Political Awareness among College Students: A Case Study from West Bengal

Political awareness among youth plays a crucial role in strengthening democratic governance and civic participation. In a diverse and dynamic democracy like India, college students represent a significant segment of politically active citizens whose awareness shapes future political trajectories. This study examines the level, determinants, and implications of political awareness among college students in West Bengal, focusing on Purba Bardhaman district. The research adopts a descriptive and analytical design using primary data collected through a structured questionnaire from 200 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation across gender, discipline, and socio-economic background. Political awareness in this study includes knowledge of political institutions, electoral processes, public policies, and the ability to critically interpret political information. The findings indicate that students possess moderate levels of political awareness, particularly regarding elections and major political parties. However, there is a noticeable gap in deeper understanding of constitutional provisions and policy frameworks. Social media has emerged as the primary source of political information, significantly influencing students’ perceptions (Garimella & Eckles, 2020). While it enhances access to information, it also contributes to misinformation and superficial engagement. The study also reveals that students from humanities and social science backgrounds demonstrate higher awareness levels compared to science students. Rural-urban disparities persist, with urban students exhibiting greater access to political information. Despite moderate awareness, active political participation remains limited, indicating a disconnect between knowledge and engagement (Verba et al., 1995). The study concludes that enhancing political awareness requires strengthening civic education, promoting critical thinking, and improving media literacy among students. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on youth political behavior and provide insights for policymakers and educators aiming to foster informed and responsible citizenship in India.