The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya reiterated the Government’s strong commitment to empower the youth to act as catalysts of national development and as partners in nation-building and encouraging them to contribute as ambassadors of progress in achieving the vision of a Developed India by 2047.

Recognising the transformative role of young people, the Department of Youth Affairs various programmes aimed at fostering leadership, community engagement, and positive youth development.

The Department, through its flagship youth organisations— MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat), Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD) and various schemes including National Service Scheme (NSS), National Programme for Youth and Adolescent development (NPYAD), International Cooperation (IC) scheme has undertaken several initiatives for capacity building, leadership development and nation-building activities among youth. These include youth leadership programmes, entrepreneurship and innovation exposure, capacity building, experiential learning programmes, voluntary programmes, social development campaigns and community service. These initiatives aim to equip young people with the skills, values, and opportunities necessary to contribute meaningfully to the national vision of Developed India–2047.

In addition, NSS engages youth through a structured volunteer-based scheme. NSS organizes 15 National Integration Camps (NICs) annually across the country with 200 selected volunteers per camp to promote unity, cultural diversity, patriotism and national integration. The National Youth Festival, redesigned as Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD), featured 2,500 participants in 2025 at the national level in Delhi, including innovators and volunteers, with over 6 crore online viewers. In the 2026 edition, around 33,50,000 youth participated in the quiz. The National Youth Parliament Festival (NYPF) engages lakhs of youth at the district and state levels, selecting 80–95 winners for the National level annually.

The Government through its various schemes and National youth policy has consistently encouraged youth to work diligently, embrace innovation and participate in nation-building so that their potential is recognised globally. Various platforms and programmes sensitise youth on the importance of hard work, innovation and active participation in economic and social development processes. The Department promotes these objectives through programmes such as:

 • Youth Leadership and Personality Development Programmes conducted by MY Bharat, NSS and RGNIYD;

• Skill, innovation, and entrepreneurship exposure programmes under MY Bharat;

• National Youth Festivals, District Youth Conventions and campaigns promoting nation-building, social responsibility, and community engagement;

• Activities that inspire youth to take initiative, contribute to local problem-solving, and gain recognition at national and international forums.

• International Youth Exchange Programmes (IYEPs), Other Multilateral International Meetings / Summits / Conferences etc.

Under various schemes of the Department, the following achievements have been recorded:

• National Service Scheme (NSS): Over 3.9 million NSS volunteers are engaged annually in community service, social awareness programmes, and development activities. In addition, NSS organizes National Integration Camps (NIC) annually with 200 selected volunteers per camp to promote cultural diversity, patriotism and national integration through social service. The VBYLD (2025) featured 2,500 participants including innovators and volunteers with over 6 crore online viewers. The 2026 edition saw over 50 lakh youth in Phase-I quizzes. The National Youth Parliament Festival engages lakhs of youth at district/state levels, selecting 80–95 state winners annually.

• MY Bharat: MY Bharat engages youth through programmes on skill development, community service, Fit India, cleanliness, disaster preparedness, and social awareness.

• MY Bharat platform enables young people to access volunteering, leadership, and employability initiatives.

• National Youth Festival called Viksit Bharat Youth leaders dialogue (VBYLD), Yuva Connect Programe, National Youth Awards and other youth engagement events at national and international level contribute to youth leadership, entrepreneurship exposure and constructive participation in national development.

This information was given by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in reply to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha by Sh. Neeraj Maurya.

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Pawan Singh Faujdar

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