Yuva Sangam
Why in News?
Yuva Sangam is recently in the news because the Ministry of Education has launched Phase VI (6th edition) of the program. This phase is a key part of the government's post-budget push to empower "Yuva Shakti" and align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 goals of experiential learning.
Key Features
- Initiative: A flagship youth exchange program under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) campaign.
- Objective: To strengthen people-to-people connections and promote "Unity in Diversity" among Indian youth.
- Eligibility:
- Age: 18–30 years.
- Participants: UG/PG students, NSS/NYKS volunteers, and young professionals.
- Structure: Facilitates 5–7-day immersive tours to paired States/UTs (e.g., Delhi paired with Chhattisgarh, Karnataka with Rajasthan).
- The 5 Ps Framework: Every tour is built around five thematic pillars:
- Paryatan (Tourism)
- Parampara (Traditions)
- Pragati (Development)
- Paraspar Sampark (People-to-people connect)
- Prodyogiki (Technology)
- Implementation: Anchored by the Ministry of Education through 22 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) acting as nodal centers.
- Funding: The program is fully government-funded, covering all travel, boarding, and lodging expenses for selected participants.
- Coverage: Expanding to 22 States and Union Territories with a focus on balanced rural and urban representation.
- Mandatory Requirement: For the first time, applicants are encouraged to register using their APAAR ID (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry).
- Budget Alignment: Part of the "Yuva Shakti-driven Budget" (2026-27), linking higher education with real-world exposure and regional integration.
- Participation Milestone: Since its pilot in 2022, over 6,000 youth and coordinators have participated across various phases.
