Significance of Youth Vote in Indian Electoral Politics: The ‘Yuva’ Factor

Abstract

This Research paper examines the importance of the youth vote in Indian elections and the factors that contribute to youth voting. Post-2014, MY Factor (Mahila and youth) has had the numbers to decide the outcome of elections, both at the national and state levels. The data from the Election Commission of India proves this, as do the outcomes of different state elections. Young voters, who constitute more than 20 percent of the electorate and include 21.5 crore people aged 18-29 in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, are an essential group that will determine who wins elections. Their rising population, which includes 18.4 million new voters, has turned unenthusiastic tendencies since 2014 into resolute engagement, including the Election Commission’s involvement, such as Turning 18, and severe engagement by parties in employment, education, and national development.