SDG 4: Quality Education | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Ministry of Panchayati Raj | Ministry of Education | Ministry of Tribal Affairs
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education and Literacy) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, is launching the first-of-its-kind Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative on October 30, 2025, in New Delhi. The MYGS is a pioneering program designed to promote participatory local governance and strengthen Janbhagidari by engaging students in simulated Gram Sabha sessions. The initiative, which aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, aims to roll out across over 1,000 schools nationwide, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) and Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs).
During the launch, a specialized Training Module and a dedicated MYGS Portal will be unveiled to ensure effective implementation, build teacher capacity, and foster active student participation in grassroots democracy, thereby nurturing future citizens committed to accountability and the vision of Viksit Bharat.
This inter-ministerial initiative is significant from a governance and developmental perspective as it utilizes the education system to foster democratic capacity and civic responsibility among youth, directly linking the classroom to the function of local self-governance institutions (Panchayats).
What is Janbhagidari?→ Janbhagidari is a Hindi term meaning “people’s participation” or “public involvement.” In the context of governance, it refers to the active, voluntary engagement of citizens in decision-making processes, planning, and implementation of developmental schemes at the local level, such as within the Gram Sabha, ensuring policies are community-driven and accountable.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the MYGS Portal be integrated with State Panchayati Raj portals to institutionalize youth feedback into local policy planning and resource allocation?
Follow the full news here: Nationwide Launch of First-of-Its-Kind ‘Model Youth Gram Sabha’