Yuva Sangam, a youth exchange programme under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative, has expanded to cover 22 States and Union Territories in its recent phases. Anchored by 22 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), the programme enables structured inter-state exchanges for youth aged 18–30.
Designed as a 5–7 day exposure-based programme, Yuva Sangam moves beyond classroom learning by enabling participants to engage with regional culture, governance systems, development projects, and innovation ecosystems. The approach aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises experiential and multidisciplinary learning.
The programme operates through a “sender–host” institutional model, where paired HEIs coordinate exchanges across regions. For instance, IIT Delhi is paired with IIT Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), while IIM Ahmedabad is linked with NIT Rourkela (Odisha), enabling participants to engage directly with local academic and development ecosystems.
Since its launch in 2023, the programme has seen rapid growth in participation, with earlier phases recording high registration volumes: Phase IV alone received over 45,000 registrations within 10 days. The initiative includes both students and non-campus youth, such as volunteers from NSS and NYKS, with efforts to ensure representation from rural and remote areas.
Programme Design and Implementation
Institution-led exchange model: Paired HEIs across states coordinate exchanges, ensuring structured engagement with local institutions and systems.
Inclusive participation: The programme includes students and youth outside formal education systems, expanding access beyond campus-based networks.
Multi-sector exposure: Activities cover culture, governance, industry, and technology, providing a cross-sector understanding of regional development.
Five-Pillar Framework for Experiential Learning
Paryatan (Tourism): Exposure to local geography, heritage, and ecosystems
Parampara (Tradition): Engagement with cultural practices, arts, and cuisine
Pragati (Development): Visits to infrastructure projects and public institutions
Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People): Interaction with communities and peer networks
Prodyogiki (Technology): Exposure to innovation hubs and digital ecosystems
What is "Experiential Learning"?
Experiential Learning is a pedagogical process where students learn by "doing" and reflecting on their experiences. In Yuva Sangam, this acts as a catalyst for national integration because a student from Delhi doesn't just read about the tribal innovation in Chhattisgarh but visit an innovation hub in Bhilai and talk to the creators. This mechanism is a shift from "rote memorization" to "lived empathy," where the entire country becomes a laboratory. For the Ministry of Education, this is the primary way to make sure that the "One India" concept is not just a slogan but a shared memory.
Policy Relevance: Strengthening National Integration and Youth Capacity
Broadening access to leadership opportunities: By including both students and non-campus youth (NSS/NYKS), the programme expands participation beyond formal higher education, supporting a more inclusive national talent pipeline.
Strengthening social cohesion: Structured inter-state exposure under the Paraspar Sampark pillar enables sustained interaction across regions, which can help reduce social distance and challenge entrenched regional perceptions.
Supporting local entrepreneurship diffusion: Exposure to innovation ecosystems and startup hubs in host states may encourage participants to replicate similar initiatives in their home regions, contributing to the spread of entrepreneurial activity beyond major urban centres.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How will the nodal institutions use the "Academic Bank of Credits" to give students formal recognition for the skills and knowledge gained during these 7-day tours
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