Youth Policy Reset Begins in Srinagar: Chintan Shivir Focuses on Participatory Governance

In a significant step toward redefining youth engagement and policy design in India, the three-day Chintan Shivir of Ministers of Youth Affairs & Sports from States and Union Territories commenced at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC), Srinagar.

Led by Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, the high-level gathering aims to align national and state-level youth policies with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, placing young citizens at the centre of governance and nation-building.

“Samvaad Se Samadhaan”: Dialogue-Driven Policy Making

The first day of the Shivir was themed “Samvaad Se Samadhaan” (Dialogue to Solutions), reflecting a shift toward consultative, participatory governance models.

Discussions focused on strengthening the MY Bharat platform, with emphasis on:

• Policy alignment across states and the Centre

• Institutional convergence

• Outcome-oriented programme delivery

The initiative signals a move away from top-down policymaking toward grassroots-driven, data-informed frameworks.

Youth as Partners, Not Beneficiaries

In his keynote address, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya underscored the importance of involving youth directly in governance processes.

“The vision of this Chintan Shivir is to ensure individual involvement by bringing every youth voice into the decision-making process.”

Highlighting India’s demographic advantage, he noted that the country possesses the world’s largest and most dynamic youth population, which must be actively engaged to realise long-term national goals.

“We must make youth equal partners in achieving the goals of 2047, not just beneficiaries of schemes.”

Strengthening Grassroots Institutions

A key theme of the discussions was the need to reinforce grassroots structures that enable youth participation.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized:

• The role of District Youth Officers (DYOs) in channelising grassroots ideas

• The importance of vibrant youth clubs as foundational units of engagement

“Our groundwork must be strengthened through youth clubs that can act as the backbone of youth engagement.”

This approach aims to ensure that local voices inform national policy, creating a bottom-up governance model.

Transparency and Stakeholder Consultation

The Minister also stressed the importance of transparent and accountable policymaking, ensuring that stakeholder inputs translate into tangible outcomes.

“Stakeholder consultation is essential, and transparency must ensure that input directly translates into output without leakages.”

This reflects a broader push toward evidence-based governance and measurable impact.

Platform for Dialogue and Action

Minister of State Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse described the Shivir as a critical platform for collaborative problem-solving.

“This Chintan Shivir offers a space for meaningful dialogue to identify challenges and evolve actionable strategies for the youth of the country.”

She reiterated the importance of integrating grassroots insights into policymaking:

“Discussions must flow from the ground level through DYOs to the national level.”

Building on a Phased Consultative Process

Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary, Department of Youth Affairs, highlighted that the Srinagar Shivir builds on earlier consultations held in Bengaluru, following a phased and structured approach.

“Such consultations allow officers at all levels to present challenges and innovative ideas, enabling informed and inclusive decision-making.”

This iterative process is designed to ensure continuity, refinement, and scalability of youth policies.

Focus Areas: Digital Engagement and Programme Convergence

Technical sessions on Day 1 delved into key operational priorities for the Annual Action Plan 2026–27, including:

• Strengthening digital youth engagement through MY Bharat

• Enhancing convergence with the National Service Scheme (NSS)

• Improving fund flow mechanisms and coordination

• Identifying gaps and refining implementation strategies

Presentations also showcased best practices in youth club development and sustainability models, offering replicable frameworks for states.

Toward Action-Oriented Outcomes

The day concluded with:

• A synthesis of key insights

• Formation of thematic working groups for focused deliberations

These groups will carry forward discussions over the next two days, with a strong emphasis on cross-learning, policy alignment, and actionable outcomes.

Shaping the Youth Ecosystem for 2047

The Chintan Shivir represents a strategic effort to build an empowered, engaged, and future-ready youth ecosystem, aligned with India’s long-term development vision.

By integrating:

• Grassroots participation

• Digital platforms

• Institutional coordination

the initiative aims to ensure that India’s youth are not only beneficiaries of development but active architects of the nation’s future.

As deliberations continue in Srinagar, the outcomes of this Shivir are expected to shape the next generation of youth policies—anchored in participation, innovation, and accountability—paving the way for a truly inclusive Viksit Bharat by 2047.