National Awards To Honour Model Youth Gram Sabha Winners

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to recognise young champions of grassroots democracy through a National Award Ceremony for the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative on 28 January 2026 in New Delhi. The event reflects a growing emphasis on civic education and youth participation in India’s democratic institutions.

Inter-Ministerial Collaboration For Youth Engagement

The ceremony is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education and Literacy), and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. Union Ministers of State S. P. Singh Baghel and Sukanta Majumdar will grace the occasion, along with senior officials from education and tribal institutions.

Scale And Reach Of Model Youth Gram Sabha

The MYGS initiative has seen participation from over 28,000 students drawn from 619 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and 200 Eklavya Model Residential Schools across the country. Students engaged in simulated Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat proceedings, gaining hands-on exposure to local governance and democratic decision-making.

Live Demonstrations And Constitutional Learning

The inaugural session will feature live mock Gram Sabha demonstrations by Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Una in Himachal Pradesh and Eklavya Model Residential School, Kosambuda in Chhattisgarh. These demonstrations will showcase experiential learning and practical understanding of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system envisaged under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.

Important Facts for Exams

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment provides constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
• Model Youth Gram Sabha promotes civic education among school students.
• Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas are centrally funded residential schools.
• Eklavya Model Residential Schools focus on education of tribal students.

Recognition And Knowledge Dissemination

The award ceremony will honour winning schools and students for their exemplary understanding of grassroots governance. A comprehensive compendium documenting the transformative journey of the MYGS initiative will also be released. Around 900 participants, including students, teachers, elected PRI representatives, and key stakeholders, will attend, reinforcing the role of youth in strengthening India’s democratic foundations.