Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (August 20, 2026) called for greater engagement between government departments, universities, and the youth to integrate fresh perspectives into policymaking.
As part of his ongoing outreach to younger generations, PM Modi said that such a wider engagement can birth new and unconventional ideas.
The Prime Minister himself reached out to the students through social media on multiple occasions after the protests, which led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Education Minister. The Prime Minister called for effective use of Artificial Intelligence while ensuring human intervention and judgement, as he termed data a national asset and a resource for the future.
“The Prime Minister called for greater engagement between government departments, universities and young people to bring fresh perspectives in policymaking,” a statement from his office said. PM Modi also said on X that in his meeting with the secretaries, he discussed with them the future action agenda of ministries and departments pertaining to infrastructure and connectivity, security and external affairs. “Emphasised the need for effective use of data and AI, wider engagement with universities, as well as greater focus on research and innovation across sectors,” he said. The Prime Minister said that secretaries, in addition to thinking about immediate issues and statistics, should also think with a long-term perspective on shaping the country’s future. He discussed the future action agenda of ministries and departments dealing with infrastructure and connectivity, security and external affairs, and governance, according to a press release. Earlier reporting noted: “Noting that deliberations had already been held with two groups of Secretaries, Prime Minister said that Secretaries, in addition to thinking about immediate issues and statistics, should also think with a long-term perspective on how the country’s future should be shaped,” the release stated.
Earlier reporting noted: PM Modi chaired the third high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India at his residence. Earlier reporting noted: ‘Break silos, engage more with youth’: PM Modi’s message to officials after key high-level meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asked the top government official to engage with the youth more during a high-level meeting with secretaries to the government.
