And young Indians? They’re watching, waiting, and worried. Former NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar recently warned that uncertainty around AI is fueling frustration among youth; especially with unemployment hovering near 20% for 15-29 year olds. The NEET protests weren’t just about exams; they were a roar of anxiety. Why? Because many see AI not as progress, but as a threat to their dreams. Kumar’s solution? Dialogue; real, ongoing conversations between policymakers and the young. And not just talk: youth must be involved in shaping reforms, like Nandan Nilekani’s education task force. Beyond exams, India needs to grow faster than 8%, target double-digit state-level growth, and wake up to global markets. Manufacturing? Stuck at 16% of GDP. Exports? Still under 2%. The fix? State-specific export policies; because what works in Tamil Nadu won’t work in Punjab. Jobs won’t come from waiting; they’ll come from building, exporting, and engaging. India’s future isn’t written yet. But who gets to write it? The answer might lie not in Delhi; but in the classroom, the startup, and the street.