The Indian Youth Congress (IYC) is the youth wing of the Indian National Congress, with its national headquarters located at 5 Raisina Hill, New Delhi. As one of the largest democratic youth organizations globally, it boasts a membership base of approximately 50 million members.

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IYC operates as a frontal organization of the Congress party, dedicated to political engagement, social service, and youth empowerment across India.

Founded in the early period following Independence, the Indian Youth Congress was institutionalized as a formal organization in the 1960s. Under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, it evolved into a mass-based mobilization for social work and youth participation. Leadership by Sanjay Gandhi during the 1970s brought a new impetus, with campaigns focused on tree plantation, family planning, and efforts against domestic violence and dowry deaths. Subsequently, Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure led to increasing youth enfranchisement, including the reduction of the voting age to 18 in 1984 Wikipedia.

In 2007–08, Rahul Gandhi was entrusted with organizational reforms, guiding electoral restructuring within IYC and NSUI. The membership surged from 200,000 to over 2.5 million, with the creation of a democratic, multi-tiered electoral system and the formal establishment of a think tank to lead organizational strategy

• Grassroots Mobilization & Civic Action: IYC organizes campaigns and protests around social justice, youth employment, education, secularism, and democratic values. It utilizes methods from candle marches to graffiti, street theatre, and digital advocacy to spotlight youth rights and government accountability.

• Leadership & Development Programs: Initiatives such as the Bharat Jodo Leadership Program, Pehla Vote, and Indira Fellowship engage youth in democratic participation, electoral awareness, and women's empowerment in politics.

• Structural Organization: The IYC has institutionalized a democratic framework with elections at village, mandal, district, state, and national levels—replacing nomination-driven selection to enhance inclusivity and democratic participation.

• Vision: To empower India’s youth to become active agents of change committed to constitutional values, democratic ideals, and inclusive development.

• Mission:

  • Mobilize young Indians across regions and social backgrounds.

  • Champion secularism, socialism, and social justice.

  • Cultivate future leaders through civic engagement and training.

  • Advocate youth-centric policy — from job creation and education to political representation.

IYC has nurtured many prominent Congress leaders—leaders such as Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi, N.D. Tiwari, Manish Tewari, Ambika Soni, Anand Sharma, Mukul Wasnik, and others began their political journeys within the Youth Congress framework. Its vast organizational reach and resilient booth-level network ensure that youth perspectives reach the halls of policymaking and grassroots action alike.