Centre Launches ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ in Varanasi

In a significant initiative to tackle the challenge of drug abuse, the central government has launched a nationwide youth-led national movement, ‘Nasha Mukt ‘Yuva for Viksit Bharat. The initiative was launched at the recently concluded Youth Spiritual Summit in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The Youth Spiritual Summit, held on 19-20 July 2025, adopted a ‘Kashi Declaration’ that outlined a series of initiatives to be undertaken to lay the foundation for a national youth-led anti-drug campaign in the country. 

The summit was part of the central government’s campaign under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (Drug-Free India Movement), which aims to tackle substance abuse through youth-led initiatives.

Theme of the Youth Spiritual  Summit 

• The theme of the Youth Spiritual Summit was- Drug-Free Youth for a Viksit Bharat.
• The Government of India has set a target to make India a Viksit Bharat (Developed Country) by 2047. 2047 also marks the 100th year of India’s independence.

Who Inaugurated the Youth Spiritual Summit? 

The two-day Youth Spiritual Summit was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, on 19 July 2025 at the Rudraksh International Cooperation and Convention Centre in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Organisers and Participants of the Youth Spiritual Summit

The Youth Spiritual Summit was organised by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports under the MY Bharat initiative of the ministry.

MY Bharat is an initiative of the Ministry that aims to empower citizens between the ages of 15 and 29 through social mobility, educational equity, and practical skills.

Participant

The summit saw the participation of various Union Ministries: Health, Social Justice, and Culture.

Various enforcement bodies, such as the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and medical institutions like AIIMS, also participated in the Summit.

The summit, inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s message of self-discipline and service to the nation, underscored the role of spiritual and moral strength among youth in tackling addiction. Thus, with strong emphasis on spirituality, around 600 youth representatives from over 120 spiritual organisations across the country participated in the Summit.

Kashi Declaration 

The Kashi Declaration laid down a roadmap for an intensive and sustained youth-led mass anti-drug awareness movement in the country.

It outlines specific targets, assigns responsibilities, and sets clear implementation timelines.

The progress achieved will be reviewed at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026.

The  Ministry organises the National Youth Festival to honour the ideals and thoughts of Swami Vivekananda.

It is held alongside the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on 12 January, which is celebrated as National Youth Day in India.

Since 2025, the Ministry has renamed the National Youth Festival as the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.