Evaluate the impact of globalization on Indian youths with reference to social, political, economic and cultural spheres. (Answer…

Globalisation has reshaped the lives of Indian youth, widening opportunity while creating new vulnerabilities.

Economic Sphere: Integration with global markets expanded jobs in IT/ITeS, Global Capability Centres and the gig economy, which NITI Aayog (2022) estimated at 77 lakh workers in 2020-21, projected to reach 2.35 crore by 2029-30. But these gains come with job insecurity, informality and the threat of automation. The Code on Social Security, 2020, in force since 21 November 2025, has begun extending social security to gig and platform workers.

Social Sphere: Global media have changed consumption and lifestyle aspirations, accelerating a shift towards individualism and personal autonomy, often at the cost of joint-family support. Digital hyper-exposure has widened the gap between aspiration and reality, adding to social comparison and mental-health distress among urban youth.

Political Sphere: Social media have democratised information and fostered youth activism on issues such as climate change, but also exposed young people to echo chambers, misinformation and polarisation.

Cultural Sphere: Rather than passive Westernisation, youth display hybrid identities—fusion music, glocal cuisine, blended festivities—and the flow is two-way, as Indian music and cinema reach global audiences (e.g., 'Naatu Naatu' winning the 2023 Oscar for Best Original Song). Concerns persist over homogenisation and the erosion of indigenous languages.

Verdict: On balance, globalisation has expanded the agency, skills and mobility of Indian youth, but unevenly—favouring the urban educated while leaving rural and marginalised youth exposed to precarity and unmet aspirations.