Gerontocracy in Indian Politics: Why Our Leaders Don’t Reflect the Country’s Youth
India is young. Its politicians are not.
While the average Indian is about 28 years old, the people governing India are among the oldest in the country’s history. This generational distortion — where lawmakers are far older than the citizens they represent — is known as gerontocracy. Recent data from the 18th Lok Sabha, current state assemblies, and the top echelons of government shows how deeply this phenomenon runs through Indian democracy.
The Stark Age Gap: Parliament and Assemblies vs The People
Numbers don’t lie:
- Average age of 18th Lok Sabha MPs (elected in 2024): 56 years — the highest ever.
- Only 11% of MPs are aged 40 or younger; more than half are 55+, and the oldest is 82.
- State assemblies: A nationwide ADR analysis of 4,092 MLAs finds that over 61% are above 50. Just 11% are under 40, showcasing a similar tilt toward the aged.
By contrast:
- India’s median age (2024): ~28.4 years — with over 65% of citizens below 35.
- The average Rajya Sabha member is estimated to be well over 60.
A Portrait of India’s Greying Power Structure
Despite having the world’s largest youth population, the highest offices of Indian politics and administration add up to a formidable portrait of elder leadership:
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will turn 75 in September 2025; already one of India’s oldest serving PMs.
- National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is 80 years old as of 2025 — India’s oldest and longest-serving NSA.
- Key Chief Ministers:
- Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala): 80 (oldest CM in office)
- Nitish Kumar (Bihar): 73
- Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal): 70
- Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh): 75
- Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh): 53
- Pema Khandu (Arunachal Pradesh): 46 (youngest among major states)
- Revanth Reddy (Telangana): 55
- Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh): 59
- Other senior figures:
- Sonia Gandhi (Congress leader): 78
- Rajnath Singh (Defence): 74
- Amit Shah (Home): 60
Lok Sabha youngest and oldest MPs:
- Oldest: T. R. Baalu, 82 (Tamil Nadu)
- Youngest: Four MPs at 25 (constitutional minimum) — Shambhavi Choudhary, Sanjana Jatav, Pushpendra Saroj, Priya Saroj.
What Does Gerontocracy Mean for Democracy?
A gerontocracy is rule by elders. In India, this means the lived experience and priorities reflected in the law are those of a generation several decades older than India’s average citizen. This can skew legislative focus — employment, digital policy, social media, education, and entrepreneurship issues affecting youth may be interpreted through an out-of-date lens. When older generations dominate, innovation can slow, and youth concerns — including climate, tech, jobs, and mental health — may get less official attention.
Why Are India’s Politicians So Old?
The roots run deep and structural:
- Top-Down Nominations: Parties are controlled by concentrated leaderships; tickets for “winnable” seats go mostly to loyal, well-connected veterans.
- Weak Intra-Party Democracy: Internal elections or leadership changes rarely elevate younger figures.
- Societal Tradition: Seniority is culturally valued, and experience is often equated with age.
- No Legal Remedies: While the Constitution sets lower age limits (25 for Lok Sabha/MLA, 30 for Rajya Sabha/MLC), there is no structural mechanism to promote youth candidatures. The Law Commission’s 170th report highlights the urgent need for intra-party reforms and greater transparency.
- Safety for Parties: Older politicians are seen as a “safe bet,” especially in risk-averse electoral environments
Is It a Problem Unique to India?
Globally, parliaments are older than populations. However, for a country where the youth form the largest chunk of voters in the world, the disconnect is more dramatic and consequential. The Inter-Parliamentary Union’s data shows that only about 2.8% of global MPs are under 30, underscoring how rare it is to see real youth representation at the top.
Fixing the Gap: What Will It Take?
- Internal Party Democracy:
Legal reforms enforcing regular, transparent inner-party elections and term limits can force parties to broaden their leadership pipelines. - Affirmative Action:
Youth quotas in ticket allotment, modeled on gender reservations, could be considered. - Institutional Innovation:
Regular youth parliaments, mentorship programs, and seats for youth representatives in important committees would mainstream young voices. - Societal Change:
Voters increasingly demanding younger candidates will shift party priorities.
Conclusion: A Demographic Dividend, Squandered?
India’s democracy is often celebrated for its vibrancy, but its most vital demographic — youth — struggles to be heard where it matters most. Power’s “age wall” is rising at precisely the moment when India needs bold, youthful thinking the most. If the promise of India’s demographic dividend is to be realized, Parliament and state assemblies must reflect not just the wisdom of age but the promise and perspective of youth.
It’s time for India’s politics to grow younger — for the sake of its democracy and its future.
