Raksha Khadse Urges 93 University VCs for Youth Leadership in ‘Viksit Bharat 2027’

18 Sep Raksha Khadse Urges 93 University VCs for Youth Leadership in ‘Viksit Bharat 2027’

✎ Higher education institutions are strategic partners in India’s youth-centric governance model, with their leadership pivotal in driving participation in *Nasha Mukt Abhiyan* and *Yuva Connect Programme* to foster leadership…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations (Role of institutions in policy implementation)  |  GS Paper III — Human Resource Development (Higher Education and Skill Development)
• Prelims: National Youth Policy 2021, Developed India @2047, Yuva Sahakar Scheme, National Service Scheme (NSS), National Youth Parliament Scheme, Mechanism for Youth Leadership Development
• Essay: Role of educational institutions in nation-building, Youth as agents of social change: challenges and opportunities

Quick Revision: Higher education institutions are strategic partners in India’s youth-centric governance model, with their leadership pivotal in driving participation in *Nasha Mukt Abhiyan* and *Yuva Connect Programme* to foster leadership, social responsibility, and national development.

Why is this in the news?

The Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Ms. Raksha Khadse, chaired a high-level meeting with the Vice-Chancellors of 93 universities on 18 September 2026 to enhance participation in two key youth-centric initiatives: *Nasha Mukt Abhiyan* (Drug-Free Campaign), and *Yuva Connect Programme*. The meeting underscored the critical role of higher education institutions in fostering youth leadership, community engagement, and policy discourse as part of India’s vision for *Developed India @2047*.

Background

• The *Developed India @2047* vision, articulated by the Government of India, aims to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, marking the centenary of its independence. This vision necessitates the active participation of all societal segments, particularly youth, who constitute approximately 68% of India’s population.
• The *National Youth Policy 2021* emphasizes the empowerment of youth through leadership, skill development, and social engagement, aligning with constitutional principles of participative governance enshrined in Articles 38, 39, and 46.
• The *Yuva Connect Programme* is designed to bridge the gap between youth aspirations and opportunities by facilitating mentorship, internships, and skill development, thereby enhancing employability and civic engagement.
• The *Nasha Mukt Abhiyan* (Drug-Free Campaign) is a nationwide initiative launched to combat substance abuse among youth, recognizing its adverse impact on public health, social cohesion, and national productivity.
• Higher education institutions (HEIs) in India, including central, state, deemed, and private universities, play a pivotal role in shaping youth perspectives, fostering critical thinking, and promoting civic responsibility through curricular and extracurricular activities.

Key Youth-Centric Initiatives and the Role of University Leadership

• **Nasha Mukt Abhiyan (Drug-Free Campaign)**:** A multi-stakeholder initiative to combat substance abuse among youth through awareness campaigns, counseling, and rehabilitation. Universities are tasked with conducting anti-drug drives, organizing workshops, and integrating drug education into curricula to sensitize students and communities. The campaign aligns with the *National Drug Demand Reduction Programme* under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• **Yuva Connect Programme**:** A mentorship and skill development initiative designed to connect youth with opportunities in entrepreneurship, employment, and social innovation. Universities are expected to act as nodal centers for disseminating information, facilitating internships, and organizing career guidance sessions to bridge the gap between education and employability.
• **Role of University Leadership**:** Vice-Chancellors and academic administrators are positioned as key enablers in mobilizing youth participation. Their responsibilities include: (a) institutionalizing youth leadership programs, (b) integrating civic engagement into academic curricula, (c) fostering partnerships with government agencies and civil society, and (d) creating platforms for dialogue and innovation.
• **Constitutional and Policy Framework**:** The initiatives are grounded in constitutional directives such as Article 51A (Fundamental Duties), which emphasizes the duty of every citizen to promote scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry. The *National Youth Policy 2021* further reinforces the state’s obligation to empower youth through education, skill development, and civic participation.
• **Collaborative Governance**:** The meeting highlighted the need for a multi-tiered governance model involving central ministries (Youth Affairs and Sports, Education, Social Justice), state governments, HEIs, and civil society organizations to ensure the success of these initiatives.
• **Impact on Nation-Building**:** Active participation of universities in these initiatives is expected to yield long-term benefits, including enhanced youth leadership, reduced substance abuse, improved employability, and stronger community ties, thereby contributing to the realization of *Developed India @2047*.

Key Features

Feature	Significance
विकसित भारत यंग लीडर्स डायलॉग 2027	A national platform designed to engage youth in leadership, policy discourse, and nation-building, aligning with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ by fostering intergenerational collaboration and creative solutions.
नशा मुक्त अभियान	A campaign aimed at creating awareness and fostering youth leadership in combating substance abuse, addressing a critical social and health challenge through community engagement and institutional participation.
युवा कनेक्ट कार्यक्रम	An initiative to bridge the gap between youth and opportunities, facilitating skill development, employment linkages, and civic participation through structured interventions in higher education institutions.
मेरो युवा भारत (MY Bharat)	A youth-centric platform under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, designed to promote volunteerism, leadership, and community service among young citizens.
राष्ट्रीय सेवा योजना (NSS)	A long-standing government scheme that integrates community service with education, fostering social responsibility and civic engagement among college students.

Why it Matters

Governance and Institutional Collaboration

• Enhances synergy between higher education institutions and government initiatives, leveraging academic leadership for national development goals.
• Promotes a culture of youth participation in governance through structured dialogues and leadership opportunities.
• Strengthens the role of universities as catalysts for social change and community development.

Youth Empowerment and Nation-Building

• Aligns with the constitutional directive of promoting the welfare of youth (Article 39(f)) by providing platforms for skill development and leadership.
• Encourages intergenerational knowledge transfer, fostering a collaborative ecosystem for national progress.
• Supports the realization of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ by integrating youth aspirations with policy frameworks.

Social and Health Interventions

• Addresses critical social issues such as substance abuse through targeted campaigns and institutional engagement.
• Promotes health and well-being among youth by fostering awareness and preventive measures in educational settings.
• Leverages academic institutions as hubs for community outreach and social impact.

Policy Implementation and Monitoring

• Facilitates the implementation of government schemes by ensuring active participation from key stakeholders like vice-chancellors and university leadership.
• Provides a feedback mechanism for assessing the effectiveness of youth-centric initiatives and their outreach.
• Encourages accountability and transparency in the execution of national programs.

Challenges

1. Limited Institutional Participation

• Ensuring sustained and meaningful participation from diverse higher education institutions across the country.
• Addressing disparities in resource allocation and institutional capacity among central, state, and private universities.

UPSC Link: GS Paper 2: Governance

2. Awareness and Outreach Gaps

• Bridging the knowledge gap among students and faculty regarding government schemes and their participation avenues.
• Overcoming communication barriers to ensure equitable access to opportunities for all socio-economic groups.

UPSC Link: GS Paper 2: Governance

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Developing robust mechanisms to track the impact of youth engagement initiatives on ground.
• Ensuring that participation translates into tangible outcomes for youth development and national progress.

UPSC Link: GS Paper 2: Governance

4. Resource Constraints

• Addressing the financial and logistical challenges in scaling up programs across a large number of institutions.
• Ensuring adequate funding and infrastructure support for sustained implementation.

UPSC Link: GS Paper 2: Governance

5. Behavioral and Cultural Barriers

• Overcoming resistance to change in traditional academic settings to embrace new paradigms of youth leadership.
• Encouraging a shift from passive participation to active leadership and community engagement among students.

UPSC Link: GS Paper 4: Ethics

6. Inter-Ministerial Coordination

• Ensuring seamless collaboration between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and other ministries for integrated outcomes.
• Avoiding duplication of efforts and ensuring a unified approach to youth development.

UPSC Link: GS Paper 2: Governance

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Low Awareness	Insufficient dissemination of information about government schemes among students and faculty.
Resource Disparities	Unequal access to infrastructure and funding across different types of universities.
Monitoring Deficits	Lack of real-time data on participation and impact of youth-centric initiatives.
Cultural Resistance	Traditional academic cultures may not prioritize community engagement or leadership roles.
Policy Fragmentation	Potential overlap or gaps in implementation due to lack of inter-ministerial coordination.
Sustainability Concerns	Risk of initiatives losing momentum after initial enthusiasm without structured follow-up.

Government Initiatives — Must-Memorise for Prelims

• विकसित भारत यंग लीडर्स डायलॉग 2027
• नशा मुक्त अभियान
• युवा कनेक्ट कार्यक्रम
• राष्ट्रीय सेवा योजना (NSS)

Way Forward

• Conduct regional workshops and webinars to sensitize university leadership and faculty about the objectives and modalities of the three initiatives.
• Develop a standardized framework for monitoring and evaluating the participation and impact of students in these programs.
• Establish a dedicated nodal agency within each university to coordinate and streamline youth-centric activities.
• Introduce incentive mechanisms, such as recognition awards or grants, for universities demonstrating exemplary participation and outcomes.
• Strengthen inter-ministerial coordination to ensure a unified approach and avoid duplication of efforts in youth development programs.
• Leverage digital platforms and social media to create awareness and facilitate easy access to participation avenues for students.
• Encourage universities to integrate these initiatives into their academic calendars and curricula for sustained engagement.
• Promote research and documentation of best practices from participating institutions to inform policy and scale successful models.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ vision:
1. It is a long-term developmental framework aimed at transforming India into a developed nation by 2047.
2. The framework emphasizes the active participation of youth in nation-building.
3. The ‘Yuva Leaders Dialogue 2027’ is a flagship initiative under this vision.
4. The vision is solely focused on economic growth and does not include social or educational dimensions.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. Only three
4. All

Answer: Only three — Statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct as they align with the stated objectives of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, including youth participation and the ‘Yuva Leaders Dialogue 2027’. Statement 4 is incorrect because the vision encompasses social and educational dimensions as well.

Q2. Assertion (A): The ‘Yuva Leaders Dialogue 2027’ is designed to provide a platform for youth to engage with policymakers and experts.
Reason (R): The programme aims to foster creative solutions and leadership among young leaders.

In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?

1. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
3. A is true, but R is false
4. A is false, but R is true

Answer: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and the Reason (R) correctly explains the Assertion (A). The ‘Yuva Leaders Dialogue 2027’ is indeed a platform for youth engagement with policymakers and experts to foster leadership and creative solutions.

Q3. Match the following programmes with their respective objectives:

Column I
A. Nasha Mukt Abhiyan
B. Yuva Connect Programme
C. My India Youth Programme
D. National Service Scheme (NSS)

Column II
1. Creating awareness and empowering youth leadership against substance abuse
2. Providing opportunities to connect youth with skill development and employment
3. Engaging youth in nation-building through community service and social responsibility
4. Fostering a sense of national pride and patriotism among youth

Select the correct match:

1. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
2. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
3. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
4. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1

Answer: A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3 — The correct match is: A-1 (Nasha Mukt Abhiyan aims at awareness and leadership against substance abuse), B-2 (Yuva Connect Programme connects youth with opportunities), C-4 (My India Youth Programme fosters national pride), and D-3 (NSS engages youth in community service).

Mains Practice Question

✍ The engagement of higher educational institutions in youth-centric national programmes is critical for achieving the objectives of ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’. In this context, critically examine the role of university leadership in fostering youth participation in programmes such as the ‘Yuva Leaders Dialogue 2027’, ‘Nasha Mukt Abhiyan’, and ‘Yuva Connect Programme’. Also, analyse the constitutional and policy frameworks that enable such collaborations. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:

1. **Introduction (2 Marks)**
– Define ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’ and its objectives.
– Highlight the significance of youth participation in national development.
– Mention the three programmes: ‘Yuva Leaders Dialogue 2027’, ‘Nasha Mukt Abhiyan’, and ‘Yuva Connect Programme’.

2. **Role of University Leadership (5 Marks)**
– **Yuva Leaders Dialogue 2027**: Universities as incubators for future leaders; fostering dialogue between youth, policymakers, and experts.
– **Nasha Mukt Abhiyan**: Universities as hubs for awareness campaigns, peer-led initiatives, and research on substance abuse.
– **Yuva Connect Programme**: Universities as bridges between academic excellence and skill development/employment opportunities.
– **Community Engagement**: Role of universities in extending these initiatives beyond campuses to local communities.

3. **Constitutional and Policy Frameworks (5 Marks)**
– **Article 51A (Fundamental Duties)**: Emphasis on promoting scientific temper and humanism.
– **National Education Policy (NEP) 2020**: Focus on holistic development, skill enhancement, and community engagement.
– **National Youth Policy 2014**: Objectives of youth empowerment, leadership, and social responsibility.
– **University Grants Commission (UGC) Guidelines**: Mandates for community service and social outreach programmes.

4. **Challenges and Way Forward (3 Marks)**
– Challenges: Lack of awareness, resource constraints, bureaucratic hurdles.
– Solutions: Strengthening institutional mechanisms, incentivizing participation, leveraging technology for outreach.
– Conclude with the importance of collaborative governance between universities, government, and civil society.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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