Ageing in India’s Politics and the Rise of Gerontocracy

• Discussions on ageing in politics have intensified in India, with Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation as Vice-President and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat suggesting leaders should step aside at the age of 75.

• Narendra Modi continues as Prime Minister despite crossing the age of 75, underscoring the lack of a clear retirement norm.

• The BJP’s unofficial age limit of 75 years has been a topic of discussion, with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s age and health being key talking points ahead of the Bihar elections.

• Gerontocracy, defined as rule by a group of old men or a council of elders, has become an important theme in the global discourse on democracy.

• The persistence of gerontocracy is evident even among unelected leaders and dictators, with leaders like Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russia’s Vladimir Putin extending their grip on power for decades.

• The ages of India’s Prime Ministers show a steady upward trend, with the median age of Prime Ministers hovering around 67.

• The median age of Chief Ministers increased modestly, from 57 in the 1950s to 59.5 in the 2020s, with the peak decade being 2010–2020 when it touched 62.25.

• The age profile of the Lok Sabha has shifted markedly over the decades, with the 18th Lok Sabha being the “oldest” yet.

• The share of younger members (25–40 years) declined sharply from about 25-30% in the early years to under 10%.

• The data makes clear that India’s Parliament is ageing, with fewer young politicians making it into the House over time.

Ageing in Indian Politics is important topic for Civil service exam (WBCS).

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