Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (Department of School Education & Literacy) and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) initiative in New Delhi. The launch also included the unveiling of the Training Module on MYGS and the MYGS Portal, marking a major milestone in promoting youth engagement in grassroots democracy.
Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS)
Objective:
- To strengthen Janbhagidari (people’s participation) and promote participatory local governance by engaging school students in simulated Gram Sabha sessions, nurturing civic awareness, democratic values, and leadership skills among youth.
Alignment:
- Aligned with: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
- Vision: To inculcate values of transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in line with the national goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
- Approach: Experiential & activity-based learning to understand the real-world functioning of democracy at the village level.
Implementation Details:
| Parameter | Details |
| Implementing Ministries | Ministry of Panchayati Raj (Lead), Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
| Target Institutions | Over 1,000 schools including: – Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) – Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) – State Government Schools |
| Participants | Students from Classes 9 to 12 |
| Financial Support | ₹20,000 per school by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to conduct mock Gram Sabha sessions |
| Mode | Conducted as mock Gram Sabha sessions simulating village-level meetings |
Key Features:
- Simulated Roles: Students will act as Sarpanch, Ward Members, Village Secretary, Anganwadi Worker, etc.
- Decision-making Practice: They will discuss local issues, prepare village budgets, and formulate development plans in mock meetings.
Learning Experience:
- Promotes leadership, teamwork, and civic responsibility.
- Enhances understanding of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and their functioning.
- Encourages participation and accountability through experiential learning.
Training Module & Portal:
- The Training Module on MYGS and the MYGS Portal were launched to provide online resources, guidelines, and interactive learning support.
Future Expansion:
- The Ministry also plans to extend this model to urban areas through Model Ward Sabhas, enabling students in cities to understand participatory governance and community leadership.
Significance
Bridging Education and Governance:
- Connects classroom learning with real-life democratic processes, enhancing the civic consciousness of youth.
Promotes Janbhagidari:
- Encourages youth to experience and understand grassroots democracy, echoing the “Sabka Prayas” spirit.
Leadership & Confidence Building:
- Helps develop communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills among students.
Supports NEP 2020 Goals:
- Fosters activity-based learning and citizenship education as envisioned under the policy.
Nation-building Impact:
- Lays the foundation for a generation of responsible and informed citizens, essential for a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Key Facts
| Category | Details |
| Gram Sabha (Constitutional Basis) | Article 243(b) of the Indian Constitution defines Gram Sabha as a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the Panchayat area. |
| Panchayati Raj System | Introduced by 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992; came into effect on April 24, 1993. |
| Ministry of Panchayati Raj | Established in 2004; Responsible for the implementation of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and schemes like eGramSwaraj and RGSA. |
| Related Schemes | Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) – for capacity building of PRIs. – eGramSwaraj Portal – digital record of Panchayat development. SVAMITVA Scheme – for mapping rural inhabited lands using drones. |
| National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 | Focuses on experiential learning, holistic development, and civic education. |
| Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) | Autonomous schools under Ministry of Education, established in 1986 under the National Policy on Education, 1986. |
| Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) | Run under Ministry of Tribal Affairs, aimed at providing quality education to ST students in remote areas. |
| Janbhagidari | Refers to people’s participation – a key governance principle in India’s development model. |