Why do Young Urban Indians vote the way they do a study across four States

With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) riding a second victory wave in India in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Centre for Development Policy and Practice (CDPP) embarked on a study to analyse voting behaviour among young urban Indians and their understanding of the nation’s development. The study, supported by Institute of Objective Studies (IoS), looks into major issues that concern urban Indians in the 18-35 age group, while assessing how they feel about inclusive growth, India’s progress since independence, its global reputation, and cases concerning religious polarisation in the country. 
With India entering its 37-year period of demographic dividend, the opinions, aspirations and priorities of the young Indian assume even more significance. To this end, CDPP partnered with Neev Research & Advisory to undertake a comprehensive survey across four Indian states in early 2020, spanning five cities and a total of 2,586 respondents.Neev provided data collection services, gathering responses from young citizens residing in Lucknow, Varanasi, Bhopal, Jaipur and Ahmedabad on a range of issues such as the economy’s performance, abrogation of Article 370, Uniform Civil Code, cow vigilantism, demonetisation, voting preferences, and the Citizenship Amendment Act, among others. Questions on their demographic characteristics and voting behaviour were also posed. The responses have been analysed across various parameters such as the respondents’ age, gender, occupation, education, monthly income and city of residence – essential drivers of the young hindi speaking Indian voter’s identity. 
While this report does not intend to serve as a predictor of future election exercises in any manner, it aims to provide insights into the young urban Indian’s understanding of their identity and India’s development. CDPP trusts this report will help leaders at the state and central levels across all political parties rethink their strategy and priorities such that they align with the young voters’ needs and aspirations. This report also intends to help underline issues regarding religious polarisation that call for affirmative action and creation of counter-narratives, wherever required.