Focus on youth
In her Interim Budget speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted the focus of the government on four major groups, one of them being the youth or ‘yuva’ of the nation.
World’s youngest
As per the CIA factbook India has the world's youngest population. Its median age was 29.8 years in 2024. 66% of India’s population is below the age of 35 and over more than 40% is under 25.
Further investment
India will continue to be the youngest nation in the world till 2030, as per UNFPA. It is experiencing a demographic window of opportunity, a “youth bulge” that will last till 2025.
Education
The FM highlighted the reforms brought about by the New Education Policy 2020 and the PM SHRI scheme. The government established 3000 ITIs, 7 IITs, 16 IIITs, 7 IIMs, 15 AIIMS and 390 universities.
Skill training
The FM underscored the fact that the Skill India Mission has trained 1.4 crore youth, upskilled and reskilled 54 lakh youth.
Investment
Under the PM Mudra Yojana 43 crore loans adding up to ₹22.5 lakh crore loans were sanctioned for youth with entrepreneurial aspirations.