For over a decade, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has governed India, the world’s largest democracy, with a strategy combining sustained religious mobilisation and promises of economic progress. However, this approach is now facing significant challenges from the country’s Generation Z, comprising more than 370 million young people. In recent days, tens of thousands of these youth have taken to the streets nationwide, marking one of the most substantial protests Modi’s administration has encountered.
The unrest initially stemmed from a major scandal involving a leaked medical college admissions exam held in May. After it was revealed that insiders had compromised the test, over 2 million students were required to retake it. This disruption not only upended the futures of many but also led to tragic consequences, including at least a dozen student suicides. Protesters have demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, whose tenure has seen multiple exam leak incidents.
The situation escalated following controversial remarks by India’s Chief Justice Surya Kant, who referred to unemployed youth as “cockroaches,” comments he later clarified as targeting only those with fake degrees. This rhetoric amplified public anger, inspiring the formation of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), a youth-led movement and social media phenomenon mocking Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The CJP has attracted millions of followers, reflecting widespread youth disenchantment with the current political establishment.
Beyond the exam scandal, the protests tap into deeper frustrations among India’s young population. Unemployment disproportionately affects those under 30, with joblessness among graduates notably higher than among people without basic literacy. Despite government skill development programmes training millions, employment outcomes remain poor, and wage growth has stagnated. Even sectors traditionally seen as growth engines, such as information technology, have reduced hiring and carried out layoffs. Many young Indians are compelled to accept work beneath their qualifications or to enter low-paid, insecure gig economy roles.
The personal and social repercussions of economic instability are widespread, affecting family formation and financial independence. Modi’s government had vowed to create 20 million jobs annually, improve infrastructure, fight corruption, and build a new middle class, but many young people feel these promises have not materialised.
Protests have been characterized by creative and irreverent expressions, often conveyed through social media platforms, with demonstrators leveraging memes and videos to voice dissent. In Delhi, some protests have turned violent as security forces responded with tear gas and baton charges, leading to injuries and hospitalizations of numerous participants, including minors. Authorities have also reportedly used pellet guns, raising concerns about the handling of dissent.
Notably, the movement has transcended traditional social and religious divides, drawing participants from various backgrounds, including children of BJP supporters. Communal solidarity has been evidenced by interfaith cooperation at protest sites, with community kitchens run by Sikh Gurdwaras and support from individuals across religious lines.
Despite the intensity of the protests, Prime Minister Modi has yet to address the demonstrators directly or sanction Pradhan’s removal, though some concessions have been made. Political analysts suggest Modi faces a difficult balancing act: removing a close and influential minister could signal vulnerability within his cabinet, yet ignoring widespread youth discontent risks further alienation.
Observers note that earlier demonstrations under Modi—such as those against the citizenship law in 2019 and the farmers’ strike in 2020—were often met with swift government suppression and portrayed as influenced by separatist or foreign actors. This current movement’s secular and inclusive nature makes such framing less tenable. The protesters have effectively reclaimed the discourse on nationalism and secularism, challenging the government on democratic and governance issues.
Critics argue that the protests reveal a generational shift in political engagement, with young Indians no longer willing to accept the status quo, calling into question the sustainability of Modi’s political dominance. While the government maintains a strong position, the scale and defiance of the current youth-led movement may signal changing dynamics in India’s socio-political landscape.