50% Gen Z interested in joining politics, social media top choice for political news consumption: Report

The poll saw an overwhelming 85.4 percent of the respondents supporting the implementation of a mandatory retirement age for politicians

Around 50 percent of the Gen-Z population, aged between 16 and 25, expressed interest in participating in politics, according to a poll conducted by social media platform Hunch.

Further, Prime Minister Narendra Modi holds strong favour among 65.8 percent of Gen Z individuals, according to feedback from over 25,000 respondents between March 15, 2024 and April 14. Additionally, a substantial 65.5 percent perceive him as the most formidable candidate, while Rahul Gandhi trails significantly behind with just 19.2 percent support.

Regarding preferred mediums for following political news, social media emerged as the top  choice, garnering 62.9 percent of votes, followed by TV news (24.6 percent) and newspapers (12.5 percent).

ALSO READ | Only 7% colleges managed 100% placement: Report

“Gen Z demonstrates a keen interest in politics to drive societal transformation. They are focused on tackling pressing issues such as fostering job opportunities, driving technological innovation for a more modern India, and eradicating corruption at all levels. This generation exhibits a strong aspiration to make meaningful contributions to society through politics, emphasising initiatives that facilitate progress and address present-day challenges,” Ish Goel, Co-Founder and CEO of Hunch, told Moneycontrol.

The poll saw an overwhelming 85.4 percent of the respondents supporting the implementation of a mandatory retirement age for politicians. This result underlines the young generation’s desire for a more dynamic political landscape, advocating for fresh leadership beyond entrenched incumbents,

The user-generated poll on Hunch focused on the dynamics of power among women in politics, with results split among respondents, with Smriti Irani securing 32.1 percent of votes, while Mamta Banerjee led with 26.8 percent. Nirmala Sitharaman and Droupadi Murmu also featured prominently, showcasing the diversity of influential female leaders in politics.

ALSO READ | Juniors may beat senior colleagues in salary hikes this year: Study