimum age to contest elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies is 25 years.

Detailed Insights:

• Youth in India, despite being a significant demographic, face substantial challenges in gaining political representation.
• India has one of the world's largest youth populations, with over 65% below the age of 30, yet they are underrepresented in decision-making roles.
• Political dynasties are prevalent in Indian politics, with approximately 21% of all legislators having dynastic backgrounds, rising to 31% in the Lok Sabha.
• The persistence of dynastic politics is attributed to factors like inherited social capital, name recognition, established networks, and a lack of internal democracy within political parties.
• Financial barriers and the high cost of contesting elections also pose significant obstacles for young, non-dynastic aspirants.
• The current minimum age for contesting elections for Lok Sabha and state Assemblies is 25 years, as stipulated by Article 84(b) and Article 173(b) of the Constitution.
• There have been discussions and recommendations to lower the minimum age for contesting elections to 18 years, aligning it with the voting age.
• Gen Z in India is characterized by being digitally native, socially aware, and driven by values, often focusing on innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Recent youth protests, such as those related to the NEET paper leak issue, highlight Gen Z's active engagement in social and political discourse outside formal electoral politics.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Gen Z: Individuals born between 1997 and 2012, characterized by their digital nativity and social awareness.
• Political Dynast: A person whose political position or electoral success is inherited from family members rather than solely earned through merit.
• Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, whose members are directly elected by the people.
• MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly): An elected representative of the people in the legislative assembly of a state or a union territory in India.