Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 13 June celebrated 12 years of NDA governance under the theme '12 Years of Yuva Shakti', crediting India's youth with driving the country's transformation and reaffirming the government's commitment to youth-led development. Modi made the remarks in a post on X using the hashtag #12YearsOfYuvaShakti, outlining a range of flagship schemes and citing official figures on employment, skilling, and entrepreneurship.

What Modi Said

'The NDA Government is one that is strongly working towards youth-led development. One of the defining features of the last 12 years has been the confidence with which India's youth have pursued their aspirations,' Modi wrote. He highlighted programmes including Startup India, Digital India, Skill India, and the Atal Innovation Mission as cornerstones of an ecosystem that promotes innovation and enterprise.

'Today, India is among the world's leading startup destinations and many of these success stories are being scripted by our Yuva Shakti and that too from smaller towns and villages,' he added.

Key Figures on Youth Employment and Skilling

According to official data cited by the government, more than 12 crore entrepreneurs have received loans under the PM Mudra Yojana. Over 60 lakh youth have benefited under the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, while more than 1.6 crore young people have been trained under the PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana. The government has also distributed over 12 lakh appointment letters through Rozgar Melas.

India's startup ecosystem has grown to encompass more than 2.2 lakh startups, generating over 23 lakh jobs, according to the same official figures. Around 16 lakh innovation projects developed by students have further strengthened the country's entrepreneurship culture.

ITI Modernisation and Skill Infrastructure

Under the PM-SETU scheme, ₹60,000 crore has been allocated for the modernisation of 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), aimed at equipping young people with industry-ready skills. Modi noted that the growing pool of skilled workers has reinforced the Make in India initiative and supported broader industrial growth.

Youth in Sports, Science, and Emerging Technology

Modi also praised young Indians for their contributions to sectors including space exploration, semiconductors, and drone technology, calling them areas 'that will shape the future of our nation and the world.' He separately highlighted the performances of young Indian athletes in international competitions, stating that a stronger sporting ecosystem and better infrastructure are creating new opportunities for talent.

The Broader Context

The '12 Years of Yuva Shakti' theme marks a decade-plus of NDA rule and frames the government's record through the lens of youth empowerment. This comes amid ongoing national debates on unemployment and the quality of jobs being created — questions that opposition parties have consistently raised. Notably, the government's figures on startup jobs and skilling beneficiaries are drawn from official programme data, which critics argue does not always reflect sustained employment outcomes. How these numbers translate into durable livelihoods for India's 65%-below-35 demographic remains the defining test ahead.