This year is the 6th iteration of the Democracy Express. It will be a 9-day immersive political learning journey through the Northeast region of Bodoland (Assam) and Shillong (Meghalaya) with 40 young political leaders who will be selected from various states of India.
Often seen as distant from national politics, the Northeast holds profound lessons on pluralism, self-governance, identity, and resilience. From the Bodo peace process to youth-led socio-poltiical movements in Shillong, its stories challenge and expand our understanding of democracy. In this edition of Democracy Express, participants will journey through the political histories and present realities of the region, learning from community leaders, grassroot organizations, political leaders, activists, and everyday citizens.
They will witness grassroots struggles and successes firsthand, while building concrete political skills in constituency and booth management, campaign design, team building, and narrative shaping. This is a chance to not just see, but to listen deeply, question openly, and grow into value-driven leaders inspired by the people of these lands
Program Dates: 15th to 23rd November 2025
First Deadline for applications : 11th September
Political leaders from all Indian states and UTs can apply!
Why get on the Democracy Express?
The word politics has become stained in today's world.
New and young political leaders face difficulties in understanding how to grow in their political journey, and when elections are getting expensive, there is tough competition within the parties, and not enough opportunities to learn from the experiences of senior political leaders. It’s crucial for young leaders to find spaces of political learning, which the current political landscape doesn’t easily provide. Skill building, reflection spaces, networking and exposure to different political landscapes, a diverse political cohort from across parties and regions will give you a push onwards in your political journey.
At Democracy Express 2025 you will:
Immerse in the political & cultural diversity of the Northeast region
Reclaim politics With Justice & Care
Be a part of community of principled political leaders across the country
Discover and strengthen your personal leadership journey
Build election ready skills such as constituency, campaign and team management
Highlights of
Democracy Express 2024
Democracy Express 2024 was a nine-day immersive learning journey across Maharashtra, coinciding with the Vidhan Sabha elections in the state. A total of 35 participants from 13 states, the cohort engaged deeply with Maharashtra’s political realities and the intricacies of its electoral politics. The journey began in Nagpur, travelled to Mendha Lekha Panchayat in Gadchiroli, and concluded in Sewagram, Wardha. The program aimed for participants to gain a grounded understanding of grassroots democracy, sharpen their political analysis, and strengthen their commitment to politics as a space for public service.
Glimpses of the Program Curriculum
The program is designed to ensure a holistic learning experience for the political leaders. Some of the key offerings include:
Skills & Knowledge
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Learn about regional political history, electoral analysis, and ideologies of the Northeast region.
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Build skills like constituency and booth management, team building, campaign design, image and narrative building, value based leadership
Community
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Engage with progressive leaders and unsung heroes within the political landscape, across cities and villages
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Build a diverse network of young political leaders across political parties
Inner Work
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Reflect on your political purpose and values in your political journey
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Experience processes like immersion, shramdaan, community work with a focus on inner transformation
Who is it for?
40 participants | Age 21 - 35 years
We are looking for young political and grassroots leaders with active on-ground political experience and clear political aspirations.
You could be a : 1) Political party member 2) Local elected representative
3) Student politician 4) Political activist 5) People aspiring to contest
6) Media person
Leaders from different parties, states, genders and social backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Please note that this program will be conducted in English and Hindi. Hence, proficiency (comprehension and conversational) in either of the languages is a must.
Application process
There are 2 rounds in the selection process
Round 1: Application form
Round 2: Video Interview
Speakers of Democracy Express
Anandiben Patel
Governor, UP (BJP)
Asaduddin Owasi
Member of the Lok Sabha
Amul Bhatt
Chairperson,
AMC (BJP)
Anurag Dwary
Resident Editor at NDTV
Atishi
MLA, Delhi (AAP)
Program Contribution
Democracy Express is committed to being an inclusive space for aspiring political leaders from all walks of life. We understand that financial circumstances can differ widely, and we want to ensure that no one is discouraged from applying or participating due to financial reasons.
As a nonpartisan, non-profit initiative, ISD raises funds to support the full cost of the program, which is ₹40,000 per participant. This includes program design, facilitation, accommodation, and travel during the 9-day journey.
To help sustain the program, we invite participants to make a voluntary contribution based on their current financial capacity. The suggested contribution is:
₹8,000 for men
₹3,000 for women, members of the LGBTQI+ community and for people who come from marginalised sections of socitey
Please note that this contribution is entirely voluntary and not contributing will not affect your selection or participation in the program.
We also offer a limited number of need-based scholarships. If you're in a position to raise support through your network, we encourage you to do so, as it helps us allocate scholarships to those most in need. However, this is neither expected nor required.
Your financial situation should not be a barrier—if you're committed to the program, we welcome your application