On the occasion of the Amrit Mahotsav of independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a pledge on Independence Day that 1 lakh youth should be added to politics without political background. With this inspiration, the National Youth Festival was introduced in a new thinking and new form and it was named India Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD), the first edition of which was held in the year 2025. Changing the traditional framework that has been going on for the last 25 years, it was aimed at giving a national platform to the youth with the age of 15 to 29 years where they could put their thoughts and dreams directly to the Prime Minister and become a partner in the creation of a developed India.

VBYLD 2025: First Edition, Historical Start

In the very first year, this program created history. The developed India Challenge led to about 3 million youth participation across the country. Out of this, more than 2 lakh youth wrote essays and 9,000 youth presented their thinking and vision in state level competitions. This journey was completed by coming to the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, where 3,000 youths from all over the country attended the changemakers. These included 1,500 youth developed from India Challenge Track, 1,000 youth from the culture track and 500 pathbreakers (young icons and achievement in different fields).

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The biggest feature of this program was the dignified presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He interacted with the youth for the entire six hours, listened to their views and motivated him to take responsibility for the future of the country.

Many veteran celebrities also encouraged the youth in the program, including Amitabh Kant of NITI Aayog, former president of ISRO, Dr. S. Somnath, industry leader Anand Mahindra and Ritesh Aggarwal, former cricketer Jonty Rhodes and senior journalist Palki Sharma Upadhyay were included. All of them shared their thoughts and experiences and inspired the youth to move forward on the path of developed India.

VBYLD 2026 starts

After the major success of the first edition, the second edition of the developed India Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD – 2026) is being launched. This time, adding more youth with this innovative experiment, starting new tracks, reaching more states and areas and setting other big goals is our objective. It was announced on 13 September 2025 at Major Dhyanchand National Stadium in New Delhi. Here, Minister of Youth Program and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandavia ji addressed the press along with the Secretary and Joint Secretary of the Ministry.

In his address, Dr. Mansukh Mandavia ji said that VBYLD is a unique platform where the youth of India can not only share their views but can also put it directly to the Prime Minister. This is truly an example of youth based democracy, where Vision gets a chance to convert voice and voice into effect. He said that VBYLD is a platform to give the right direction to the strength and ability of the youth, which prepares the blueprint of the upcoming India. He stressed that today’s youth are not only the future, but the present -day nationals.

He also said that VBYLD is not just a day program of one day, but it is a frequent running platform that connects youth across the country and enhances their leadership ability. Through this, innovation increases, society is strong and the dream of self -sufficient India is fulfilled.

VBYLD 2026 outline

Smt. Pallavi Jain Govil, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Program and Sports, explained the process and structure of VBYLD 2026 to media persons. He informed that the visit of the participants will start with the online quiz and essay competition, then the state level presentations will go and finally will be completed in Delhi at the national level. He also informed that this time new tracks are being added in VBYLD 2026, and after several stages of the whole year, its summit will be held during the National Youth Festival in January 2026.

VBYLD 2026 new special things

VBYLD 2026 will maintain all the main themes and tracks in the past, but with this some new changes and international partnerships will also be added for the first time. The main additions are as follows –

Design for Bharat – This will be a national design challenge, which will have several stages. This developed India will be associated with the vision of@2047.

Tech for Viksit Bharat – Hack for a Social Cause-This will be a hackathon, in which technology solutions and prototypes will be built in different stages and its subject will be based on developed India@2047.

International Partnership – For the first time, youth will also join abroad. It will include the initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs Know India Program 80 youth, 20 representatives from BIMSTEC countries.

Outline of competition

Competitions at the state level will be held in selected nodal institutions.

Three-three members from each state/union territory will participate at the national level.

A total of 100 participants for Hacathon and Design Challenge will reach the national final and show their innovation.

Viksit Bharat Challenge Track – In 4 Stages

Phase I (Digital) – Quiz – 1 September to 15 October 2025

Phase II (Digital) – Essay Competition – 23 October to 5 November 2025

Phase III (In -Person) – PPT Challenge (State Level) – 24 November to 8 December 2025

Phase IV (In-Person)-Viksit Bharat Championship, National Youth Festival, New Delhi → 10 to 12 January 2026

Under this track, a total of 1,500 participants from states/union territories will reach national level.

Cultural & Design Track (3 Stages)

District Level – 1 September to 31 October 2025

State Level – 10 November to 1 December 2025

National Level – 10 to 12 January 2026

This track will have activities like speech, story writing, painting, folk songs, folk dances, poetry writing and innovation. In this, the best team of every category from every state/union territory will be selected for the national level.

Design for Bharat & Tech for Viksit Bharat – Hack for a Social Cause

At the state level, these competitions will be held in selected nodal institutions.

At the national level, 3 -member teams from every state/union territory will participate.

A total of 100 participants will reach the national final, including both tracks. He will represent the bright and talented young innovators in the country.

National level participation – January 2026

The Grand Finale of VBYLD 2026 will be held in New Delhi on 10–12 January 2026. It will include a total of 3,000 participants –

1,500 participants – from Viksit Bharat Challenge Track

1,000 participants – from Cultural & Design Track

100 participants – International Representative

400 special guests

Their mutual dialogues, discussions and presentations will create a lively atmosphere where new ideas, solutions and resolutions for nation building will be revealed.

Registration and participation

The VBYLD 2026 trip has already started. Registration for Quiz Round has been opened on My Bharat Portal MyBharat.gov.in. Every youth from here can begin to be a part of this national movement. The last date for registration for Quiz Round on MyBharat.gov.in is 15 October 2025.