What Gen Z is really talking about when they talk politics
When you think of India’s Gen Z, a collage almost instinctively forms in your mind, often deciphering what this 370 million strong group is supposedly all about. They are reshaping the work culture, bringing back the Y2K fashion, enjoying the joy of missing opportunities, and reinterpreting identities and lifestyles. So how much do we really understand the political awareness of this chronically interconnected generation? Where do they get their news, what are their concerns and non-negotiables?
And to all these questions, Gen Z in Chennai had somewhat conflicting answers. But there was one thing that was undeniable among all Gen Zers this reporter spoke to: They get their news from social media and get the gist before swiping. But some are turning to long-form pieces through newspapers and digital subscriptions.
Ciby Sankavi, a 25-year-old educational psychologist from Guduvanchery, says she follows some news outlets on social media to stay updated on political developments. He thinks that Generation Z often finds it safer to advocate on social media, but states that advocacy cannot end with a story or truth.
“We care; we resonate very deeply with the socio-political environment. But online advocacy can turn into performance; there is an illusion that you are doing something, but it can also stop you from doing more. It is only when we turn to action that we can feel grounded in our belief systems and policies; otherwise it will continue to exist in silos,” says Ms. Sankavi, who believes Gen Z needs to think about how to bring youth mobilization to their constituencies.
“Everything is political. From the air we breathe to the water that floods only certain parts of Chennai, the climate is not fair to all of us,” he adds.
Voting in the digital age
A 24-year-old data scientist from Chennai, who wishes to remain anonymous, says voting is the most efficient way to express one’s political views. “There is no reason to miss this. We are all part of a social fabric,” he says, adding that objectively, to remain politically conscious, he actively reads newspapers and moved back to Chennai from the city where he was studying to vote in the 2021 Tamil Nadu elections.
“I’ve seen a few people my age be politically aggressive with their opinions but still miss the opportunity to vote. Many Gen Zers form their ideologies and opinions from social media (tweets, reels, and Reddit skirmishes) but do not gain true political literacy. Only by reading widely can one develop a well-rounded political consciousness,” he adds.
Sanjith Singh, a Gen Z from Chennai who works in event management, says he relies on social media for updates on current affairs and only goes back to read more when something happens to him.
political priorities
Among the younger generation of Gen Z, several 18-year-olds browsing through books at the Anna Centenary Library admitted that politics “isn’t their thing.” Stating that women’s safety and freedom are an absolute priority, officials stated that political parties in the country do not give these problems the priority they deserve, which reduces their voting tendencies. For context, only 38% of 18-year-olds in India have registered to vote in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, according to Election Commission of India (ECI) data.
Another group of 18-year-olds with friends who say they may vote in the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections take a very different stance. Poorna, a first-year MBBS student, and Shyam, a CA aspirant, state that they are politically conscious. “Even political parties are now posting memes about each other and arguing across reels. And unfortunately, Gen Z gets their updates specifically through this meme culture,” the duo adds. But resistance through memes is not unimportant, Ms. Sankavi notes, as Gen Zers can handle humor and enjoy political satire.
Concerns about SIR
GenZ also had thoughts about the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls. Dharmarajaguru K., a resident of Kodambakkam who is in his mid-twenties, shares his observation that Stand Level Officers are not given adequate training on the SIR process. “With elections just a few months away in Tamil Nadu, why is there suddenly a rush to carry out such a massive exercise in a month? How will daily wage laborers go around and somehow protect their voting rights? The first thought that crosses the mind of any worker is: nothing will change, especially for me, so why should I fight like this?” he adds.
Mr. Shyam and Ms. Poorna had another concern: A significant portion of the Gen Z population actually does not know what the SIR process entails. “Yes, ideally this should clean up the voter roll and make voter rolls more accurate, but we don’t know how effectively this will be done or how far its intended impact will reach,” they add.
As he spoke, his views drifted in different directions, but there was a palpable unease between the words. Yet the young crowd kept returning, almost in unison, to the list of non-negotiables: not only to build a stable career, but also to have less exploitative working conditions, breathe clean air, and live in a system that recognizes mental health, autonomy, and social equality as absolute, basic needs rather than as an afterthought.
It was published – 24 November 2025 06:00 IST
