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Nasha Mukt Yuva Campaign for Viksit Bharat and Drug-Free Youth

Source:PIB ↗

Why It Matters

This initiative is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it bridges public health, social justice, and youth empowerment under the broader framework of maximizing India's demographic dividend. It demonstrates a multi-stakeholder governance model—incorporating spiritual groups, civil society (Kashi Declaration), and digital platforms (MY Bharat)—to tackle the internal security and social crisis of substance abuse.

Summary

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the \'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan\', a 100-week nationwide campaign aimed at fostering a drug-free youth population to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The initiative, scaling up from a pilot in Kashi and supported by the \'Kashi Declaration\' of spiritual organizations, utilizes the MY Bharat platform to engage youth in constructive activities every Sunday. The campaign focuses on removing the social stigma around rehabilitation and emphasizes that securing India\'s demographic dividend requires youth who are physically healthy, mentally robust, and free from substance abuse.

Key Points

  • PM Modi launched a 100-week nationwide campaign called \'Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan\' to create a drug-free youth generation essential for India\'s development goals by 2047.
  • Originating from a pilot project in Kashi, the movement is supported by over 125 spiritual organizations and NGOs under the \'Kashi Declaration\'.
  • The initiative utilizes the \'MY Bharat\' digital platform to mobilize millions of volunteers, integrating activities like art, culture, sports, and meditation every Sunday.
  • The campaign highlights the need to destigmatize addiction recovery, urging families to prioritize medical intervention over social prestige.
  • The Prime Minister emphasized that substance abuse directly threatens India\'s demographic dividend and holistic national strength, contrasting the destructive habit with youth achievements in startups, AI, and space.

Important Terms

Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan

A 100-week nationwide campaign launched to foster a drug-free generation. It mobilizes youth through weekly Sunday activities like sports and awareness drives to combat substance abuse.

UPSC context

GS-2 (Social Justice/Health). Tests awareness of government strategies targeting drug demand reduction and youth empowerment.

Source
Kashi Declaration

A consensus adopted by spiritual and youth organizations to treat substance abuse as a societal challenge, proposing a 'whole-of-society' approach involving spiritual, cultural, and educational efforts for de-addiction.

UPSC context

GS-2 (Governance). Illustrates the integration of civil society and spiritual institutions in solving public health and social issues.

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Viksit Bharat @2047

The Government of India's vision to transform the country into a fully developed, self-reliant nation by its centennial of independence, focusing on economic, social, and sustainable growth.

UPSC context

GS-2 & GS-3 (Development). Central to long-term macro-policy goals and demographic dividend utilization strategies.

Source
MY Bharat

Mera Yuva Bharat is an autonomous body and 'phygital' portal under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, providing youth with volunteering, experiential learning, and civic participation opportunities.

UPSC context

GS-2 (E-governance/Human Resources). Tests knowledge of digital platforms aimed at youth empowerment and national service.

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National Service Scheme (NSS)

A flagship central sector scheme launched in 1969 to promote community service, volunteerism, and social responsibility among students through a nationwide network of educational institutions.

UPSC context

GS-2 (Social Sector). Important for understanding state-backed student involvement in community development and nation-building.

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Prelims Trap

The Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat campaign is fully executed and managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

While drug demand reduction and the original Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) fall under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this new youth-focused campaign specifically leverages the 'MY Bharat' platform, which is administered by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Static Concepts Connected

Polity & Governance

What is the constitutional and statutory framework for drug control in India?

  • Article 47: Directs the State to endeavor to bring about prohibition of the consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs injurious to health.
  • NDPS Act 1985: Serves as the primary legislative mechanism to restrict, regulate, and penalize operations relating to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
  • UN Conventions: India is a signatory to the 1961, 1971, and 1988 UN conventions, aligning domestic enforcement with international drug-control standards.
Economy & Social Development

How does substance abuse impact India's demographic dividend?

  • Demographic Dividend: Refers to economic growth potential when the working-age population (15-64) exceeds the non-working-age population, set to peak in India around 2041.
  • Dependency Ratio: The ratio of dependents to the working-age population; drug addiction artificially inflates this by turning active youth into economically non-productive dependents.
  • SDG Target 3.5: Targets the strengthening of prevention and treatment of substance abuse, acting as a crucial global metric for human capital development.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Border security + Narcotic pipelines

    India's proximity to the Golden Triangle and Crescent transforms drug addiction from a domestic health crisis into a hybrid internal security threat targeting youth in vulnerable border states.

  • Phygital governance + Social welfare

    Using the 'MY Bharat' digital platform showcases 'phygital' public service delivery, shifting social welfare from traditional bureaucratic administration to active, tech-driven youth governance.

Prelims 2026 may test the dual ministerial roles of MoSJE and Youth Affairs in executing national drug-demand reduction platforms.

Linked PYQs · 4

Linked PYQs · 4

  • 2016MainsGS2

    Demographic Dividend in India will remain only theoretical unless our manpower becomes more educated, aware, skilled and creative." What measures have been taken by the government to enhance the capacity of our population to be more productive and employable?

  • 2018MainsGS3

    India's proximity to two of the world's biggest illicit opium-growing states has enhanced her internal security concerns. Explain the linkages between drug trafficking and other illicit activities such as gunrunning, money laundering and human trafficking. What counter-measures should be taken to prevent the same?

  • 2023MainsGS2

    The crucial aspect of development process has been the inadequate attention paid to Human Resource Development in India. Suggest measures that can address this inadequacy.

  • 2023MainsGS3

    The use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by our adversaries across the borders to ferry arms/ammunitions, drugs, etc., is a serious threat to the internal security. Comment on the measures being taken to tackle this threat.