Council on Energy, Environment and Water Integrated | International | Independent
Young India designs 2047: Shaping the language for tomorrow
India in 2047: what does our future look like? India, as a global power in health, technology, innovation, and leading sustainably, requires a language to match its aspirations. The Next Generation India Fellows have created India in Future Tense: 47 Words Shaping 2047, a groundbreaking dictionary that captures the trends and ideas defining India in 2047.
Designed by and for youth, it identifies the concepts, innovations, and values that will lead us into India’s centennial. Through a youth-centered national town hall, focus group discussions, and interviews, this dictionary has emerged as a blueprint for tomorrow’s vocabulary—a tool for translating ambition into action.
It spans themes, from food, ocean, energy, health, technology, the future of the workforce, climate action, and more, forecasting phenomena like the Yottabyte Era. It celebrates uniquely Indian innovations, such as Digital Public Infrastructure, and explores transformative advances like bioprinting and pharmacogenomics. Each of the 47 words is a step toward a future that is inclusive, bold, and driven by youthful energy.
India in Future Tense isn’t just a collection of words—it’s a manifesto for the future, written by those who will inherit it. It’s a testament to India’s ambition, resilience, and promise as it prepares to turn 100.
AI governance refers to policies, processes, and national and global guiding frameworks that steer the use of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to safeguard and regulate their design and deployment.
Bioprinting uses bioinks - natural or synthetic material that is biocompatible - for 3D printing that can, consequently, mimic real tissue.
Blue carbon is the carbon that is absorbed from the atmosphere and stored in the ocean. 'Blue' refers to the colour of the carbon storage in mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses.
Carbon handprint is a new terminology reflecting the opposite of a carbon footprint. It refers to the beneficial environmental impact achieved by an individual, organisation, product, or activity compared to a baseline.
Care economy refers to activities undertaken to extend care and support, particularly within households, that enable individuals, especially women, to participate in the labour economy and in society at large.
Climate risk insurance includes a set of financial instruments that offer protection against losses resulting from extreme weather events.
The creator economy is a growing segment of the current workforce that engages their creative talents on digital platforms for the purposes of gaining a digital audience and receiving compensation.
Culturonomics is a portmanteau of culture and economics, which describes the global transmission of culture through varied mediums such as entertainment, food, sports, and more.
Citizen voice forums are platforms designed to empower individuals to participate in significant discussions.
A digital nomad is someone who uses digital technologies to work remotely while embracing a nomadic lifestyle.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) involves the creation and implementation of essential digital systems, generally managed or overseen by governments.
Energy tracks are innovative surfaces that harness solar energy while providing a functional shaded walking and cycling surface.
A 15-minute city places all essential services within a 15-minute radius of people residing anywhere in the city.
Flox is a versatile, on-demand shared living space designed for remote workers, offering cutting-edge amenities that enhance well-being and efficiency.
Gamification involves incorporating game design, including its mechanics, into non-game contexts to boost participation, well-being and incentive.
Gender bonds are social bonds that steer financing towards women-owned businesses or businesses aimed at reducing gender inequalities by investing in women's health, education, and empowerment.
Heritage hubs are community spaces centered on intergenerational dialogue, which house a repository of material memories and the stories of the people who shape our heritage.
Hyperspectral imaging is a method that extends beyond the visible light spectrum to capture wavelengths such as infrared and ultraviolet, which are invisible to the human eye, thereby increasing the effectiveness of imaging.
The dominant discourse around the future lies in Eurocentric ideas of the world. Indofuturists, influenced by Afrofuturism, assert their vision of the future through Indigenous practices and perspectives.
IntelliFabrics or smart fabrics use technology to enhance the functionality of fabrics. They can monitor health, environmental conditions, and other data and go beyond the capabilities of traditional fabrics.
Jugaad is a colloquial word with roots in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, and it is widely used in India. It refers to quick and innovative problem-solving using limited resources.
Kisaan s(AI)thi are advanced digital assistants designed to provide farmers with tailored advisory services.
Living wage guarantees refer to policies or frameworks that ensure that all workers receive a wage sufficient to cover basic living costs.
Longevity economy is an economic framework focused on products, services, and innovations catering to the needs and aspirations of an ageing population.
A multi-planetary civilisation is a society that has established sustainable human habitats on more than one planet.
Nuclear microreactors are 100 to 1000 times smaller than traditional nuclear reactors, with energy generation capacities ranging from 1 to 20 MW.
Neuroqueer blends “neuro”, relating to neurological diversity, and “queer”, reflecting non-conformity with mainstream gender and sexuality constructs.
One health is a comprehensive approach to understanding public health by recognising that human health is interconnected to animal and environmental health.
Osmotic energy is the energy derived from the process of osmosis, i.e., the natural force generated when freshwater moves towards saltwater through a semipermeable membrane.
Pharmacogenomics is a portmanteau of pharmacology (study of medicines) and genomics (study of genes). It refers to the study of genes and their response to different drug treatments.
Plastivore is an organism designed to consume and decompose plastic waste, aiding in the fight against pollution and helping to restore ecosystems.
Quantum AI represents the merger of quantum computing and AI. Moreover, it involves investigating how AI can be integrated into quantum computers.
Resurrection biology seeks to revive molecular or larger organisms that were once extinct, essentially bringing them back to life.
RoboCare includes advanced robotics and AI that provide personalized care and assistance to older adults and people with disabilities.
Seasteads are floating, self-sustaining townships designed to adapt to rising sea levels. They provide alternative homes that can use the ocean's resources for sustenance.
Sheconomy refers to the impact and potential of women's participation in the economy, recognising women as powerful drivers of growth and innovation.
Space diplomacy involves fostering strong relationships, creating knowledge frameworks, and advancing space capabilities between nations.
Synthfood refers to lab-grown, genetically modified food products that can offer healthier and more sustainable alternatives to conventional agricultural and livestock-based foods.
Tipping points are "critical thresholds in a system that, when exceeded, can lead to a significant change in the state of the system”. Crossing a single tipping point can trigger additional tipping points, leading to a chain reaction - the tipping cascade.
Urban air mobility involves transportation of people and cargo using small aerial systems like drones, aiming to reduce travel time and alleviate congestion in urban areas.
Urban mining is the practice of extracting and repurposing materials from waste generated in cities.
A virtual economy is a digital system where individuals can create, trade, and exchange goods, services, and currencies online.
WiFarms or e-agriculture incorporates information technology to enhance agricultural productivity with an emphasis on strengthening farmers livelihoods, expanding access to information and resources, and increasing yield.
Xenobots are a new type of living, programmable robots created from the cells of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis.
The yottabyte era begins when global data usage reaches one yottabyte.
Youth guarantees refer to policies aimed at ensuring that all young people have access to employment, education, and training opportunities within a specified timeframe, facilitating their transition into the workforce.
Zoonoses are infectious diseases that affect humans, with an origin in animals. They can be transmitted through direct contact, contaminated food or water, or environmental sources.
AI governance refers to policies, processes, and national and global guiding frameworks that steer the use of emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to safeguard and regulate their design and deployment.
Bioprinting uses bioinks - natural or synthetic material that is biocompatible - for 3D printing that can, consequently, mimic real tissue.
Blue carbon is the carbon that is absorbed from the atmosphere and stored in the ocean. 'Blue' refers to the colour of the carbon storage in mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrasses.
Carbon handprint is a new terminology reflecting the opposite of a carbon footprint. It refers to the beneficial environmental impact achieved by an individual, organisation, product, or activity compared to a baseline.
Care economy refers to activities undertaken to extend care and support, particularly within households, that enable individuals, especially women, to participate in the labour economy and in society at large.
Climate risk insurance includes a set of financial instruments that offer protection against losses resulting from extreme weather events.
The creator economy is a growing segment of the current workforce that engages their creative talents on digital platforms for the purposes of gaining a digital audience and receiving compensation.
Culturonomics is a portmanteau of culture and economics, which describes the global transmission of culture through varied mediums such as entertainment, food, sports, and more.
Citizen voice forums are platforms designed to empower individuals to participate in significant discussions.
A digital nomad is someone who uses digital technologies to work remotely while embracing a nomadic lifestyle.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) involves the creation and implementation of essential digital systems, generally managed or overseen by governments.
Energy tracks are innovative surfaces that harness solar energy while providing a functional shaded walking and cycling surface.
A 15-minute city places all essential services within a 15-minute radius of people residing anywhere in the city.
Flox is a versatile, on-demand shared living space designed for remote workers, offering cutting-edge amenities that enhance well-being and efficiency.
Gamification involves incorporating game design, including its mechanics, into non-game contexts to boost participation, well-being and incentive.
Gender bonds are social bonds that steer financing towards women-owned businesses or businesses aimed at reducing gender inequalities by investing in women’s health, education, and empowerment.
Heritage hubs are community spaces centered on intergenerational dialogue, which house a repository of material memories and the stories of the people who shape our heritage.
Hyperspectral imaging is a method that extends beyond the visible light spectrum to capture wavelengths such as infrared and ultraviolet, which are invisible to the human eye, thereby increasing the effectiveness of imaging.
The dominant discourse around the future lies in Eurocentric ideas of the world. Indofuturists, influenced by Afrofuturism, assert their vision of the future through indigenous practices and perspectives.
IntelliFabrics or smart fabrics use technology to enhance the functionality of fabrics. They can monitor health, environmental conditions, and other data and go beyond the capabilities of traditional fabrics.
Jugaad is a colloquial word with roots in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu, and it is widely used in India. It refers to quick and innovative problem-solving using limited resources.
Kisaan s(AI)thi are advanced digital assistants designed to provide farmers with tailored advisory services.
Living wage guarantees refer to policies or frameworks that ensure that all workers receive a wage sufficient to cover basic living costs.
Longevity economy is an economic framework focused on products, services, and innovations catering to the needs and aspirations of an ageing population
A multi-planetary civilisation is a society that has established sustainable human habitats on more than one planet.
Nuclear microreactors are 100 to 1000 times smaller than traditional nuclear reactors, with energy generation capacities ranging from 1 to 20 MW..
Neuroqueer blends “neuro”, relating to neurological diversity, and “queer”, reflecting non-conformity with mainstream gender and sexuality constructs.
One health is a comprehensive approach to understanding public health by recognising that human health is interconnected to animal and environmental health.
Osmotic energy is the energy derived from the process of osmosis, i.e., the natural force generated when freshwater moves towards saltwater through a semipermeable membrane.
Pharmacogenomics is a portmanteau of pharmacology (study of medicines) and genomics (study of genes). It refers to the study of genes and their response to different drug treatments.
Plastivore is an organism designed to consume and decompose plastic waste, aiding in the fight against pollution and helping to restore ecosystems.
Quantum AI represents the merger of quantum computing and AI. Moreover, it involves investigating how AI can be integrated into quantum computers.
Resurrection biology seeks to revive molecular or larger organisms that were once extinct, essentially bringing them back to life.
RoboCare includes advanced robotics and AI that provide personalized care and assistance to older adults and people with disabilities.
Seasteads are floating, self-sustaining townships designed to adapt to rising sea levels. They provide alternative homes that can use the ocean's resources for sustenance.
Sheconomy refers to the impact and potential of women's participation in the economy, recognising women as powerful drivers of growth and innovation.
Space diplomacy involves fostering strong relationships, creating knowledge frameworks, and advancing space capabilities between nations.
Synthfood refers to lab-grown, genetically modified food products that can offer healthier and more sustainable alternatives to conventional agricultural and livestock-based foods.
Tipping points are "critical thresholds in a system that, when exceeded, can lead to a significant change in the state of the system”. Crossing a single tipping point can trigger additional tipping points, leading to a chain reaction - the tipping cascade.
Urban air mobility involves transportation of people and cargo using small aerial systems like drones, aiming to reduce travel time and alleviate congestion in urban areas.
Urban mining is the practice of extracting and repurposing materials from waste generated in cities.
A virtual economy is a digital system where individuals can create, trade, and exchange goods, services, and currencies online.
WiFarms or e-agriculture incorporates information technology to enhance agricultural productivity with an emphasis on strengthening farmers’ livelihoods, expanding access to information and resources, and increasing yield.
Xenobots are a new type of living, programmable robots created from the cells of the African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis.
The yottabyte era begins when global data usage reaches one yottabyte.
Youth guarantees refer to policies aimed at ensuring that all young people have access to employment, education, and training opportunities within a specified timeframe, facilitating their transition into the workforce.
Zoonoses are infectious diseases that affect humans, with an origin in animals. They can be transmitted through direct contact, contaminated food or water, or environmental sources.