A two day policy dialogue focused on strengthening youth engagement and volunteer programmes concluded in Bengaluru on 7 March 2026 with officials outlining strategies to expand grassroots participation and improve programme implementation across the country.
The MY Bharat National Service Scheme Chintan Shivir, organised by the Department of Youth Affairs under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, was held at the Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine inStem. The event brought together senior officials and field level functionaries from MY Bharat and the National Service Scheme to deliberate on strengthening youth mobilisation frameworks aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The meeting was attended by Mansukh Mandaviya and Raksha Khadse along with representatives from several states and union territories. Participants shared field experiences and best practices aimed at strengthening youth participation, expanding volunteer networks and improving programme delivery mechanisms.
The discussions built upon the deliberations held during the first day of the event under the theme Samvaad Se Samadhaan and focused on translating ideas into practical action under the theme Samadhaan Se Sankalp. The second day began with thematic breakout sessions structured as collaborative policy laboratories where participants designed solutions to enhance youth outreach and institutional coordination.
Officials and field representatives presented case studies highlighting successful initiatives and challenges encountered in implementing youth programmes across different regions. These presentations were followed by joint discussions aimed at refining strategies and aligning implementation approaches among states and institutions working in youth development.
Addressing the gathering, Raksha Nikhil Khadse emphasised that effective youth development requires strong grassroots engagement and functional implementation rather than excessive dependence on financial resources. She urged district and regional offices of MY Bharat and the National Service Scheme to expand outreach efforts up to the Gram Sabha level so that youth programmes reach villages and empower young people across rural India.
She acknowledged that implementing large scale youth initiatives can involve challenges but said such obstacles should be viewed as opportunities to improve systems and strengthen commitment. She called upon officials to work with determination and focus in order to translate policy vision into tangible outcomes that benefit young citizens.
Earlier, Maneesha S Inamdar welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of dialogue based platforms for policy development. She noted that meaningful solutions often emerge through collaboration and exchange of ideas among stakeholders, much like scientific research where dialogue leads to innovation.
Summarising the outcomes of the discussions, Pallavi Jain Govil said the Chintan Shivir had provided a valuable platform for constructive engagement between policymakers and field officials working in youth development programmes. She thanked Mansukh Mandaviya and Raksha Khadse for their continued guidance and support to initiatives aimed at empowering young citizens.
She also encouraged departments and institutions to collaborate more closely through the MY Bharat platform and strengthen partnerships that promote youth participation, volunteerism and leadership development across the country.
During the concluding session, officials and districts that demonstrated exemplary performance in youth engagement initiatives were recognised for their efforts. Anil Kumar from Kerala was felicitated for best performance in National Voters Day 2026.
Santhil Kumar from Tamil Nadu was honoured for best state performance in the Budget Quest 2026 quiz initiative designed to promote awareness about the Union Budget among young citizens.
At the district level, A Nagalakshmi from Bengaluru Urban in Karnataka was recognised for the best district performance in Budget Quest 2026. Siva MS from Chennai in Tamil Nadu received recognition for the second best district performance, while Khushboo Gupta from Hyderabad in Telangana was awarded for the third best district performance in the initiative.
Officials said these recognitions highlight the growing momentum of youth engagement initiatives across states and districts and demonstrate the important role played by field level administrators in mobilising young citizens for national development.
The deliberations concluded with participants reaffirming their commitment to the guiding principles of Sampark Se Samvaad Samvaad Se Samadhaan and Samadhaan Se Sankalp. The participants emphasised that stronger communication, dialogue driven solutions and collective commitment would be essential for empowering India’s young generation as active partners in nation building.
