EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 10K Indian Voices survey was designed to capture the sentiment of a student cohort representative of the largest youth population in the world. The groundbreaking survey – one of the biggest of its kind – explores how the so-called ‘Generation Z’ demographic in India perceives the world around them through the lens of academic and professional aspirations, the influence of social media, social activism and sustainability, and the impact of the pandemic.

The findings of our 10K Indian Voices survey indicate a shift in perspectives – while the desire to study at a branded university that results in promising professional prospects remains firmly in place, a keen awareness of global challenges with regards to hunger and poverty has emerged, along with the role youth can play to help address them.

AMONG THE KEY FINDINGS:

A SHIFT IN ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVES

• Many in the surveyed group aspire to pursue a career of choice, rather than be limited to more traditional professional pathways that ensure a high salary or networking opportunities • In a similar vein, there is a growing desire to pursue their passion through higher education • However, at the same time, many survey respondents want to study at a renowned university and, after graduation, work at a reputable company

GREATER AWARENESS OF THE WORLD AND ITS CHALLENGES

• Ninety-three percent of survey respondents said they thought about sustainability daily, with

Quality Education, Zero Hunger and No Poverty seen as the most important SDGs • Making a difference in the world was cited by survey respondents as a priority • In addition, survey respondents expressed passion about social causes

YOUR VOICE MATTERS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A FOCUS ON THEIR PERSONAL LIVES DURING VOLATILE TIMES

• Surveyed students said they have been negatively impacted by COVID-19, both in terms of their online learning experiences as well as their mental health • Career growth was cited as their most pressing issue by 39 percent of surveyed students, followed by their mental health (21%) and their education (21%) • Seventy-three percent of surveyed students use two or more social media platforms, with 96 percent of respondents using Instagram. Sixty percent of surveyed students spent 1-4 hours on social media, with 18 percent clocking in at over 4 hours daily

TAKEAWAYS FOR UNIVERSITIES TO ADDRESS NEEDS OF GEN-Z INDIAN STUDENTS

• Focus on application-oriented practical learning rather than theory • Help students develop skills rather than achieve mere placements • Include Sustainable Development Goals in the curriculum • Supplement existing learning models to address possible academic setbacks that occurred with online classes during the pandemic • Prioritise the mental and emotional health of students