The second day of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 witnessed high-energy deliberations and thought-provoking interactions at Bharat Mandapam, as over 3,000 selected young leaders from across the country engaged with eminent policymakers, ministers and subject experts. The national-level dialogue is being organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.
The second edition of the Dialogue was formally inaugurated by Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya in the presence of National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Secretary Department of Youth Affairs Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Additional Secretary Shri Nitesh Kumar Mishra and other senior officials. The inaugural ceremony began with a floral tribute to Swami Vivekananda, followed by the lighting of the ceremonial lamp.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted the massive national outreach of the programme, noting that nearly 50 lakh youth participated in the initial stages. Of these, three lakh were shortlisted for essay submissions across ten thematic tracks, followed by state-level presentations by 30,000 youth. From this rigorous process, 3,000 young leaders were selected to participate in the national championship and present their ideas before Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He described VBYLD as a grassroots leadership model aimed at nurturing future leaders without political backing and emphasised that building a Viksit Bharat requires collective effort guided by discipline, dedication and a ‘Nation First’ mindset.
In his keynote address, National Security Advisor Shri Ajit Doval underlined that right decisions and discipline shape the destiny of individuals and nations alike. Sharing insights from his own experiences, he urged young leaders to cultivate decision-making skills, long-term commitment and implementation-focused thinking. He stressed that challenges should be seen as opportunities and advised youth to convert discipline into daily motivation. Shri Doval also interacted with participants during an engaging question-and-answer session.
Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, in her welcome address, said the Dialogue marked the culmination of a five-month nationwide process and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to integrating youth voices into policymaking. She also highlighted initiatives such as the Viksit Bharat Run held across 144 cities, showcasing India’s growing soft power and youth participation.
Following the plenary session, participants dispersed into ten thematic tracks, each mentored by eminent policymakers, industry leaders, sportspersons and subject experts. These tracks covered diverse areas including youth in democracy, women-led development, health and sports, start-ups, cultural diplomacy, innovation rooted in tradition, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, sustainable agriculture, green development and building a future-ready workforce. Interactive discussions and presentations enabled participants to refine ideas, exchange perspectives and receive expert guidance.
As part of the programme, young leaders also visited the Prime Ministers’ Museum and Library to gain insights into India’s democratic and leadership heritage. The day concluded with state-wise interactions and dinner engagements at the residences of Union Ministers and Members of Parliament, fostering mentorship and informal dialogue.
Day two of VBYLD 2026 concluded on a forward-looking note, reaffirming the central role of youth in India’s nation-building journey. The Dialogue will culminate on 12 January, when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will interact directly with the young leaders. The upcoming sessions will include interactions with ISRO astronauts, continued thematic deliberations and cultural events celebrating the spirit of Viksit Bharat.
