{"id":76806,"date":"2026-06-15T18:41:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=76806"},"modified":"2026-06-15T18:41:24","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:11:24","slug":"empowering-india-youth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-06-2026\/empowering-india-youth","title":{"rendered":"Empowering India&#8217;s Youth for a Developed Nation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Governance, GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India, with nearly<strong> 65%<\/strong> of its population below 35 years of age, is leveraging its demographic dividend to realise the vision of <strong>Viksit Bharat @ 2047.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Focus on Youth-led Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014 <\/strong>provided the foundational framework for youth development in the country.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It defined youth as individuals <strong>aged 15\u201329 years <\/strong>and identified<strong> key areas <\/strong>such as education, employment, skill development, health, sports, social participation, and empowerment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The proposed National Youth Policy 2025<\/strong> framework further underscores emerging priorities such as future-ready skills, leadership, digital participation, and sustainable development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Youth are increasingly viewed as <strong>active partners in governance and nation-building<\/strong> rather than passive beneficiaries of government programmes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Transforming Education for the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strengthening School Education: <\/strong>More than <strong>1.49 lakh schools<\/strong> have been covered under <strong>ICT and digital education<\/strong> initiatives.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Over <strong>1.76 lakh smart classrooms and 1.79 lakh ICT laboratories<\/strong> have been sanctioned.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Residential schooling initiatives such as Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas and <strong>Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Awasiya Vidyalayas<\/strong> have improved educational access for girls and disadvantaged communities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hostel facilities under <strong>PM-JANMAN<\/strong> and <strong>Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan<\/strong> have expanded opportunities for tribal students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The National Education Policy, 2020:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The National Credit Framework (NCrF), <\/strong>allows students to accumulate credits across academic, skill-based, and experiential learning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Academic Bank of Credits (ABC)<\/strong> enables students to store, transfer, and redeem credits across institutions without losing academic progress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR ID) <\/strong>accumulates academic and skill credits earned throughout a student&#8217;s learning journey.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Digital Learning and Innovation: SWAYAM <\/strong>hosts over 18,500 courses with more than 6 crore enrolments.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing)<\/strong> provides digital learning resources in multiple Indian languages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>One Nation One Subscription<\/strong> has expanded access to academic and research resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>More than <strong>10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs<\/strong> are nurturing innovation among school students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Building a Skilled and Employable Workforce<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Skill India Mission (SIM): <\/strong>Launched in <strong>2015,<\/strong> the Skill India Mission provides <strong>skill, re-skill, and up-skill<\/strong> training through an extensive network of skill development centres.\u00a0 Key schemes to ensure that the programme is implemented effectively:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jan Shikshan Sansthan (JSS)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Craftsman Training Scheme (CTS) in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SOAR (Skilling for AI Readiness): <\/strong>Launched in 2025, SOAR introduces Artificial Intelligence awareness and foundational AI skills to school students from Classes <strong>6 to 12.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It also equips educators to integrate AI concepts into learning.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Prime Minister Internship Scheme (PMIS):<\/strong> <strong>Launched in 2024<\/strong>, this initiative aims to provide structured, paid internship opportunities to youth across the country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skill India Digital Hub (SIDH):<\/strong> Launched in 2023, SIDH serves as a<strong> unified Digital Public Infrastructure platform <\/strong>that integrates learners, training providers, employers, and Government programmes on a single digital platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rozgar Melas:<\/strong> Launched in <strong>2022<\/strong>, it is a key step toward boosting employment generation and strengthening the workforce across the country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana:<\/strong> It provides employment-linked incentives to both employers and first-time formal-sector employees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Career Service (NCS) Portal: <\/strong>Launched in July 2015, it connects job-seeking youth with employers across sectors, reducing information asymmetry and bringing employment opportunities to youth across all geographies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Manufacturing as an Employment Engine: <\/strong>Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Schemes have strengthened domestic manufacturing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img data-dominant-color=\"9cc4dc\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #9cc4dc;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"517\" height=\"490\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-96.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-76807\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-96.png 517w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-96-300x284.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 517px) 100vw, 517px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Promoting Entrepreneurship and Innovation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Startup India Revolution: <\/strong>India has emerged as the world&#8217;s<strong> third-largest<\/strong> startup ecosystem.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>More than <strong>2.3 lakh startups<\/strong> have been recognised under Startup India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Over <strong>120 unicorns<\/strong> operate within the country.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nearly <strong>half of all recognised startups <\/strong>originate from <strong>Tier-II and Tier-III cities.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Funding Architecture:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY): <\/strong>Launched in <strong>2015,<\/strong> the PMMY is the flagship programme aimed at funding micro enterprises and small businesses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Credit Guarantee Scheme for Startups (CGSS): <\/strong>This scheme provides collateral-free loans to DPIIT-recognised startups through financial institutions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Startup India Investor Connect Portal: <\/strong>Launched in <strong>2023<\/strong>, it enables young entrepreneurs to reach multiple investors through a single application.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Digital Youth Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat):<\/strong> It combines physical engagement with digital connectivity to create a single, unified ecosystem for India&#8217;s youth aged 15 to 29.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It offers learning, volunteering, mentorship, career services, and civic participation through a single platform.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)<\/strong> was launched in <strong>2017<\/strong> to ensure digital literacy amongst citizens in rural India.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It trained citizens, including the youth to use digital devices, navigate the internet, access Government services online, and conduct digital financial transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sports as a Vehicle of Youth Empowerment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Khelo India \u2013 National Programme for Development of Sports:<\/strong> It aims to promote mass participation and sporting excellence in both rural and urban areas.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS):<\/strong> TOPS provides customised, athlete-centric support that includes foreign coaching, international training exposure, advanced sports science, equipment, and a monthly stipend.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Fit India Movement,<\/strong> launched in <strong>2019,<\/strong> has transformed fitness from an individual effort into a national movement.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Health and Well-Being of Youth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK):<\/strong> It addresses adolescent health through a holistic framework covering nutrition, mental health, reproductive health, and prevention of substance abuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Health Support (Tele-MANAS): <\/strong>To provide stigma-free mental healthcare, the <strong>Tele-MANAS 24\/7<\/strong> helpline offers professional tele-counselling services.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)<\/strong> launched in <strong>2021<\/strong>, helps India\u2019s youth by making healthcare more digital, accessible and affordable.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Youth Leadership and Global Engagement<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Service Scheme and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan<\/strong> continue to promote youth involvement in social service, environmental conservation, literacy, and disaster management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Youth exchange programmes<\/strong> and international platforms such as <strong>Y20, BIMSTEC Youth Summit, and SCO engagements <\/strong>are expanding India&#8217;s global youth footprint and fostering leadership skills.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What are the challenges?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Quality-Quantity Gap in Skilling:<\/strong> Despite large training numbers, employability outcomes remain weak; industry often finds certified youth unprepared for actual job roles, indicating curriculum-industry misalignment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Credential-Job Mismatch:<\/strong> Graduate unemployment coexists with skill shortages in manufacturing and technology sectors, reflecting structural rigidity in education-to-employment pathways.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regional and Social Inequalities: <\/strong>Unequal access to education, skills, and opportunities persists across regions and social groups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geographic Concentration:<\/strong> Economic opportunities, startup ecosystems, and quality education remain concentrated in a few states; aspirational districts and northeastern states remain significantly underserved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Gig Economy Vulnerability:<\/strong> Significant youth employment is in platform-based gig work without social security, EPF coverage, or career progression, raising concerns about formalisation quality versus quantity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Health Burden:<\/strong> Rising competitive pressure, unemployment anxiety, and digital overexposure among youth create a growing mental health crisis inadequately addressed by existing healthcare infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Concluding remarks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India&#8217;s demographic dividend presents a historic opportunity to accelerate economic growth, foster innovation, and strengthen nation-building.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Realising this potential requires <strong>empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities<\/strong> needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressNoteDetails.aspx?id=158887&amp;NoteId=158887&amp;ModuleId=3&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>PIB<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong><br \/>\nContext<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>India, with nearly 65% of its population below 35 years of age, is leveraging its demographic dividend to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<p>Focus on Youth-led Development<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"\t>\n<p>The National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014 provided the foundational framework for youth development in the country.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">\n<p>It defined youth as individuals aged 15\u201329 years and identified key areas such as education, employment, skill development, health, sports, social participation, and empowerment.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/15-06-2026\/empowering-india-youth \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-76806","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76806","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76806"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76806\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":76809,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76806\/revisions\/76809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76806"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76806"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76806"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}