Context:
The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) seeks to empower youth participation in shaping India’s developmental roadmap towards Viksit Bharat 2047. The initiative has witnessed large-scale engagement, reflecting the centrality of Yuva Shakti in nation-building.
Key Highlights:
- Platform for Youth Engagement
- VBYLD provides structured dialogue for youth to contribute ideas for a developed India by 2047.
- Over 30 lakh youth engaged through the Viksit Bharat Challenge (2025).
- Over 50 lakh participants in the Viksit Bharat Quiz (initial selection stage).
- VBYLD 2026 (January 9–12, 2026)
- Expands participation to Indian youth diaspora.
- Thematic initiatives:
- Design for Bharat
- Tech for Viksit Bharat
- Prime Minister to interact with youth on National Youth Day (January 12) at Bharat Mandapam.
- Inclusive and Diverse Participation
- Encourages diversity of:
- Language
- Region
- Culture
- Socio-economic background
- Developmental Orientation
- Focus on:
- Innovation
- Sustainable development
- Critical thinking on national challenges
Relevant Prelims Points:
- National Youth Day: Celebrated on January 12, commemorating Swami Vivekananda.
- Viksit Bharat 2047: Vision of transforming India into a developed nation by the centenary of Independence.
- Yuva Shakti: Concept highlighting youth as drivers of socio-economic transformation.
- Demographic Dividend: Economic growth potential arising from a large working-age population.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Youth and Demographic Dividend
- India has one of the world’s largest youth populations.
- Productive engagement can:
- Boost innovation
- Enhance entrepreneurship
- Strengthen governance participation
- Risk of demographic disaster if:
- Skill gaps persist
- Unemployment rises
- Participatory Governance
- Platforms like VBYLD reflect:
- Bottom-up consultation
- Collaborative policymaking
- Aligns with principles of:
- Democratic decentralization
- Civic engagement
- Post-Independence Nation-Building
- 2047 vision ties current youth aspirations with:
- Constitutional values
- Long-term strategic planning
- Continuity of development vision since 1947.
- Social Cohesion and Inclusion
- Emphasis on diversity strengthens:
- National integration
- Social harmony
- Inclusion of diaspora enhances:
- Soft power
- Global knowledge exchange
- Governance and Capacity Building
- Requires alignment with:
- Skill India
- Startup India
- Digital India
- Institutional mechanisms needed for translating dialogue into policy.
Way Forward:
- Integrate youth recommendations into formal policy channels.
- Strengthen skill development and employment ecosystems.
- Promote civic education and leadership training.
- Ensure rural and marginalized youth participation.
- Institutionalize annual youth policy consultations.
UPSC Relevance:
GS 1 – Indian Society (Demographic Dividend, Youth Issues)
GS 2 – Governance (Participatory Governance, Policy Design)
Relevant for essays on Viksit Bharat, Youth Empowerment, Nation-Building