Editorial #1 Forging leadership with India’s youth power
Context
The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is a dynamic initiative aimed at inspiring India’s youth to think critically and contribute actively to the nation’s developmental journey. It aligns with the broader vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) and integrates seamlessly with the celebrations of National Youth Day on January 12, commemorating Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
Introduction
The National Youth Festival, celebrated annually on January 12, serves as a platform to empower India’s youth. This year, the festival introduced the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s belief that the youth are central to India’s growth story. By engaging the energy, creativity, and leadership potential of young minds, the initiative envisions shaping solutions to the nation’s challenges.
This dialogue underscores the pivotal role of youth in realizing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and creating innovative, inclusive pathways for national progress.
Key Features of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue
The dialogue is a four-stage competition designed to foster youth leadership, critical thinking, and collaboration:
- Stage 1: Viksit Bharat Quiz
- Conducted digitally on the My Bharat platform.
- Tests knowledge on India’s achievements, challenges, and vision for a developed future.
- Stage 2: Essay and Blog Writing
- Participants express their vision for India’s future on themes like tech for Viksit Bharat and youth empowerment.
- Stage 3: Viksit Bharat Vision Pitch Deck
- Participants pitch innovative solutions for India’s development at the state level.
- Stage 4: National Championship
- Held in New Delhi, finalists present their solutions to the Prime Minister, offering a unique opportunity to influence policy.
The competition evaluates knowledge, creativity, leadership, and communication skills, ensuring holistic development.
Features of the 2025 National Youth Festival
This year’s festival theme, “Youth for Sustainable Development”, emphasizes the role of young people as catalysts for global change.
- Workshops and Panels
- Sessions on youth leadership, digital entrepreneurship, and sustainable living.
- Focus on equipping participants with the skills to drive community-level transformation.
- Tech and Innovation Showcases
- Featuring young innovators addressing real-world challenges in sectors like health, education, and urban development.
- Special emphasis on Tech for Viksit Bharat.
- Cultural Programs
- Celebrates India’s rich cultural diversity through music, dance, theatre, and folk arts, offering youth avenues for creative expression.
- Digital Participation
- Expanded virtual access ensures inclusivity, enabling youth from remote areas to join workshops and discussions.
- Engagement with Leaders
- Direct interaction with government officials, business leaders, and academics fosters insights into leadership and governance.
- Recognition of Contributions
- Awards for exceptional leadership, innovation, and service motivate youth to actively shape India’s future.
Role of Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat)
Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, plays a pivotal role in organizing the National Youth Festival.
- Youth Empowerment
- Provides resources, mentorship, and platforms for youth to engage in nation-building activities.
- Digital Integration
- Facilitates virtual participation, ensuring equitable access to opportunities.
- Curating the Festival
- Aligns the festival’s programs with the aspirations of India’s youth, fostering engagement and knowledge sharing.
Conclusion
The National Youth Festival 2025, through initiatives like the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, highlights the transformative potential of India’s youth. By empowering young leaders to think critically and act decisively, India is fostering a generation equipped to navigate challenges and build a sustainable, inclusive future. This approach aligns with the nation’s commitment to SDGs and positions India’s youth as architects of a Viksit Bharat.
Editorial #2 India’s journey so far on the AI military bandwagon
Context
India has embarked on a journey to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen its defense ecosystem. While significant strides have been made, numerous challenges remain, particularly in policy clarity, resource allocation, and integration strategies.
Introduction
As nations worldwide embrace AI-driven military advancements, India too has recognized its transformative potential. Amidst ethical debates surrounding AI in defense, the country has initiated measures to modernize its military, supported by a substantial defense budget of ₹6.21 lakh crore in 2024-25. This emphasis on modernization underscores India’s commitment to integrating AI into its defense systems, exemplified by innovations like the Indrajaal autonomous drone security system and significant investments from global tech giants, such as Microsoft’s $3 billion commitment to building data centers in Telangana.
AI’s Role in India’s Military Modernization
- Transformative Potential of AI
- AI offers capabilities such as predictive analytics and autonomous decision-making systems that can revolutionize military operations.
- Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized AI’s role in reshaping future combat scenarios.
- International Collaborations
- India participates in global AI initiatives to enhance capabilities and align with evolving technological trends.
Challenges Hindering AI Integration
1. Resource Constraints
- High Costs of Data Centers: AI systems require sophisticated infrastructure, which demands substantial investments.
- Legacy Systems: India’s military is grappling with the replacement of outdated hardware, diverting resources away from AI integration.
2. Policy and Regulatory Gaps
- Fragmented Policies:
- The National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence outlines a vision but lacks actionable mechanisms for implementation.
- The Responsible AI for All framework emphasizes accountability but offers limited military-specific guidelines.
- Need for Robust Frameworks: Clear policies are essential to streamline deployment, ensure transparency, and address ethical concerns.
3. Structural Challenges in Armed Forces
- Siloed Operations:
- The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force operate with separate doctrines and communication systems, hindering interoperability.
- Procurement Bottlenecks:
- An overreliance on public sector units (PSUs) limits the speed and scale of AI adoption.
4. Inconsistent Government Approach
- Diverging views among policymakers reflect hesitation regarding AI’s risks.
- The Minister of External Affairs likened AI to nuclear weapons in its potential dangers.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) 2023, advocated caution, highlighting AI’s darker implications.
Efforts to Bridge the Gaps
- Institutional Mechanisms
- Defence Artificial Intelligence Council (DAIC) and Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) were established to address AI integration challenges.
- However, updates on their progress remain limited.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
- Drawing from the success of India’s space sector, introducing competition and collaboration between public and private entities can accelerate AI adoption.
- Encouraging startups and private firms can enhance innovation and quality in defense technologies.
- Global Learning and Competitiveness
- Nations like Israel and China have made significant advancements in military AI.
- India must adopt a clear, forward-looking vision to match the pace of global developments.
Recommendations for Effective AI Deployment
- Policy Realignment
- Develop comprehensive frameworks for military-specific AI guidelines to address deployment, regulation, and ethical considerations.
- Enhanced Infrastructure Investment
- Allocate resources for AI-focused data centers and R&D facilities to support scalable solutions.
- Inter-Service Integration
- Foster interoperability through unified doctrines and shared communication systems across the armed forces.
- Strengthening Collaboration
- Expand international partnerships and leverage global best practices for AI in defense.
- Promote PPPs to increase efficiency and innovation in procurement and deployment processes.
Conclusion
India has made significant strides in leveraging AI to modernize its defense ecosystem, but systemic challenges demand urgent attention. Addressing resource constraints, policy gaps, and structural inefficiencies is critical for harnessing AI’s full potential. A strategic focus on collaboration, innovation, and regulatory clarity will enable India to bridge the gap between aspirations and execution. With a cohesive, forward-looking approach, India can establish itself as a global leader in military AI, ensuring its defense capabilities remain robust, ethical, and future-ready.
