Content

1. Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS)
2. Mera Yuva Bharat

Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS)

Why in News?

• The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative (October 2025) under the theme “Loktantra Ki Pathshala”, in partnership with the Department of School Education & Literacy and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
• It aims to promote hands-on civic education and youth participation in grassroots democracy, especially among students of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
• National-level competitions are scheduled for December 2025, marking the culmination of the first MYGS cycle.

Relevance

• GS-2 (Governance): Digital participatory governance; inter-ministerial convergence (MoYAS–MeitY–MoE–MoTA); aligns with National Youth Policy 2021 & Digital India Mission.
• GS-3 (Economy & Technology): AI-driven skilling, Smart CV Builder, entrepreneurship, and human capital formation for Atmanirbhar & Viksit Bharat 2047.
• GS-1 (Society): Harnessing 65% youth population for civic engagement, national integration, and community service.

Concept and Rationale

• Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) is a simulated Gram Sabha designed to give students experiential exposure to Panchayati Raj governance.
• It mirrors real Gram Sabha meetings, fostering participation, deliberation, and decision-making among students.
• Rooted in Article 243 (Gram Sabha provision) and the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, MYGS embodies direct democracy at the grassroots level.

Constitutional and Institutional Context

• Gram Sabha: The cornerstone of India’s Panchayati Raj System under Article 243(b) — a body of village electors that deliberates on local development and accountability.
• 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992): Institutionalized three-tier Panchayati Raj — village, block, district levels — empowering rural self-governance.
• MYGS strengthens constitutional values by simulating this system within the educational framework.

Alignment with NEP 2020

• NEP 2020 emphasizes:
  • Inculcating constitutional values and fundamental duties.
  • Promoting active citizenship, critical thinking, and civic sense.
  • Integrating experiential learning and community engagement.
• MYGS operationalizes these goals through structured civic simulation, aligning pedagogy with democracy.

Institutional Partners

Target Institutions

• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs): Established under NPE 1986; nurture rural talent with quality education.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs): Provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe students in remote areas.

These institutions serve as laboratories for democratic learning.

Objectives of MYGS

• Civic Education: Familiarize students with Panchayati Raj structure & functioning.
• Leadership Development: Cultivate responsibility, teamwork, and participatory skills.
• Governance Exposure: Enable youth to discuss real-life local issues.
• Values and Ethics: Promote transparency, inclusivity, accountability in decision-making.
• Active Citizenship: Encourage continued youth participation in Gram Sabhas.

Vision

“To nurture empowered, responsible, and empathetic young citizens who actively participate in democratic processes and contribute to sustainable and inclusive national development.”

Key themes:

• Empathy & inclusivity
• Democratic participation
• Leadership & civic responsibility
• Localized SDG awareness

Implementation Design

Phased Rollout (2025)

1. Pilot (Mar–Apr 2025) – Conducted in select JNVs/EMRSs; feedback-based SOP developed.
2. Training Phase (Jul–Aug 2025) – Orientation of 200 master trainers and teachers.
3. Mock Gram Sabhas (Aug–Sep 2025) – Conducted in schools (e.g., Baghpat, Alwar).
4. Regional Competitions (Oct–Nov 2025) – Across 5 regions; 10 finalist teams (5 JNV + 5 EMRS).
5. National Competition (Dec 2025) – 3 best teams awarded for excellence in democratic simulation.

Model Youth Gram Sabha Process

Pre-Meeting Preparation

• Circulation of agenda and notices 10 days prior.
• Student allocation of roles: Sarpanch, Ward Members, Secretaries, ASHA/AWW workers, Rojgar Sahayak, etc.

During the Meeting

• Presentation of past decisions and budgetary discussions.
• Debate and voting on developmental proposals.
• Identification of funding sources and local innovations for finance.

Post-Meeting

• Resolution drafting, minutes recording, and feedback sessions.
• Reflection on lessons learned regarding participatory governance.

Structural Framework: MLJP Model

Training and Evaluation Modules

Three Components

1. NLMT Guide – Comprehensive facilitator manual for trainers.
2. Teacher Facilitation Module – Pictorial, user-friendly resource for student preparation.
3. Evaluation Framework – Pre/during/post assessment indicators for impact measurement and recognition.

Funding and Incentives

• ₹20,000 per participating school (one-time assistance).
• Certificates of Appreciation for all participants.
• Regional & National Level Awards with cash prizes (school development use).
• Logistical support for finalists by the Ministry.

Expected Outcomes

Broader Significance

• Democratic Deepening: Bridges the gap between formal education and participatory governance.
• Rural Empowerment: Encourages educated youth involvement in village-level planning.
• Institutional Continuity: Strengthens Panchayati Raj through next-generation engagement.
• Alignment with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions) and SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development).

Challenges and Way Forward

Challenges

• Limited outreach beyond residential schools (JNVs/EMRSs).
• Need for continuous mentorship and institutionalization.
• Variation in facilitation quality across regions.

Way Forward

• Integrate MYGS modules into regular school civics curriculum.
• Expand to Kendriya Vidyalayas and rural government schools.
• Establish Youth Governance Clubs for year-round civic activities.
• Encourage participation in real Gram Sabhas post-school simulation.

Conclusion

The Model Youth Gram Sabha exemplifies the shift from theoretical civics to experiential democracy.
By empowering students to simulate, debate, and decide on governance issues, it fosters a generation of informed, ethical, and participatory citizens, essential for realizing India’s vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
It transforms the Gram Sabha from a constitutional entity into a classroom of democracy — “Loktantra Ki Pathshala.”

Mera Yuva Bharat

Why in News?

• As of October 2025, MY Bharat has onboarded 2 crore+ youth and 1.2 lakh organisations, emerging as India’s largest youth engagement platform.
• Launch of the MY Bharat Mobile App (Oct 1, 2025) expanded reach via multilingual, AI-driven, mobile-first access.
• MY Bharat 2.0 introduced with AI tools, Smart CV Builder, mentorship networks, and experiential learning modules, powered by MoUs with Digital India Corporation (MeitY) and School of Ultimate Leadership (SOUL).
• Marks two years since launch on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (31 Oct 2023) — symbolising youth-led nation-building in Amrit Kaal.

Relevance

• GS-2 (Governance): Operationalises Article 243(b) & 73rd Amendment; strengthens grassroots democracy and participatory governance.
• GS-3 (Rural Development): Builds youth capacity for local planning & SDG 16 implementation.
• GS-1 (Society & Education): Integrates civic learning in JNVs & EMRSs; promotes inclusive participation.

Background: Youth as Demographic Dividend

• 65% of Indians under 35 years; youth critical for achieving Viksit Bharat @2047.
• Traditional youth schemes (e.g., NYKS, NSS) were fragmented — MY Bharat integrates them digitally.
• Anchored under Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports as an autonomous body for cross-sectoral convergence.

Launch & Vision

• Launch Date: 31 October 2023 (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas).
• Objective: Transform “Yuva Shakti” into a force for national transformation through digital, participatory governance.
• Vision Statement:
  “To make youth active partners in India’s developmental journey by connecting their aspirations with structured opportunities for learning, leadership, and service.”

Institutional Mechanism

• Autonomous Body: Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.
• Alignment: National Youth Policy (NYP) 2021 & Digital India Mission.
• Target Group:
  • Primary: Youth aged 15–29 years.
  • Secondary: Adolescents aged 10–19 years (early civic engagement).
• Approach: Phygital (Physical + Digital) engagement model ensuring inclusivity.

Digital Ecosystem – The Core Engine

(a) MY Bharat Portal (mybharat.gov.in)

• 2 crore+ youth and 1.2 lakh organisations onboarded.
• Functions:
  • Digital registration & verified IDs.
  • Opportunity-matching with volunteering, skilling, and leadership projects.
  • Real-time dashboards for impact measurement.
• Outputs: 14.5 lakh+ volunteering opportunities; network of 60,000+ institutional partners (Govt, NGOs, corporates).

(b) MY Bharat Mobile App (Oct 2025)

• Features:
  • AI-driven chatbots & voice-assist.
  • Smart CV Builder & multilingual UI.
  • Digital certificates, badges, and real-time tracking.
• Goal: Make youth participation mobile-first and data-driven.

MY Bharat 2.0 Modules

Digital Inclusion: Last-Mile Access

• Partnership with Common Service Centres (CSC), MeitY — 5 lakh+ Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) facilitate rural access.
• Ensures universal inclusion, reaching youth in aspirational, tribal, and remote districts.
• Represents phygital democracy in youth empowerment — digital platform with human support network.

Key Collaborations & MoUs

Flagship Campaigns & Youth Movements

• Viksit Bharat Run 2025:
  • Held in 150 cities across 91 countries; symbol of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.
  • Unified diaspora & domestic youth for Viksit Bharat pledge.
• National Flag Quiz (Quiz Se Siachen Tak):
  • Patriotism & civic learning through gamified quizzes.
  • Winners visited Siachen Glacier — symbol of national pride.
• Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat (2025):
  • Launch: Varanasi, July 2025; Kashi Declaration adopted.
  • Involved 1.5 lakh youth & 2,000+ programmes nationwide.
• Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD):
  • 10 thematic tracks (innovation, sustainability, startups, governance).
  • PM hailed it as proof of “India’s Yuva Shakti” driving Amrit Kaal.

Achievements (as of Oct 2025)

• 2+ crore youth engaged; 1.2 lakh+ organisations onboarded.
• 14.5 lakh volunteering opportunities created.
• Regional inclusivity: youth from all states & UTs connected.
• Real-time dashboards tracking outcomes & community projects.
• Strong gender and rural representation through CSC and EMRS/JNV networks.

Expected Outcomes

• Youth Empowerment: Structured pathways for learning, leadership, service.
• Skill Development: AI-based career mapping, mentorship, entrepreneurship training.
• Civic Engagement: Institutionalising volunteerism & national pride.
• Digital Governance: Integrates youth in Digital India’s inclusive growth framework.
• Economic Dividend: Channelising demographic advantage for innovation-led growth.

Road Ahead

• MY Bharat 2.0 Expansion: AI-based skill mapping, career counselling, entrepreneurship incubators.
• Integration with:
  • National Career Service (NCS) – employment linkages.
  • DigiLocker & UMANG – seamless certification & access.
  • Digital India Stack – data interoperability for governance.
• Goal: Become Global South’s largest digital youth network, embedding youth in India’s socio-economic transformation by 2047.

Critical Analysis

• Strengths:
  • Tech-driven, inclusive, measurable outcomes.
  • Cross-sectoral coordination & verified credentials for employability.
• Challenges:
  • Ensuring digital literacy in rural/tribal regions.
  • Sustaining engagement beyond registration numbers.
  • Balancing tech automation with civic human touch.
• Policy Synergy:
  • Aligned with NEP 2020, National Youth Policy, Digital India, and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Conclusion

• MY Bharat represents India’s most ambitious youth engagement architecture — a digital institution for participatory nation-building.
• It operationalises the vision of “Yuva Shakti se Jan Bhagidari”, turning every young citizen into a stakeholder of Viksit Bharat 2047.
• By combining technology, leadership, and civic spirit, MY Bharat stands as the engine of demographic dividend and digital democracy in action.