Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called upon states to transform India’s demographic dividend into a development dividend through focused investments in education, skilling and capacity-building, while chairing the 11th Governing Council Meeting of NITI Aayog in New Delhi.

The meeting, held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, was attended by Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators from 28 states and five Union Territories. According to the government, it was the first Governing Council meeting in which Chief Ministers of all 28 states participated. The theme of the meeting was “Inclusive Human Development for Viksit Bharat@2047.”

Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Modi said India’s growth story continues to inspire the world despite economic uncertainty affecting several major economies. He stressed the need to strengthen the country’s resolve towards self-reliance and adopt global best practices, particularly in the renewable energy sector.

Emphasising cooperative federalism, the Prime Minister said the Centre and states must work together to achieve the goal of a developed India by 2047. He noted that the vision of Viksit Bharat should become a collective commitment at every level, from states and districts to blocks and villages.

Highlighting India’s youthful population,PM Modi said nearly 70 crore Indians are below the age of 25, describing them as the country’s greatest asset. He urged states to equip young people with future-ready skills and create opportunities that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to the nation’s development.