National Youth Day 2026: The 2047 Youth Empowerment Roadmap for UPSC
Q. Regarding the youth empowerment initiatives in India, consider the following statements:
1. The PM-SETU scheme aims to upgrade 1,000 Government ITIs using a hub-and-spoke model.
2. The MY Bharat 2.0 platform features a 'Smart CV Builder' and AI-driven chatbots for youth engagement.
3. The Kashi Declaration (2025) provides a roadmap for the promotion of traditional Indian sports in rural areas.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Context
Observed annually on January 12, National Youth Day 2026 commemorates the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The 2026 edition highlights India's vast demographic dividend (65% population under 35) and the strategic shift toward making youth "active partners" in the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Digital Gateway: MY Bharat Platform
The Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) platform, launched in 2023, has emerged as the central digital ecosystem for youth engagement.
- Registration Scale: As of November 26, 2025, over 2.05 crore youth have registered on the portal.
- MY Bharat 2.0: An upgraded platform developed in collaboration with Digital India Corporation (DIC). It features a Smart CV Builder, AI Chatbots, and Voice-Assisted Navigation.
- Mobile First: The MY Bharat App (launched Oct 2025) provides digital certificates and engagement badges for volunteering and leadership.
Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue (VBYLD)
A reimagined version of the National Youth Festival, the second edition of VBYLD is held from 9–12 January 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- Participation: Nearly 3,000 participants, including 100 international delegates.
- The Challenge Track: A nationwide digital quiz saw participation from over 50.42 lakh youth.
- Outcome: Young leaders present solutions across ten national priority themes to the national leadership on National Youth Day.
Flagship Skilling & Employment Schemes
1. PM-SETU (Launched Oct 2024/2025)
The Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs is a centrally sponsored scheme with an investment of ₹60,000 crore.
- Model: Upgrading 1,000 Government ITIs through a hub-and-spoke model (200 hubs, 800 spokes).
- Strategy: A "government-owned, industry-managed" model to align vocational training with global standards.
2. PMKVY 4.0 & Skill India
- Unified Scheme: In Feb 2025, the restructured 'Skill India Programme' (₹8,800 crore outlay) merged PMKVY 4.0, NAPS, and JSS.
- Future Skills: Shifted focus to On-Job Training (OJT) and cutting-edge fields like Robotics, AI, and Drone Technology.
- Achievement: Over 1.64 crore candidates have been trained under PMKVY since its 2015 inception.
3. Agnipath & Entrepreneurship
- Agnipath: Recruits youth (17.5–21 years) as Agniveers for 4 years. Up to 1.5 lakh Agniveers were enrolled by Feb 2025.
- Startup India: Recognised 1.97 lakh startups as of Oct 2025, with a massive focus on Tier-II and Tier-III cities.
- PMMY (Mudra): Sanctioned 53.85 crore loans (₹35.13 lakh crore) over 10 years, providing collateral-free credit up to ₹20 lakh.
Health, Fitness & Values
- Fit India Movement: Focuses on behavioural change through initiatives like "Sundays on Cycle" and School Certification.
- Kashi Declaration (July 2025): A groundbreaking five-year roadmap for a drug-free youth movement (Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat).
- RKSK: Focuses on adolescent health (10–19 years) across six domains, including mental health and substance misuse.
Significance for UPSC
The National Youth Day initiatives represent a move from entitlement-based to participation-based development. For UPSC, these schemes are critical examples of how India is leveraging its demographic dividend through integrated governance (inter-ministerial collaboration) and digital public infrastructure (MY Bharat).
🎯 Analysis & Insights
Prelims mastery
Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Reasoning: Statement 1 and 2 are correct as per the PM-SETU and MY Bharat 2.0 specs. Statement 3 is incorrect; the Kashi Declaration is specifically a national roadmap for a drug-free youth movement (Nasha Mukt Yuva).
Mains perspective
"A demographic dividend is a time-limited opportunity that requires the alignment of education, skilling, and entrepreneurship ecosystems." Discuss this in the context of India's journey toward Viksit Bharat @2047. (150 words)