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Education Minister Pradhan meets with the youth of Chhattisgarh in New Delhi
At the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met with student delegates from Chhattisgarh on June 11, 2026, during the Yuva Sangam Phase VI. The event, which appeared at 8:30 PM on the PIB, was arranged by the Higher Education Department, Ministry of Education, as a continuation of the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative.
The Chhattisgarh delegation, which included IIT Bhilai, was invited by IIT Delhi for a six-day immersive exchange in the capital, taking place from June 8 to June 13, 2026. Yuva Sangam Phase VI, a short video, was screened at the event prior to the Minister's address for a brief cultural exchange.
Yuva Sangam Phase VI event summary:
- Date- June 11, 2026, Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi
- Lead Delegation- Student delegates from Chhattisgarh (IIT Bhilai)
- Host Institution- IIT Delhi (June 8 to June 13, 2026)
- Other Speaker(s)- Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education
- PIB Release ID: 2271878
The attendees conveyed their gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the Education Ministry for the opportunity during the open session.
What the Statement Entailed and What to Make of It
Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan spoke to the delegates about how Yuva Sangam allows the youth to see India outside of textbooks and classrooms. This initiative will help the youth understand the different aspects of the country, including its cultural multiplicity, its developmental programs, and its priorities at the national level. He mentioned that the interactions of youth from various states promote the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
Dharmendra Pradhan had a straightforward message for the students. He referred to the youth of the country as the driving force of Viksit Bharat 2047 and told the delegates from Chhattisgarh to use the experience to bring about real change. He talked about the role of experiential learning and cultural exchange in enriching one’s outlook and advised the delegates to take the knowledge gained through the program back to their respective communities.
Besides that, the students were addressed by Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education. He mentioned that programs such as the Yuva Sangam promote flexibility and the ability to work in a team, which are not taught in traditional school programs. He asked the students to keep the friendships they made during this period and to work for a connected India that is self-assured and aware of its place in the world.
What Students Really Experience Under the Yuva Sangam Phase VI
The delegates from Chhattisgarh toured various institutions, developmental projects and sites in Delhi. This provided an opportunity for the delegates to be familiarized with the governance of the capital and digital Public Services, as well as the developmental projects of the city, its urban planning and architectural structures, heritage sites, public National institutions, and Delhi’s representation in the Indian parliamentary democracy, thus providing them with an opportunity to see the working of democracy and the economy in India.
More specifically, Yuva Sangam Phase VI aims to provide the following, which is organised along five thematic pillars:
- Paryatan (Tourism): visitation of heritage sites & landmarks
- Parampara (Traditions and Culture): exposure to regional arts, food & language
- Pragati (Development and Governance): involvement with public institutions and policies
- Paraspar Sampark (People-to-People Connect): bonding with peers across state boundaries
- Prodyogiki (Technology and Innovation): engagement with research and innovation infrastructure
Yuva Sangam Phase VI, launched by the Department of Higher Education, under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative, covers 22 paired States and Union Territories, facilitated by 22 nodal Higher Education Institutions. The program is targeted toward youth, including students and young professionals, aged 18 to 30. The previous Phase alone recorded over 46,000 registrations, showcasing the demand for the program. Since the program's inception, over 6,000 youth and coordinators have participated across all Phases. Interested Students can register by visiting ebsb.aicte-india.org and ekbharat.gov.in.
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