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Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs has unveiled an upgraded version of the National Youth Parliament Scheme (NYPS) web portal, known as NYPS 2.0. This upgraded portal removes the previous restriction where participation was limited only to recognized educational institutions. Under the new framework, all educational institutions, various community groups, and even individual citizens can register through dedicated modules for Institution, Group, and Individual Participation.
Enhanced Reach and Outreach Metrics
The transition to NYPS 2.0 aims to ensure inclusivity regardless of gender, caste, or place of residence, with a particular focus on rural areas:
Participation Data: Since its initial launch in September 2024 through January 2026, the scheme has seen 4,432 institutional registrations and participation from over 95,000 citizens and students.
Individual Engagement: A significant 42,376 individuals have participated as independent citizens, showcasing a high demand for direct engagement.
Institutional Expansion: The Ministry has engaged state governments, UT administrations, and major educational boards like CBSE and CISCE to broaden the scheme’s footprint.
What is the “National Youth Parliament Scheme” (NYPS) in the context of Indian governance? The National Youth Parliament Scheme is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs designed to introduce the younger generation to the practices and procedures of Indian parliamentary democracy. It simulates parliamentary sittings where participants debate national issues, learn the art of decision-making, and develop leadership qualities. The 2.0 upgrade transforms the scheme from a niche school-based activity into a massive open-participation platform, allowing any citizen to experience the legislative process digitally through individual and group sittings.
Policy Relevance
The rollout of NYPS 2.0 represents a strategic shift toward inclusive civic education and digital democracy. By decoupling participation from formal school enrollment, the government is treating parliamentary literacy as a universal civic right rather than an academic privilege.
Democratizing Political Literacy: Allowing Individual Participation ensures that youth in remote rural areas or those outside the formal education system can gain first-hand experience of governance, bridging the urban-rural “civic gap”.
Institutionalizing Youth Voice: The massive engagement of over 95,000 participants provides a data-backed rationale for formalizing youth advisory councils at the state and local legislature levels.
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for Education: The web portal serves as a scalable model for how DPI can be used to deliver non-formal education and “active citizenship” training to millions simultaneously.
Strengthening Social Cohesion: By encouraging Group Participation across caste and religious lines, the portal acts as a digital space for deliberative democracy, fostering a culture of debate over discord.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs collaborate with state legislatures to integrate the NYPS 2.0 ‘Individual Participation’ data into a formal talent pipeline for future legislative interns and public policy professionals?
Follow the full news here: Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs unveils NYPS 2.0 | PIB