National Youth Day 2026

Syllabus: Miscellaneous 

In News

• Recently, National Youth Day was observed to mark the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda.

National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas

• It is celebrated on 12th January every year in commemoration of the great spiritual leader, philosopher and thinker Swami Vivekananda, whose unwavering belief in the potential of youth continues to resonate deeply with young citizens of the country. 
• His inspiring life and empowering message urge the youth to nurture their dreams, unleash their energies, and shape a future worthy of his envisioned ideals. 
• The youth, defined as those within the age group of 15-29 years, make up nearly 40% of India’s total population.

Importance 

• National Youth Day highlights the aspirations and responsibilities of India’s youth, who make up over 65% of the population under 35 and are key to achieving Viksit Bharat 2047. 
• The government has created a comprehensive youth empowerment framework covering civic engagement, skill development, entrepreneurship, health, fitness, and national service, led by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with other ministries, aiming to involve youth as active partners in nation-building.

Related Steps 

• Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat) : It is an autonomous, technology-driven platform under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports that empowers youth by connecting them with volunteering, skill development, leadership, and experiential learning opportunities. 
• National Service Scheme (NSS):  It is a scheme under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and aims at instigating social consciousness of the student youth with an overall objective of personality development of the youth through community service.
• Agnipath Scheme:  The Government launched the Agnipath scheme in 2022.
  • Under the scheme, both male and female aspirants are recruited into the ‘below the officer’s rank’ cadre of the three services for a four-year period as Agniveers. 
  • The program aims to recruit youth aged 17.5–21 as Agniveers for four years of military service.
• Pradhan Mantri Skilling and Employability Transformation through Upgraded ITIs (PM-SETU):  In October 2025, the Government launched PM-SETU and  it is a flagship, centrally sponsored scheme to modernise India’s network of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and align vocational training with global industry standards.
• The Skill India Mission (SIM) : Launched in 2015 on World Youth Skills Day, it provides training to skill, re-skill, and up-skill individuals through a wide network of centres and institutes.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY):  It was launched in 2015 to provide short-term skill training and upskilling or re-skilling, including through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), to youth across India.
• The Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS) Scheme, initially launched as Shramik Vidyapeeth (SVP) in 1967, aims to provide skill training in a non-formal mode. 
• National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS):  The scheme launched in August 2016, promotes apprenticeship by offering financial support for apprentice stipends.
• Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY): Launched in 2014 and is a part of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), tasked with the dual objectives of adding diversity to the incomes of rural poor families and cater to the career aspirations of rural youth.
• Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes (RSETIs): Launched in January 2009, the scheme provides free, quality residential training to rural youth, along with post-training support and credit linkage to encourage entrepreneurship.
• Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana:  In 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana with an outlay of ₹1 lakh crore.
  • It will offer financial incentives of up to ₹15,000, disbursed in two installments, to newly employed youth. In addition, employers will receive support of up to ₹3,000 per month for each new employee, encouraging the creation of new job opportunities. 
• Startup India:  Launched in 2016 to foster a robust ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY): It is  aimed at Funding the Unfunded micro enterprises and small businesses.
• The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) was launched in 2014 by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to address the holistic health needs of adolescents aged 10–19 years across India.

Conclusion 

• National Youth Day 2026 highlights the vital role of India’s youth in shaping the nation’s future through education, startups, service, and leadership.
• Inspired by Swami Vivekananda, the day underscores that youth are not just inheritors but architects of India’s journey toward 2047.

Source :PIB