Draft National Youth Policy

Draft National Youth Policy- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Governance, Administration and Challenges- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Recently, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports invited suggestions on the draft National Youth Policy.
The Government has reviewed the existing draft National Youth Policy, 2014 and prepared a new draft National Youth Policy (NYP).

About: The Draft National Youth Policy (NYP) envisages a ten-year vision for youth development that India seeks to achieve by 2030.
Associate Ministry: Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Sports is responsible for drafting and implantation of the Draft National Sports Policy.
Objectives: The draft NYP seeks to catalyze widespread action on youth development across five priority areas viz.-
- Education;
- Employment & entrepreneurship;
- Youth leadership & development;
- Health, fitness & sports; and
- Social justice.
Significance:
- Draft National Youth Policy (NYP) is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serves to ‘unlock the potential of the youth to advance India’.
- Each priority area is underpinned by the principle of social inclusion keeping in view the interests of the marginalized sections.

The NYP 2021 draws a detailed roadmap toward the vision outlined for the youth in the coming decade and delineates the actions within each priority area.

The Draft National Youth Policy (NYP) envisions an education system that imparts career opportunities and life skills to all young people.
It ensures that the youth have access to sustainable livelihood opportunities that encourages them to-
- Stay within and revive the rural economy,
- Generate employment via microregion-specific strategies,
- Foster entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship, and
- Support the informal and gig economy.
To develop India’s youth, both men and women, as leaders of tomorrow, the NYP 2021 prescribes-
- Strengthening the volunteering ecosystem,
- Expanding opportunities for leadership development and
- Mobilising technology to establish a vibrant youth enablement platform.
The Draft National Youth policy purports a progressive and essential approach to mobilising technology and data to improve healthcare delivery and specific interventions to provide the marginalised youth with access to quality healthcare.
- The Draft National Youth policy also proposes strengthening the overall fitness of youth by building a vibrant culture of sports and fitness.
The Draft National Youth policy outlines actions that will empower the youth and ensure their safety, strengthen the legal system for the quick delivery of justice and provide holistic support for the rehabilitation of juveniles.
- Special efforts are prescribed to ensure social justice for marginalised and vulnerable youths.