Model Youth Gram Sabha Initiative Launched Nationwide; To Foster Democratic Leadership in Students through Experiential Learning
Model Youth Gram Sabha Initiative Launched Nationwide; To Foster Democratic Leadership in Students through Experiential Learning
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative today in New Delhi. The launch also witnessed the unveiling of the Training Module on Model Youth Gram Sabha and the MYGS Portal, marking a major step towards connecting young minds with the spirit of grassroots democracy. The event was graced by Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Shri Durgadas Uikey. Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, and Smt. Ranjana Chopra, OSD, Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with other senior officials of the Ministry were also present on this occassion.
The Model Youth Gram Sabha, aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, will be implemented across over 1,000 schools, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), and State Government Schools. The initiative promotes experiential and activity-based learning, helping students understand democratic functioning and the importance of collective decision-making.
In his keynote address, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel said that realizing the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires nurturing a generation of young leaders who understand and strengthen India’s democracy. He described the Model Youth Gram Sabha as a powerful platform to build confidence, leadership, and civic responsibility among students and taking the idea forward, he suggested that similar initiatives may also be introduced in urban areas through Model Ward Sabhas, enabling students in cities to understand participatory decision-making and community leadership.
Shri Durgadas Uikey, described the initiative of Model Youth Gram Sabha as a reflection of a new vision of participatory education that connects young minds with the functioning of democratic institutions. He said that the initiative connects education with democratic participation and inspires students to listen, decide, and act responsibly. Sharing his personal journey from a tribal village, he said that grassroots leadership has the power to transform lives and communities. He also underlined that the tribal society’s harmony with nature offers valuable lessons in sustainable living and maintaining community balance.
Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, said that for many of the country’s problems, solutions lie within its Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats, which form the foundation of local self-governance. He described the Model Youth Gram Sabha as a vital step to connect students with grassroots democracy and help them learn responsibility, transparency, and accountability through real-life experience. He emphasized that education must blend knowledge with experience so that learning becomes enjoyable, participative, and rooted in community values.
Shri Sanjay Kumar said that the Model Youth Gram Sabha is a timely step to help students understand grassroots democracy and the functioning of PRIs. The initiative, he noted, will provide real-life exposure to governance, build teamwork and leadership skills, and promote learning by doing, community participation, and mental well-being – nurturing confident and responsible citizens.
The launch witnessed participation from over 700 attendees, including students and teachers from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and Eklavya Model Residential Schools, as well as elected Panchayat representatives and officials from State Panchayati Raj Departments and SIRD&PRs. It marked a significant milestone in fostering confident, informed, and responsible youth committed to strengthening India’s democracy. The Model Youth Gram Sabha aspires to engage every student as an active participant in building a Viksit Bharat
मॉडल युवा ग्राम सभा का शुभारंभ | Launch of Model Youth Gram Sabha
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (#MYGS)… pic.twitter.com/ZlSSgyJcaw