Draft National Youth Policy 2025 Released for Comments

The Department of Youth Affairs has published the draft of the National Youth Policy, 2025, which envisions supporting every young Indian with quality education, future-ready skills, and a strong sense of cultural rootedness. The previous policies in 1988, 2003, and 2014 were inadequate to support the future-ready, technology-enabled, and aspirational framework that aligns with current reality.

Sports and recreation form one of the six key areas of focus in the NYP 2025. The policy envisions a targeted approach towards physical education in schools, talent identification, and improved access for young women, rural youth, and Divyangjan through community sports initiatives and youth clubs. It also seeks to promote meaningful avenues for self-expression and community engagement across both physical and digital spaces. In that direction, the policy takes an encouraging stance on media literacy, critical thinking, safe online behaviour, and support for the creator economy.

Moreover, as podcasts, online gaming, esports, and other digital pursuits gain traction, cyber hygiene practices, balanced digital engagement, and cyber safety are crucial to address. The policy also stresses the need for inclusive offline spaces such as community playgrounds, youth centres, and accessible sports facilities.

The autonomous umbrella body Mera Yuva (MY) Bharat provides institutional and community infrastructure to strengthen and streamline youth engagement and development schemes. Through an online portal, resource centres, a national service scheme and various other programs, the body engages, empowers, and enables India’s youth.