‘India’s Next Generation Strategic Thinkers 2025’ will be selected by India’s World Magazine & Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service (SSIFS), Ministry of External Affairs, through a National Essay Competition and an interaction with an eminent jury.
We invite Indian nationals aged 20–30 to present original, policy-driven ideas on India’s foreign policy and its evolving role in the world. The competition offers winners national recognition, publication avenues, cash prizes, opportunities to engage with leading Indian Strategic thinkers, and an invitation to present their essays at the India’s World Conclave 2025 in New Delhi.
Top 3 winners will each receive ₹30,000, publication in India’s World (print + online), and a chance to present their ideas at the India’s World Conclave 2025. They will be inducted into the India’s Next Generation Strategic Thinkers Network (INGST) – a curated cohort for mentorship, collaboration, and future opportunities.
The top 10 finalists will have their essays published on India’s World’s website and they will be inducted into the India’s Next Generation Strategic Thinkers Network (INGST).
India’s World is a magazine and website for international affairs with an Indian perspective. It is India’s premier platform for incisive and independent discussions on international affairs. Inaugurated by Hon’ble External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in December 2024, the magazine brings together global and Indian perspectives on diplomacy, strategy, and foreign policy.
The Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service is India’s Premier institution for training diplomats. It was established in 1986 by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. It plays a vital role in shaping the country’s foreign policy apparatus through rigorous academic and practical instruction. The Dean of SSIFS will chair the jury for this competition.
India’s Next Strategic Thinkers will be selected by a distinguished Jury. The jury will shortlist the top ten finalists, host a virtual interaction with them, and select the final three winners.
The 2025 Jury
Dean Foreign Service Institute, Chair of the Jury
Member, UPSC; former Ambassador to Spain & Andorra, and multiple key diplomatic postings
Former Secretary (East) Ministry of External Affairs, Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh
Chair, Editorial Advisory Board, India’s World
Former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Indian Army
Editor, India’s World
The post-World War II order is fracturing. Traditional powers are struggling, and a new global system is emerging, its shape still uncertain. Amid this shift, India has a rare opening to expand its influence. In a world of multipolar rivalry, fragmented institutions, climate urgency, technological leaps, and contested global norms, India’s choices carry growing weight.
This year’s National Essay Competition challenges participants to critically examine how India can influence and lead in a rapidly changing international order marked by multipolarity, technological disruption, climate urgency, and contested global norms
For shortlisted candidates
Top 10 Finalists
New Delhi
1. Aadhav Krishna S
2. Aarushi Shekhar
3. Aarya Ratnakar P. Sardesai
4. Aaryan Agarwal
5. Aavanish
6. Abhinav Panwar
7. Abhishek Chotia
8. Abhishek Das
9. Aditi Chauhan
10. Aditi Saxena
11. Adwita Dixit
12. Akankshya Das
13. Akash Tiwari
14. Aman J Thomas
15. Ambuj Sahu
16. Amina Reem VP
17. Amit Kumar
18. Ammu S
19. Ananya Jagoorie
20. Anurag Inamdar
21. Anushka Saxena
22. Anushree Goel
23. Archana Girish Kamath
24. Archit Vyas
25. Arundhati Bhatia
26. Arunima Lahiri
27. Arushi Singh
28. Astitva Singh
29. Bandish Oza
30. Bantirani Patro
31. Bhavya Aggarwal
32. Binni Kumari
33. C S Yamini
34. Chaitanya Deshpande
35. Damini Verma
36. Femy Francis
37. Harisundar Kumar
38. Harshvardhan Singh Sikarwar
39. Himanshu Khanna
40. Hoimontick Gogoi
41. Ifrah Kawa
42. Jahnavi Sodhi
43. Jaishreenidhi K V
44. Jatin Gora
45. Julia Jose Thachil
46. Kaamya Daga
47. Khushi Vaid
48. Khyati Awade
49. Kiran Bisht
50. Krishanu Ranwan
51. Krutika Reddy
52. Kshitij Singh
53. Lokendra Sharma
54. Manashjyoti Karjee
55. Manav Gudwani
56. Mannya Mannya
57. Mansi sharma
58. Mehul Jaju
59. Meyitir Imsong
60. Navodita Kumari
61. Neetu Yadav
62. Nidhi Kondejkar
63. Pavithra SR
64. Prashasti Bhatnagar
65. Prisha Kirit Patel
66. Raghav Ghei
67. Rahana Sherin K V
68. Ratish Mehta
69. Renuka Sujit Jadhav
70. Rishabh Yadav
71. Ritika Singhal
72. Rohit Bhatachaarya
73. Sahil Mittal
74. Samanvaya Saraswat
75. Samik Chakraborty
76. Sanchaly Bhattacharya
77. Sanghamitra Kashyap
78. Sarmin Rahman
79. Shabrina Khan
80. Shivank Singh Chauhan
81. Shourya Singh
82. Shree Gupta
83. Shreshth Sharma
84. Shreyas Shende
85. Shubham Vishwanath Bhat
86. Siddharth Shankar
87. Somya Maan
88. Soumya JM
89. Sourav Biswas
90. Sweekriti Pathak
91. Srijan Srivastava
92. Surbhi Chakraborty
93. Sushovan Chakraborty
94. Swadha Rawat
95. Vani Dhiman
96. Vaishali
97. Ved Shinde
98. Vineeth Daniel Vinoy
99. Yamini Sharma
100. Yashvi S Barot
All applicants will be contacted for next steps.
Participants can explore suggested topics but are encouraged to explore beyond these prompts. Each entry should align with the overall theme of India’s evolving role in global affairs.
The use of artificial intelligence or machine learning tools — including but not limited to ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude, or similar platforms — for writing, editing, or generating content is strictly prohibited. Submissions will be checked, and those in violation will be disqualified.
Essays will be assessed on:
The top three winners will also be selected based on their interaction with the jury during the top 10 finalist stage.
Indian nationals aged 20–30, from any academic or professional background.
Essays must connect to international affairs, strategic analysis, technology, or India’s foreign policy, aligned with the 2025 theme: How Can India Contribute to the Emerging World Order?
Yes, ₹450 per applicant. All registered participants receive a complimentary print copy of India’s World magazine.
The abstract submission is 250 words. The final essay for shortlisted candidates in 2000 words excluding references.
No. Only individual submissions are allowed.
No. Essays must be original, unpublished, and not under consideration elsewhere
Yes. Top three winners will receive a travel stipend (round-trip within India) and overnight accommodation at a partner hotel for the Conclave.
The top 100 shortlist will be announced on 1 October 2025, the final winners in November 2025, and the top three will present at the India’s World Conclave on 4 December 2025 in New Delhi.
If you’re 30 years and a few months old now, you’re still eligible as long as you are under 31 on the last date for submission.
Yes. As long as you are an Indian national within the eligible age range, you can apply regardless of whether you are studying or working in India or abroad.
The registration for the Essay Competition has now closed. The deadline was 20th September, 2025. Thank you for your interest, and we look forward to your participation in future events.