NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outsmarted Rahul Gandhi trying to win over the Generation Z, with an appeal directly to the youth.
Dharmendra Pradhan read his message right to resign amid massive student protests over the NEET leak fiasco, saying he was resigning taking moral responsibility on his own as his stepping down not a matter of personal prestige.
His resignation came in the wake of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s message that young people need explanation and affection, and not commands. Bhagwat said today’s young generation was not misguided or directionless as he called for meaningful “discussion” and not “dictation” to understand them.
Speaking at the ‘Vishwa Mangalya Sabha’ event, Bhagwat reflected on the widening gap between generations, saying today’s youth require the right guidance. “When we were young, it was an era of obedience. That’s not the case anymore,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly stepped up his direct outreach to the younger generation (Gen Z and the next-gen demographic), employing digital-first communication strategies, addressing major youth-centric issues, and urging his cabinet to actively engage on modern platforms.
In an unprecedented shift in his communication approach, PM Modi utilized an Instagram-style, front-facing phone video format (reminiscent of a casual selfie video) to connect directly with the youth. This digital touchpoint—where he addressed youngsters as “Friends”—garnered hundreds of millions of views, leading to a follow-up video thanking the youth for their constructive suggestions and engagement.
Following this massive digital response, PM Modi urged his Union Cabinet ministers to expand their social media presence well beyond platforms like X (formerly Twitter). He instructed them to actively use Instagram, create interactive content and reels, and speak in the digital language preferred by Gen Z to properly communicate government policies, address concerns, and bridge the information gap.
This heightened focus on next-gen outreach coincided with high-stakes student and youth-led protests across India concerning competitive examination paper leaks. In his direct video addresses, PM Modi acknowledged the deep pain and anxiety caused by paper leaks to students and their parents. He pledged stern, uncompromising action, promising the establishment of fast-track courts to punish culprits and pushing for stringent anti-paper leak legislative measures in Parliament.
PM Modi has consistently emphasized that India’s Yuva Shakti (youth power) is not merely a vote bank, but the core driving force of “New India”. His long-term vision positions Gen Z and next-gen innovators as central pillars in achieving the goal of a developed nation (Viksit Bharat 2047). Highlighting the rapid rise of young entrepreneurs, space-tech startups (such as those driving India’s private space sector with an average team age in the late 20s), and digital infrastructure, he has maintained that the current administrative push toward innovation, modern education policies, and skill development is meant to ensure today’s youth witness and build a prosperous future.
Modi announced that he will go live on Instagram every Sunday at 8 PM to engage more effectively with the youth.Read. Prime minister Modi has posted a second video on his socials, addressed to Gen Z. This is unprecedented in his 12 year term as Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a meeting to discuss the roadmap for Next-Generation Reforms in Delhi.
Pradhan has resigned amid the NEET-UG controversy, saying the interests of students and the nation must come first. In a resignation letter addressed to young people, he defended the government’s response to the exam crisis while explaining why he decided to step down.
In a two-page resignation letter addressed to “my young friends”, Pradhan defended the government’s response to the exam crisis, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said his decision was guided by one priority: ensuring that students’ future does not get caught in prolonged political and legal battles.
His resignation comes after weeks of protests, political pressure and demands for accountability following the cancellation and re-conduct of NEET-UG 2026.
The Centre on Saturday issued its first public reaction after Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced his resignation, with Union Minister Kiren Rijiju praising his contribution to India’s education sector and describing his public life as a “testament to lifelong engagement with public life and student welfare”.
In a post on X, Rijiju wrote, “True leadership is measured over decades and Dharmendra Pradhan’s journey stands as a testament to lifelong engagement with public life & student welfare.”
