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Modi urges closer ties with universities, youth for policy innovation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the need for wider engagement with academic institutions and younger populations to inject fresh perspectives into governance. Speaking at a high-level meeting with senior bureaucrats, Modi emphasized collaborative approaches that have proven effective during major crises.

LSN India · 20 August 2026

Modi urges closer ties with universities, youth for policy innovation

During a meeting with secretaries of various government departments, Prime Minister Modi underscored the value of tapping into universities and youth networks as sources of unconventional thinking in policymaking. He argued that broader institutional partnerships could help introduce innovative approaches to administrative challenges facing the nation.

Modi cited the collaborative frameworks established during the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent West Asia crisis as examples of how departments working in concert can effectively address complex challenges. He highlighted these instances as evidence that collective effort across government machinery yields superior outcomes when responding to emergencies or policy imperatives.

The Prime Minister's remarks reflect an ongoing focus within the government on modernizing bureaucratic processes and incorporating diverse viewpoints into decision-making structures. By advocating for strengthened connections between the administrative apparatus and academic communities, Modi suggested that fresh intellectual capital could enhance governance quality.

The emphasis on youth engagement and university partnerships aligns with broader efforts to bridge the gap between academia and public administration in India, potentially facilitating knowledge transfer and fostering evidence-based policy formulation across multiple sectors.