New Delhi: In a significant initiative to amplify youth participation in nation-building, the Department of Youth Affairs, under Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, is hosting the second edition of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue (VBYLD 2026) from 9th to 12th January 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Reimagined from the National Youth Festival, the Dialogue provides a national platform for young leaders aged 15–29 years to present innovative ideas and solutions aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, India’s long-term development roadmap.
Prime Minister to Interact with Young Leaders on National Youth Day
The culminating session on 12th January 2026, observed as National Youth Day to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary, will see Prime Minister Narendra Modi interact directly with youth participants.
The Prime Minister’s engagement will include a Town Hall-style interaction and high-impact presentations by the young leaders, reinforcing youth as central stakeholders in India’s development journey.
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Viksit Bharat Challenge Track: Empowering Young Innovators
The Viksit Bharat Challenge Track forms the core of VBYLD 2026 and follows a four-stage competitive process:
- Digital Quiz (Sept–Oct 2025): Over 50.42 lakh youth participated via MY Bharat and MyGov platforms.
- Essay Challenge (Oct–Nov 2025): Over 2 lakh submissions received across ten national priority themes.
- State-Level Vision Deck Challenge (Nov–Dec 2025): Shortlisting based on leadership, vision clarity, and collaboration.
- National Championship (9–12 Jan 2026): 1,500 youth leaders present their ideas in New Delhi.
Ten National Priority Themes for 2026
Youth participants will present and deliberate on ten priority themes driving India’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047:
- Youth in Democracy and Government
- Women-Led Development
- Fit Bharat, Hit Bharat
- Making India the Start-Up Capital of the World
- Bharat’s Soft Power: Cultural Diplomacy and Global Influence
- Innovation with Tradition: Building a Modern Bharat
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Make in India, Make for the World
- Smart and Sustainable Agriculture
- Building a Sustainable and Green Viksit Bharat
- Building a Future-Ready Workforce
Cultural & Design Track: Nurturing Creative Talents
Alongside the Challenge Track, the Cultural & Design Track features competitions in declamation, story writing, painting, folk music and dance, poetry, and innovation.
Winners from district and state levels will compete nationally during VBYLD 2026. New verticals include:
- Design for Bharat: A national design challenge addressing social, cultural, and economic challenges
- Tech for Viksit Bharat – Hack for a Social Cause: A multi-stage hackathon promoting technology-driven solutions
International Participation: Youth delegates from Know India Programme and BIMSTEC nations will participate
Day-Wise Overview of VBYLD 2026
9th January 2026 – Orientation & Inauguration
- Welcome address by Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
- Felicitation of MY Bharat volunteers
Keynote by Raksha Nikhil Khadse, MoS Youth Affairs & Sports
10th January 2026 – Plenary Sessions & Thematic Deliberations
- Inaugural session with Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and NSA Ajit Doval
- Theme-based deliberations with experts across ten priority themes
Viksit Bharat Exhibition showcasing initiatives in education, skilling, entrepreneurship, innovation, and culture
Visit to Prime Minister’s Museum & Library
11th January 2026 – Fireside Chats & Cultural Showcase
- ISRO astronauts interact with youth, highlighting science, innovation, and space technology
- “Colors of Viksit Bharat” cultural showcase featuring traditional and contemporary performances
Special appearance by Harmanpreet Kaur, captain of India’s Women’s National Cricket Team
12th January 2026 – Grand Finale & Prime Minister Interaction
- Participation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, engaging with 1,500 Challenge Track participants, 1,000 Cultural & Design Track participants, 100 international delegates, and 400 special attendees
- Town Hall-style interaction and presentations on ten national priority themes
Reinforcement of youth leadership in shaping Viksit Bharat@2047
Impact of VBYLD 2026
VBYLD 2026 seeks to nurture youth leadership, foster inclusive participation, and stimulate solution-oriented thinking. By providing a national platform for direct engagement with policymakers, national icons, and global leaders, the Dialogue strengthens the role of youth as active contributors to India’s transformative development journey.
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