Sudhanshu Kaushik is a globally recognized youth leader, whose work across India and the Indian diaspora has advanced the cause of democracy at both grassroots and institutional levels. Through the organizations he founded and leads — the Young India Foundation (YIF), the Centre for Youth Policy (CYP) and the North American Association of Indian Students (NAAIS) — he has built inclusive platforms that have empowered young people to participate meaningfully in democratic life. At a time when youth are underrepresented in Indian governance, YIF has registered over one million first-time voters and helped over 100 young candidates, including those from marginalized castes and communities, contest and win local elections.
As executive director of NAAIS, Sudhanshu has also mobilized over 800,000 Indian-origin students across the U.S. He has led campaigns to reverse discriminatory visa policies, secure funding and legal protections for international students, and activate diaspora youth as civic participants in both American and Indian contexts.
Sudhanshu’s work has been recognized by major media outlets such as CNN, The Times of India, The Print, Youth Ki Awaaz and Outlook India, amplifying the call for youth-led democracy. He has delivered keynote addresses at the United Nations, TEDx and international youth summits. His debut book, The Future is Ours (HarperCollins, 2023), has become a seminal text on youth political identity in India.
