Context: 

India celebrated National Youth Day 2025 on the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. 

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• On National Youth Day, the Prime Minister also participated in the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 where he engaged with 3,000 dynamic young leaders from across India, selected through a merit-based, multi-level process (called Viksit Bharat Challenge) from over 30 lakh participants.

The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2025 provides a platform for youth to present innovative solutions for a developed India.

• It aligns with the Prime Minister's Independence Day call to engage 1 lakh youth in politics without political affiliations and provide them a national platform to make their ideas for Viksit Bharat, a reality.

National Youth Day 

• The National Youth Day or Rashtriya Yuva Divas 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.
• The day has been celebrated in India every year since January 12, 1985, after its declaration in 1984.

Objectives of National Youth Day

• To generate awareness about the life and message of Swami Vivekananda to inspire and motivate youth to participate in nation-building.
• To involve youth in various activities and to promote the spirit of service and volunteerism.

Who is a Youth?

• There is no universally agreed international definition of the youth age group. For statistical purposes, the United Nations defines ‘youth’ as those persons between the ages of 15 and 24 years. 
• As per National Youth Policy 2014, the youth are defined as those within the age group of 15-29 years, which is nearly 40% of India’s total population.

Key Government schemes for Youth and their Development 

• Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS): It was launched in 1972 to develop the personality of youth and engage them in nation-building activities. 
• National Youth Policy (NYP-2024): It is an update of National Youth Policy (NYP) 2014. It focuses on five main areas: education, employment, youth leadership, health, and social justice, with a commitment to social inclusion.
• National Youth Corps (NYC): It was introduced in 2010-11 to facilitate the realization of inclusive growth (both social and economic).
• National Youth Awards: These awards are conferred every year for excellent work done by youth for nation-building/ community service. 
• National Service Scheme (NSS): Established in 1969, NSS encourages students to engage in community service with the motto “NOT ME, BUT YOU”.   

With effect from 1st April 2016, the Department of Youth Affairs re-structured/ consolidated all the Schemes implemented by the Department, into 3 Schemes, namely – 

• Rashtriya Yuva Sashaktikaran Karyakram (RYSK)
• National Service Scheme (NSS)
• Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD)