Pick a state you have never visited. Now imagine India pairs you with it, pays your way, and sends you there with a busload of strangers your own age. That is the idea behind Yuva Sangam.
Must Know
Yuva Sangam: A Youth Exchange
What Yuva Sangam Is
- Full formYuva Sangam means “Youth Gathering”. It is a youth exchange programme.
- ParentIt runs under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB), the “One India, Best India” initiative.
- IdeaIndia pairs two regions, then sends young people from each to visit the other.
- TourEach exchange is a 5 to 7 day educational and cultural visit.
Who Can Join, and The Five Ps, and How It Runs, and Phase I and the North-East
- AgeThe programme is open to youth aged 18 to 30.
- GroupsEligible people include higher-education students, NSS and NYKS volunteers, and young professionals.
- Full formNSS is the National Service Scheme. NYKS is Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan.
- ThemeYuva Sangam is built on five themes called the “5 Ps”.
- ParyatanTourism, to explore another region’s places.
- ParamparaTraditions and culture, to meet local ways of life.
- PragatiDevelopment and governance, to see how other regions run.
- Paraspar SamparkPeople-to-people connect, to make lasting friendships.
- ProdyogikiTechnology and innovation, to learn modern tools and ideas.
- MinistryThe Ministry of Education runs the programme.
- PortalRegistration happens through the EBSB portal.
- Full formThe portal is managed by AICTE, the All India Council for Technical Education.
- DatesPhase I ran from 20 February to 7 April 2023.
- ScaleIt sent 1,178 delegates on 29 tours across 21 states and UTs.
- FocusThe phase gave special attention to the North-Eastern Region.
Good to Know
How the Programme Grew
The EBSB Roots
- LaunchPM Modi launched the EBSB concept on 31 October 2015.
- DayThat date was Sardar Patel’s 140th birth anniversary.
- RolloutThe full EBSB programme followed on 31 October 2016.
Growth Phase by Phase, and Participating Institutions, and Not the NCC
- StartPhase I sent about 1,178 delegates.
- LaterBy Phase V, the programme had crossed 46,000 registrations.
- BodiesUniversities, IITs, IIMs and NITs take part.
- RoleCoordinators from these institutions travel with student groups.
- Full formIIT is Indian Institute of Technology. IIM is Indian Institute of Management. NIT is National Institute of Technology.
- DifferenceYuva Sangam is a separate scheme from the National Cadet Corps.
- FocusNCC builds military-linked discipline and training; Yuva Sangam focuses on cultural and educational exchange.
Test Yourself
Question 1 of 1
Great to Know
Why the Design Matters
Why Pairing Works
- DesignPairing states rather than a generic national tour is a deliberate choice.
- ResultIt forces a direct, reciprocal relationship between two specific regions.
- CompareThis is not a one-way sightseeing trip.
The 5-Ps Pattern, and Institutional Continuity
- PatternThe “5 Ps” framework mirrors a wider habit in Indian governance.
- TrickPolicies get memorable, alliterative names to be easy to explain and remember.
- ContinuityA seventh registration phase within about three years shows real staying power.
- ContrastMany outreach schemes struggle to survive past their first one or two cycles.
Current Affairs
📰 Current Affairs
Phase VII Registrations Open
- EventOn 4 August 2026, the Ministry of Education opened registrations for Yuva Sangam Phase VII.(Business Today, Free Press Journal, Careers360, 4 Aug 2026)
- PortalApplications happen online at the EBSB portal (ebsb.aicte-india.org).(Business Today, Free Press Journal, Careers360, 4 Aug 2026)
- DeadlineThe window is open to youth aged 18 to 30 and closes 18 August 2026.(Business Today, Free Press Journal, Careers360, 18 Aug 2026)
- SourceBusiness Today, Free Press Journal, Careers360.(Business Today, Free Press Journal, Careers360, 4 Aug 2026)
Phase VI Concludes
- EventOn 19 June 2026, Phase VI concluded with over 1,100 delegates completing 22 exposure tours.(PIB, 19 Jun 2026)
- RoutesThe final tour ran Madhya Pradesh to Jharkhand; the first began 8 May 2026, Rajasthan to Karnataka.(PIB, 8 May 2026)
- PoolDelegates came from over 1,26,000 registered students.(PIB, 19 Jun 2026)
- SourcePIB.(PIB, 19 Jun 2026)
PYQ
Exam Point of View
MCQ Questions
- ScopeYuva Sangam and EBSB appear in UPSC and other competitive exams.
Written Answer Questions
- ThemeNational integration and youth programmes are recurring GS-II themes.
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