Youth Leadership Is Key To Viksit Bharat
As of January 2026, the Indian government has institutionalized this role through the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue (VBYLD), a national platform where young people engage directly with top policymakers.
Youth leadership is considered the cornerstone of the Viksit Bharat @2047 vision, as India's youth represent the country's greatest national asset for driving innovation, governance, and economic growth.
About Yuva Shakti- A National Asset
India’s greatest national asset due to the country having the largest youth population in the world.
India’s youth, or Yuva Shakti, is widely recognized as the nation’s greatest asset—driving innovation, leadership, and development toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Demographic advantage: India has one of the youngest populations in the world, with over 65% below the age of 35. This creates a massive reservoir of energy, ideas, and workforce potential.
- Innovation and dynamism: Youth are leading in start-ups, technology, sports, and creative industries. PM Modi has emphasized that India’s youth are associated with dynamism, innovation, and determination.
- Global impact: Indian youth are making their mark internationally in science, entrepreneurship, and leadership, showcasing India’s talent on the global stage.
- Nation-building role: Government initiatives like Vision Viksit Bharat@2047 and the Employment Linked Incentive (ELI) Scheme are designed to harness youth power for economic growth.
- Leadership platforms: Programs such as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) provide young Indians with opportunities to shape policy and governance
Core Qualities of Youth Leaders
- Innovation & Fresh Perspectives: Young leaders are often "fitter to invent than to judge," bringing creative solutions to complex problems like climate change and digital ethics.
- Inclusivity & Intersectionality: Modern youth leaders have a high awareness of the intersections between race, class, and gender, leading to more accessible and representative social movements.
- Resilience & Resourcefulness: In the face of limited traditional funding, youth leverage peer networks and digital tools to fill gaps left by governments.
Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD)
The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 is the second edition of a national initiative reimagined from the National Youth Festival. Organized by the Department of Youth Affairs, it aims to empower youth aged 15–29 to contribute directly to the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Timeline: The 2026 edition is scheduled for January 9–12, 2026.
Significance: Culminates on National Youth Day (January 12), the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.
Core Objectives
- Youth Leadership: To nurture leadership by providing a platform for young people to translate their innovative ideas into actionable national policies.
- Direct Engagement: Facilitates dialogue between youth and top leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya.
- Non-Political Inclusion: Targets the engagement of 1 lakh youth from non-political backgrounds in nation-building.
Key Tracks and Themes
VBYLD 2026 features four primary tracks:
- Cultural & Design Track: Competitions in declamation, story writing, painting, and folk arts.
- Design for Bharat: A challenge for social and economic problem-solving through design.
- Tech for Viksit Bharat: A multi-stage hackathon for social causes.
- International Participation: For the first time, youth delegates from BIMSTEC nations and the "Know India Programme" are included.
Priority Themes for discussion include Women-led Development, Start-up Innovation, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Sustainable Agriculture, and Future-Ready Workforce.
Purpose and Vision
- Empowering Youth: The dialogue is designed to bring one lakh young Indians without political backgrounds into public life, inspired by PM Modi’s call from the Red Fort.
- Nation-Building: It emphasizes that India’s future will be shaped not just by policies but by the imagination and courage of its youth.
- Global Engagement: The event facilitates interaction between young leaders, policymakers, and global icons
Conclusion
A developed India requires youth who combine confidence to lead with commitment to serve. India’s youth are ready, and institutions must be equally prepared to walk alongside them.
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