Young India now being ruled by old men!

There is a growing concern that a youthful India is being ruled by old men.

- BY S VENKAT NARAYAN

In an article published in The Hindu, Sarthak Bagchi, who teaches at Ahmedabad University and Arja Kakkad, who studies in Ashoka University have expressed concern over old men ruling a young India.

India’s population in 2025 is estimated at 1.46 billion. The median age is about 28.8 years. So, India remains a relatively young country, with the majority in working-age groups

Recently, when Jagdeep Dhankhar stepped down as Vice-President, citing age-related health issues, discussions on ageing in politics sharpened in India. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Chief Mohan Bhagwat suggestion two months ago that leaders should step aside at the age of 75 had also triggered a debate. Narendra Modi continues as Prime Minister despite crossing the age of 75 on 17 September 2025, and so do several other leaders, underscoring the lack of a clear retirement norm.

The BJP’s unofficial age limit of 75 years — symbolised by the creation of the Margadarshak Mandal (Senior Leaders’ Advisory Council, floated by Modi to keep Lal Krishna Advani and Dr Murli Manohar Joshi out of active politics), has kept the spotlight on the question of when politicians should call it a day.

At the State level too, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s age (74) and health have emerged as key talking points ahead of the Bihar elections. Several instances of incoherence at public events have raised doubts about his ability to take crucial policy decisions and effectively discharge his duties. This is in sharp contrast to the image of ‘sushasan babu (boss of good governance)’ that he cultivated during his early years.