Democracy Express is a ten-day immersive political learning journey that brings together 50 emerging political leaders from across India to travel, learn and reflect together.
This year, the journey unfolds across Varanasi, Lucknow and Meerut, where participants will experience democracy through communities, public institutions and everyday political life. From grassroots initiatives to governance spaces and public leadership, every place offers a different lens to understand how democracy is lived, negotiated and shaped.
Rooted in immersion, inner work, community and reflection, Democracy Express invites participants to step beyond familiar narratives, engage with diverse perspectives and strengthen both their political understanding and leadership practice.
Alongside community immersions, participants will engage in reflective leadership spaces and practical learning sessions that strengthen their capacities in constituency engagement, public narratives, campaign building and principled leadership .
This is not simply a journey across Uttar Pradesh. It is a journey into the many ways democracy is experienced, and what it asks of those who choose to lead.
Program Dates: 20th to 29th November 2026
Final Deadline for applications : 27th 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 2026 you will:
Immerse in the political & cultural diversity of the Uttar Pradesh
Reclaim politics With Moral Courage & Reimagination
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 2025
Democracy Express 2025 was a nine-day immersive learning journey across Northeast India, bringing together 43 aspiring political leaders from across the country. Travelling through Guwahati, Bodoland, and Shillong, the cohort engaged with the region's diverse political histories, community-led governance, peacebuilding efforts, questions of identity, and grassroots leadership. Through conversations with political representatives, community leaders, civil society organisations, and local citizens, participants explored the many ways democracy is practised and negotiated in everyday life. The journey invited them to deepen their political understanding, engage with perspectives often absent from mainstream discourse, and strengthen their commitment to principled politics as public leadership.
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 Uttar Pradesh 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?
45 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