Online registration opens for Yuva Sangam Phase VI under ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’

The Ministry of Education on Monday opened online registrations for Yuva Sangam (Phase VI), a flagship youth exchange programme under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) initiative.

Yuva Sangam, organised by the Department of Higher Education, Government of India, aims to strengthen emotional bonds and foster mutual understanding among young citizens from different States and Union Territories through structured exposure visits.

Youth in the 18–30 age group, including students of higher education institutions, NSS and NYKS volunteers, and young professionals, can apply through the official portals of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

According to the Ministry, Phase V of Yuva Sangam witnessed more than 46,000 registrations from across the country. Since its launch, including the pilot phase in 2022, over 6,000 youth and coordinators have participated in immersive exchange tours hosted by leading higher education institutions nationwide.

The initiative is designed to promote the spirit of “Unity in Diversity” by pairing States and Union Territories for educational and cultural exchanges.

In Phase VI, 22 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been identified as nodal institutions. Selected participants will undertake five to seven-day educational and cultural tours (excluding travel days) to their paired States or Union Territories.

The programme is structured around five thematic pillars — Paryatan (Tourism), Parampara (Traditions and Culture), Pragati (Development and Governance), Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect), and Prodyogiki (Technology and Innovation).

Through these themes, participants will gain first-hand exposure to cultural heritage, governance initiatives, technological advancements, local communities and academic ecosystems, in alignment with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Among the key pairings announced for Phase VI are:

* Andhra Pradesh’s Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati paired with Maharashtra’s Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Pune.

* Delhi’s Indian Institute of Technology Delhi paired with Chhattisgarh’s Indian Institute of Technology Bhilai.

* Karnataka’s Indian Institute of Information Technology Dharwad paired with Rajasthan’s Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur.

* Punjab’s Indian Institute of Technology Ropar paired with Bihar’s Indian Institute of Technology Patna.

* Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh’s Indian Institute of Management Jammu paired with Kerala & Lakshadweep’s Indian Institute of Management Kozhikode.

* Meghalaya’s Indian Institute of Management Shillong paired with Telangana’s National Institute of Technology Warangal.

* Madhya Pradesh’s Indian Institute of Technology Indore paired with Jharkhand’s Indian Institute of Technology Dhanbad.

* Himachal Pradesh’s Central University of Himachal Pradesh paired with Puducherry’s National Institute of Technology Puducherry.

* Arunachal Pradesh’s North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology paired with Uttar Pradesh’s Indian Institute of Management Lucknow.

* Haryana’s National Institute of Technology Kurukshetra paired with Tripura’s National Institute of Technology Agartala.

* Gujarat and the Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu’s Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad paired with Odisha’s National Institute of Technology Rourkela.

The Ministry said Yuva Sangam is being implemented through a “Whole of Government” approach, with support from participating Ministries, State Governments, and nodal HEIs.