Education Views | Insightful Perspectives and Analysis - Edinbox

India takes pride as the world's largest democracy and has always differentiated itself on the global stage by its colourful electoral culture and a dynamic electorate. Over the last few years, however, a worthy demographic shift has been changing the political environment — the contemporary surge of youth political participation in India. The 2024 general elections made a dramatic turn, not just for the candidates and the political parties, but more importantly, for millions of young Indians who were coming aboard as engaged voters and changemakers. With student voters 2025 expected to drive upcoming elections, we are indeed seeing the emergence of a new era of voter consciousness, whereby a well-informed, digitally-savvy generation of social entrepreneurs is strategically challenging the behaviours of traditional politics.

A Democratic Upsurge ; The Youth Engagement in Politics 

Over the years, the youth of India have played enormous roles in social movements and political movements. We've witnessed student uprisings for freedom, leadership against the Emergency, and protests to end the farmers' despondence. Historically, in terms of sustained participation in formal politics, the Indian youth have had a sporadic existence for many decades. That is now changing dramatically.

Youth political participation in India has become more organized, consistent, and outcomes focused. The Election Commission of India (ECI) recorded over 18 million first-time voters in the general elections of 2024. These numbers are likely to continue to grow in the future election cycles making youth a decisive voting body.

 A Democratic Dividend in the Making

Civic engagement, awareness, and participation are important in sustaining democracy. And now, India is experiencing a profound resurgence of civic energy by its citizens, particularly among its youth. With nearly 65% of the population under the age of 35, those historically disenfranchised with India's democracy are no longer just passive observers of democratic processes in their country, they are clearly becoming an active force. The increasing youth political participation in India indicates that generations younger than the millennial generation are beginning to view politics, elections, governing, and their roles as changemakers differently.

There is no doubt that as student voters for 2025 prepare to vote, they are already influencing political discussions, party manifestos, campaign strategies and the political landscape. By leveraging their role as the largest and most active online generation, a generation fueled primarily by issues, values, and accountability, this generation of young voters - mostly Gen Z, is something new. Meaning, they are redefining what voters' engagement looks like - no longer merely exercising their right to vote every few years, but they are engaged in a new era of voter awareness with shifts in critical thinking, civic awareness, and activism.

Students Voters 2025

The term students voters 2025 references the next group of first-time young voters that will be participating in local, state, and national elections in the next electoral cycle. These students are digitally native, informed, and concerned about the future.

Key characteristics of student voters 2025-

1.Campus Campaigning and Youth Manifestos

Youth-led organisations and student bodies have begun to create their own manifestos and are calling for political parties to incorporate them into policy agendas. The youth manifestos often included:

• Right to quality education 
•  Affordable housing for students 
• More representation in local government 
•  Digital infrastructure and cyber security 

2. Voter Mobilization: On Technology

Apps and WhatsApp groups and AI-enabled platforms are being designed for voter registration drives, to counter false news, and offline political meetups. Groups such as Swaraj India, Yuva Shakti and Indian Youth Congress have provided digital literacy schemes to empower young voters to participate in democratic processes.

Young Voter Impact: Changing the Political Equation

The young voter impact is redefining and changing the existing structure of the Indian democracy, both in terms of quantity and quality.

1. Flipping electoral results

In several states, youth votes have changed the outcome of elections. In urban and semirural constituencies with learner populations, youth voters achieved remarkable wins through mobilising, both online and in person.

Cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, and Hyderabad have seen youth voter turnout as a percentage, now have substantial numbers, and youth-led political conversations appear to be in play. 

2. Shaping Political Discussion

Political parties across the mainstream must begin to explicitly include youth issues in their platforms. The 2024 electoral cycle had promises around:

•  Start-up and employment opportunities
•  Mental health
•  Digital access and online safety
•  Decriminalization of certain social behaviours

These promise priorities are all invariably associated with the advocacy of young voters and student groups.

3. Building Pressure Groups

Youth are forming increased numbers of advocacy groups, formal NGOs, and more informal structures and volunteer bases. All work to put pressure on governments to act in some way on many policy fronts. There are sizable movements such as the anti CAA protests, farmers support movements, and climate action movements and youth have participated in substantial numbers in all of them.

Barriers To Youth Engagement - The Gaps That Are (Still) There 

Even the successes of the movement are ultimately held back by real barriers to meaningful political participation through young people within Indian democracy. 

1. Rural Youth Voter Apathy 

While urban youth have support all around them to be engaged, youth in rural areas are often not only unaware of issues but also often lack the resources (including accessibility to voting infrastructure) to engage civically. If we genuinely want to politically engage youth we need to strengthen voter education campaigns in these areas. 

2. Economic Barriers 

For many young adults, pursuing employment when they enter the world of work creates significant economic constraints and job instability that often force them into a position of survival that does not afford them the opportunity to engage civically. An emphasis on the economics of citizenship illustrates that when young people do not have an economic base to stand on, it is almost impossible to sustain political engagement.

3. Cynicism with Distrust

Exchange with organizational corruption, broken promises or simply political cynicism that is user friendly, erodes levels of trust in government actors and systems. Generation Z is being hopeful; however, their political engagement is also based on mistrust of institutional politics.

4. Limited Political Literacy

Access to digital formats is overall quite good; however, the understanding of the constitution structure/electoral laws/policy frameworks is very limited. Political literacy is necessary to convert knowledge of an issue into action at the policy level.

Gen Z Voting Trends: Leaving Conventional Politics Behind

Gen Z voting trends are unlike a political trend previously seen in India. This generation was born roughly between the late 1990s and early 2010s, thus representing a generation of voters who are not bound to traditional loyalties and who are unwilling to accept any political rhetoric conforming to traditional assumptions of how voters will behave. 

1. Digital Engagement

For Gen Z, political engagement is online. Political engagement does not start with rallies but it starts on digital platforms, such as Instagram reels, YouTube debates, Reddit threads, and Twitter spaces. Gen Z is important as a voting group because they are fact-checkers and often respond purposefully to disinformation campaigns.

2. Voting by Values

The members of the generation are voting based on value alignment with candidates rather than on caste, religion, or party loyalties. They have a particular interest in some topics, which include: 

* Climate Justice 

* Freedom of Speech 

* LGBTQ+ Rights 

* Women Safety 

* Mental Health & Resources 

* Education Reforms 

3. Support for New Political Characters

Gen Z is more likely to support independent candidates or new political parties who could offer alternatives to the political status quo, offer transparency, or are progressive. Traditional parties face pressure to alter their language, their behaviours, and their identities.

4. Social Media Advocacy

Digital advocacy has become the primary method of activism. Hashtag movements, online petitions, and viral videos have taken on a new meaning when it comes to altering political reputations. Political leaders are now pouring money into social media, targeting the Gen Z audience directly.

The increase in engagement of youth in Indian politics is rewriting the playbook. This generation, faced with a life-altering pandemic, will no longer be sidelined and underestimated by their elders, and are claiming their democratic rights with clarity and confidence. They are not only the future of Indian politics, they are the present.

From the classroom to the campaign trail, from hashtags to policy proposals, youth voices in India are becoming louder and clearer. The first cohort has already voted, and as student voters 2025 get ready to cast their votes, they have with them their expectation of a more transparent, accountable, and just India.

This is more than a trend, it is a movement. And it is the sign of a new voter consciousness that will warp the soul of Indian democracy.


 BY- ANANYA AWASTHI  

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Tuesday transferred six indigenously manufactured strategic systems to the Indian Navy. The systems, developed to Naval Staff Qualitative Requirements (NSQR), were ceremoniously transferred to the Indian Navy Tuesday at a ceremony in DRDO's Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur.

The handover was made by Secretary DDR&D and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat to Rear Admiral Sriram Amur, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Submarine Support Planning), a move towards operational self-reliance for the Indian Navy. 

The six critical products handed over are:

Gamma Radiation Aerial Surveillance System (GRASS)

Environmental Surveillance Vehicle (ESV)

Vehicle Radiological Contamination Monitoring System (VRCMS)

Underwater Gamma Radiation Monitoring System (UGRMS)

Dirt Extractor and Cross Contamination Monitor (DECCOM)

Organ Radioactivity Detection System (ORDS)

All six systems have been designed to enhance situational awareness, detection, and decontamination capabilities in the event of nuclear and radiological emergencies — both at sea and ashore. Their induction in the field is a major leap ahead in India's naval preparedness against non-traditional threats, specifically in disputed maritime areas.

This shift follows closely another achievement on June 11, when DRDO, in collaboration with the Indian Air Force, achieved successful test-firings of the locally developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) Astra from a Su-30 MKI launcher off the coast of Odisha. The missile, now integrated with an Indian-designed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, targeted and annihilated aerial targets with impressive precision.

The over 100 km strike range Astra missile is fitted with a cutting-edge indigenous guidance and navigation package. Its creation is a testament to the synergy between DRDO's R&D centers, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and over 50 indigenous industry partners, testifying to the big push under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program.

Collectively, these twin successes — a critical CBRN technology transfer and a precision missile test — reestablish India's growing defence production ecosystem and operational autonomy across domains.

Kerala's education system is making headlines by revolutionizing the conventional classroom seating, shifting away from the prevalent "backbencher" culture to embracing novel U-shaped seating designs. The new trend seats the students in a semicircle in front of the instructor, all with particular design to facilitate inclusivity, fair participation, and increased student engagement. As part of Kerala school education reforms, this inclusive classroom model is designed to maximize concentration, discussion, and interaction between teachers and students today. In reimagining classroom design in Kerala schools, the process has unleashed heated discussion on social media handles—while some applaud the revolution as a movement toward democratic and concentrated learning, others lament having lost the freedom of creativity once afforded from behind rows.

How u-shaped class seating helps promote inclusivity and participation

In this arrangement, the tables are placed in a U-shape in front of the teacher in the middle. The concept is that it provides equal play participation by providing each learner with clear view of the teacher—and vice versa. These supporters believe that the format lessens classroom hierarchies, allows for interaction, and avoids distraction that tends to creep in at the rear of the classroom.

Inspired by a Malayalam movie, Sthanarthi Sreekuttan, the program was initially pilot-tested in one government school at Valakom and has since caught on among other schools in Kerala as well as in one in Punjab. Teachers have termed the semi-circle seating arrangement as facilitating group learning and eliminating physical as well as psychological barriers in classrooms.

Internet reacts to Kerala's backbencher ban in classrooms

The decision has provoked a wave of responses on social media. There were some appreciations for Kerala's education sector for promoting equality and active participation among students, particularly in government schools where differences between the learning setups are more noticeable.

Others, though, looked back nostalgically to the back rows—long a sanctuary for introverts, quiet thinkers, or those students wishing to get their heads clear. Among the popular posts was that as much as the new seating structure encourages visibility and attention, it can constrain the open creative space that the old backbenchers enjoyed. Several others grumbled about ergonomics as well, speculating a stern sideways lean might make them uncomfortable for long periods of sitting.

Kerala's u-shaped seating turns classroom culture upside down

It was a general consensus among web-viewers that the shift is more than mere furniture reorganization—it reflects a larger cultural shift by schools towards student participation. By essentially eliminating the "back" of the class, these schools are symbolically abolishing knowledge hierarchies and moving towards a more democratic learning environment.

In SLTP Negeri 2 Pematang Raya research affirmed the efficacy of U-shaped seating in discussion in the classroom setting, particularly speaking lessons with grade one students. The study ended by concluding that utilising U-shaped seating allowed the teacher to give clear instructions, observe students with ease, and engage more effectively in discussion. More than 77% of the students were affirmative and responded that they enjoyed and felt at ease using the U-shaped seating layout. This is positive proof of Kerala's move to implement U-shaped classrooms as an evidenced-based strategy for elevating participation and engagement.

Though there's debate, there's no disputing the interest, fascination, and healthy dose of nostalgia created by Kerala's U-shaped classroom pilot. Whether states adopt, there's no doubt this classroom pilot has put folks thinking—about learning, where we sit, and how those decisions inform education experiences.

In a spine-chilling episode that sent the state of Odisha into shock, a 20-year-old university student from Balasore tried self-immolation after several months of sex harassment by an assistant professor, according to charges. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has promised the "strictest action" against them, taking responsibility for the administration's inaction despite her repeated appeals.

The incident took place in the afternoon on Saturday when the student immolated herself outside the gate of her college. She is at present in critical condition at AIIMS Bhubaneswar with 90–95% burn and on ventilator support in the ICU. Her condition is perilous with various organs, according to the doctors. "The following 24 to 48 hours are crucial," said AIIMS Bhubaneswar executive director Dr Ashutosh Biswas. She is being stabilized by a round-the-clock multidisciplinary group of critical care, plastic surgery, and nephrology experts.

Chief Minister Majhi, who spoke to the student at the hospital on Sunday, stated that the government is going to air lift the student to AIIMS Delhi if she is well. "We are trying every possible means to save her. The government is treating this incident with utmost seriousness," he said to the media after meeting with her family.

A probe by a committee of the Higher Education Department has been launched, and Majhi assured speedy and exemplary action on the report's basis. "The first step has been taken, but the offenders won't be spared," he asserted.

The student, as per the accounts, had complained of continual sexual harassment on the part of the professor, including threats to ruin her academic record and coercive requests for sexual favors. Despite the complaints, no concrete step was initiated by the college authorities, reportedly compelling her to the extent of committing the crime.

The incident has evoked collective outrage and fresh calls for strict action to combat sexual harassment at schools and colleges, with calls for the college administrations to be held accountable and reforming grievance redressal mechanisms.

Underneath the ivy-covered walls, American universities continue to appear to be centers of learning — full libraries, humming seminar rooms, and foreign campuses. But beyond those ivy-covered walls, higher education in America is being quietly relegated to collateral damage in the increased geopolitical war.

Now, once valued as beacons of international cooperation, universities are now at the center of national security controversies, blacklists, and foreign sanctions. In Washington and Moscow, institutions are being drawn into wars they did not sign up to fight.

Consider the China Scholarship Council (CSC), for instance, a government-funded program once touted as a tool of educational diplomacy. It is now being questioned by US legislators, charged with advancing Beijing's military-industrial agendas. Elite universities such as the University of California and Dartmouth are now being queried whether recipients of CSC have access to sensitive research. The tone is unmistakable: suspicion has supplanted scholarship.

Meanwhile, Texas itself has painted its own red lines, this time an executive order prohibiting public universities from cooperating with China-linked, Russia-linked, Iran-linked, and North Korea-linked institutions. The consequence? UT Austin and Texas A&M are reworking collaborations and halting research, anticipating backlash. Scholars fear this will induce racial profiling and intellectual silencing, that is, against Asian scholars.

Abroad, tensions are repeated. Russia recently blacklisted Yale University for meddling in internal affairs, even though the university has had minimal presence in the nation. It's a symbolic gesture — with the atmosphere as it stands today, even old historical relationships or intellectual affinities are grounds for revenge.

This corrosive, glacial politicization of learning isn't just an ivory-tower problem. It's corrosive of the very mission of universities: international understanding, open inquiry, and cooperative solutions to world problems. With 270,000 Chinese students in America last year alone, the implications are enormous. Visas, dollars, and research independence no longer are policy concerns — they're diplomatic wagers.

Universities are faced with a choice today. They either insulate themselves from the angst of geopolitics, or they become pieces in a game for world control. And if that is to happen to take place, the losers will not be policymakers or bureaucrats — but the very students and scholars who once believed that higher education was the door to possibility.

The media landscape in India is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by technological advancements, changing consumer behaviors, and the rise of digital platforms. For media students, understanding these trends is crucial for carving out successful media careers.

The Indian media industry is experiencing a life changing revolution like never before. What once revolved around newspapers, Doordarshan, and radio has now exploded into a vibrant digital universe filled with OTT platforms, podcasts, reels, citizen journalism, and AI-driven newsrooms.

The Great Indian  Media Revolution 

As future media professionals, students must not just observe these changes,they must understand, analyze, and embrace them. The media is not just a career field anymore,it is a dynamic space for influence, creativity, and public responsibility. If you have a passion for research, curiosity and art of storytelling,the world is yours! You have to be ready to accept, adapt, change ,learn and implement tradition along with new versions of digitalization.

• Digital Media is Dominating

India’s digital media consumption is outpacing traditional platforms. With over 850 million internet users as of 2025 and cheap mobile data, people consume news, entertainment, and educational content primarily on digital devices. If you're a media student, building digital storytelling, content creation, and online publishing skills is no longer optional,it’s essential.

• OTT Boom

Storytelling Without Borders-OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ Hotstar, and local players like Zee5 and SonyLIV are reshaping Indian entertainment. Whats trending? Regional content is booming. Independent creators and screenwriters are getting a platform.Web series are exploring taboo and fresh subjects traditional TV avoided. Aspiring filmmakers, scriptwriters, and content creators can now dream big without waiting for a "big break." Learn scripting, production, and editing tailored to OTT formats.

• Multilingualism is a new trend and need

India’s linguistic diversity is now at the heart of media strategy. News apps, entertainment shows, and YouTube creators are producing more content in Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, and other regional languages. Over 70% of digital users prefer content in their regional language .Local storytelling has global appeal today. Being multilingual is a superpower. Tell local stories with global emotions. Learn how to localize content without losing its heart.

• Influencer & Creator Economy-Journalism Meets Personality

Today, journalists are influencers, and influencers are journalists. From finance to fashion, content creators are building personal brands, reaching millions.

Trends to Watch: Instagram reels & YouTube Shorts dominate attention spans.Trust is shifting from institutions to individuals.Niche creators (tech, education, social causes) are thriving. Create your voice. Start your own blog, YouTube channel, or podcast. Learn branding, analytics, and how to build a loyal audience.

1. Citizen Journalism

With the rise of smartphones and social media, citizen journalism is becoming a powerful force. Media students should embrace this trend by learning how to engage with communities, gather stories, and amplify local voices. Smartphones and social media have empowered common citizens to become news reporters. From protests to floods, the first visuals often come from someone on the ground, not a news van.But Beware,misinformation is also spreading fast. Fact-checking and media literacy are more crucial than ever. Learn the ethics and techniques of citizen journalism. Always verify before you amplify.

New-Era Evolution in Media Industry 

• AI and Automation in Newsrooms-Artificial Intelligence is no longer futuristic in media,it’s here. AI writes short news snippets, analyzes viewer behavior, generates subtitles, and even produces synthetic voices.
• AI in Action- It does Automated editing,personalized news feeds,deepfake detection,Voice cloning and video summarization. Embrace AI tools. Learn to work with technology, not against it. But always prioritize human ethics, values, and creativity.
• Podcasting and Audio Production -From Spotify to Gaana and YouTube, India is listening more than ever. Podcasting is growing, especially in genres like,Motivation,Self-help,Crime thrillers,News and commentary,Interviews with changemakers. Try audio storytelling. All you need is a mic, an idea, and your voice. Develop your own podcast and learn scripting, voice modulation, and sound design.
• Data Journalism & Visual Storytelling-News is no longer just words,it’s numbers, infographics, timelines, and interactive charts.

What’s Changing? 

COVID-19 boosted interest in data-based reporting.Election analysis, economic updates, and social issues are being explained through visuals. Pick up data tools like Tableau, Canva, Excel, Flourish. Learn to convert boring stats into compelling stories.

Hyper-Local & Community Media- Local stories are getting global attention. Platforms like Mojo Story, Scroll, and even hyperlocal YouTube channels in small towns are breaking important stories. Don’t wait for big cities. Start where you are. Cover your community, village, or campus. Authenticity matters more than gloss.

Media Education is Changing- Mass communication courses are evolving rapidly. From video production and digital marketing to AR/VR journalism and interactive storytelling .Media education is aligning with real-world skills.And it needs bold, ethical, creative storytellers like you to shape it. Your camera, your mic, your laptop, and your voice can change minds and move hearts.

Don’t just consume the media. Create it. Don’t just follow trends. Lead them.Don’t rely only on textbooks. Build a portfolio. Intern, freelance, collaborate, and keep upskilling with short-term certifications. Because the future of Indian media is not just digital,it’s personal, passionate, and powerful, you could be the one who will bring  the next media revolution.