Model Youth Gram Sabha Initiative Launched to Nurture Student Leadership and Grassroots Democracy
Union Ministers of State Prof. SP Singh Baghel and Durgadas Uikey inaugurated the programme, describing it as a crucial step toward fostering civic responsibility and leadership among India’s youth.
New Delhi, October 31: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Tribal Affairs, has launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative — a nationwide programme designed to connect students with the principles of grassroots democracy through experiential learning.
The launch event in New Delhi marked the unveiling of the MYGS Training Module and digital portal, which will serve as key resources for schools implementing the initiative. Union Ministers of State Prof. SP Singh Baghel and Durgadas Uikey inaugurated the programme, describing it as a crucial step toward fostering civic responsibility and leadership among India’s youth.
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF SE) 2023, the initiative will be rolled out across more than 1,000 schools, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), and State Government schools. It aims to help students understand how democratic institutions function and how collective decision-making shapes communities.
Prof. Baghel said achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 requires building a generation of leaders rooted in democratic values. He suggested extending the model to urban schools through Model Ward Sabhas, so students in cities can also experience participatory decision-making.
Durgadas Uikey called the initiative a “new vision of participatory education,” connecting classroom learning with democratic engagement. Drawing from his own experience growing up in a tribal village, he highlighted how grassroots leadership can transform communities and promote sustainable living.
Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, said that the programme would bridge education and governance by giving students real-life exposure to responsibility, transparency, and accountability. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, added that learning through such hands-on experiences builds teamwork, leadership, and mental well-being — key traits of confident and responsible citizens.
The launch event brought together over 700 participants, including students, teachers, Panchayat representatives, and officials from State departments and training institutes.
By introducing the Model Youth Gram Sabha, the government seeks to turn classrooms into spaces of civic engagement — preparing students not only to understand democracy but to practice it, ensuring that every young citizen becomes an active contributor to India’s development journey.
