Ctrl + Change Labs
Rebooting Democracy
A two-day Political Leadership Lab for Gen Z, ready to lead the change!
Gen Z isn't just watching politics, you're setting the mood of the nation. The recent events proved it: this generation is paying attention, showing up, and demanding better.
But here's the problem: universities are mostly apolitical, and the political spaces that do exist are stuck in echo chambers, team right vs. team left, with zero room for real dialogue.
We're building something different.
A political leadership lab made for Gen Z, by people who get it.
Two days.
Multiple cities.
Sharpen your thinking, learn to hold complexity, debate people who disagree with you, and walk out ready to lead change.
Young people are ready and want in. This is just the start, and where we go next depends on you.
Show up. Practice. Shape what's next.
Why apply to Ctrl + Change Lab?
Understand different political ideologies
Build your public narrative
Visualize your own political pathway
Practices to strengthen dialogue
Action Plan
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My "Why" What actually pulls me toward public leadership? Getting honest about my own motivations, values, and purpose.
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Understanding Ideologies How do different political ideologies shape governance, policy, and everyday life around me?
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Engaging Beyond the Vote What does real participation look like, community action, civic engagement, and everything democracy asks of me between elections?
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Finding My Path Grassroots organising, local governance, party politics, public service which route into leadership fits who I am?
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Dialogue That Holds Can I listen deeply, engage across difference, disagree respectfully, and build trust in a polarised world?
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Leading With Integrity Building the self-awareness, resilience, and ethical grounding to lead with empathy and courage.
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Owning My Narrative Turning my story into something that connects to a larger purpose and saying it with clarity and conviction.
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My Next Step Turning everything I've learned into a real roadmap for showing up for my community and democracy.
Who is it for?
40-50 Participants per Lab | Gen Z (Preferably under 25)
We're looking for young people who are restless about the state of things, who aren't okay with business as usual, who care about where the country's headed and are ready to learn how to actually do something about it.
Preferred Profiles:
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University Students
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Young Professionals
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Activists & Community Organizers
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Journalists & Media Voices
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Civil Society Changemakers
Know someone who should be shaping the country's politics? Nominate them — we'll personally reach out and invite them to register.
Registration Process
Applicants must register on the ISD website and complete the online registration form.
Selected applicants will then be invited to a virtual interview.
Delhi Lab: 29-30 August, 2026
Mumbai, Bangalore, Patna, Pune, Guwahati and other cities (Dates - TBA)
Post-Labs across the country, the selected few will be invited for a phase 2 residential political leadership program.
Contribution
We believe this political leadership lab should be accessible to everyone, regardless of financial background.
The actual cost is ₹5,000 per participant, but we run on trust: contribute anywhere between ₹500–5,000 based on what you can afford. Can't cover that? We'll help.
The invitation is based only on your hunger and potential, never your ability to pay.
This is part of a larger experiment at Indian School of Democracy: building collective, co-owned spaces where access is never a barrier.
Registrations for Round 1 close 15th August, 2026. Apply early. Spots are limited.